Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 89: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

DOING 7n MEXICO by/ CHESTER T- ARLOAD of freight for you on the siding this morning, Uncle CROWELL Dudley,” Sam Tupper an- | C nounced immediately after they had greeted each other and joined the hur- rying throng of six persons who formally opened Santa Maria each morning. The daily rush of morning traffic along Main Street was produced by the cashier and assistant cashier of the bank; the post- mistress, the proprietor of the general store, ditto of the hardware store, and the station agent. These six in addition to Zachariah Beadle, familiarly known as Uncle Dudley, and his young assistant, Sam Tupper, con- stituted the business element or as London might say, the middle class of Santa Maria, Texas. Since Main Street was only three blocks long, the sudden appearance of eight persons all going in the same direction was something of an event even if it did occur daily. In a way—and quite prop- erly—this event was associated with the dawn, and the calendar. At the mention of a carload of freight Uncle Dudley’s face clouded, and Sam wondered if his superior had _ possibly embarked upon a speculation which was not prospering. It was difficult to say just what a carload of freight might imply, because of the wide range of Uncle Dudley’s business activities. He was a ranchman, dealer in real estate, ranches and farms, buyer and seller of wool, hides and cotton, occasional im- porter of pecans, limes and dried red pepper, former county judge and at present politi- cal boss, notary public and attorney. It will therefore be more or less clear that Sam Tupper didn’t know exactly what the box car might contain. Working for Uncle Dudley as his confidential lieutenant was not with- out excitement and pleasant uncertainty. On a Tuesday, for instance, one might be loading bales of cotton on to a flat car; on Wednesday acting as presiding officer in an election booth; on Thursday as witness in a trial, and on Friday as auctioneer of cattle or horses obtained by foreclosure. Sam was fortunately not fond of regularity and routine. So he liked his job. Observing that mention of the carload of freight failed to bring joy to Uncle Dudley he decided to change the subject, though it was difficult for him to understand the failure of that first remark. On a single- track line of railroad the actual and visible arrival of a carload of tangible freight is always exciting. Sam had enjoyed a hearty breakfast of two catfish fried with crisp bacon, hot biscuits, molasses and three cups of black coffee. He simply had to share his good feeling with some one. “IT was down to the Rio Grande last night, fishing,” he said. ‘‘“There was camp- fires, millions of them, on the other side. Something’s doing in Mexico, I think.” Uncle Dudley seemed positively pained by this harmless statement, so Sam gave up and they walked the remaining block to the office in silence. 79 micloool (© inn