Richard F. Mann

“ I think that a life like that would be damn slow, and it's not in my nature to live like that. I love all this excitement—all this uncertainty, and most of all, I could never be true to one man, because—well, because when I see a man that arouses my interest, I could never resist the impulse to satisfy my curiosity, so—what good would I be with a husband—I'd only make the poor guy miserable, or else cause him to kill me—I know me, like no one else does."
"You are right there, Mickey," said Pearl. ”

“ El Paso, city of one hundred thousand, not counting the nearby towns and villages. Noon, the sun maddening with its terrific heat, asphalt in the street so soft that your foot-print is left in it on crossing, only the business that has to be done is all that is going on. ”

“ I won't have to think so much now—Hooray—let us drink—Oh, damn it—there ain't no more whiskey."
"Never mind, dear, we will soon be in Juarez," said Pearl, as she pulled the hat down over the patch on her eye.
"The way you have that hat on, you would hardly notice that eye," remarked Evelyn, as she arranged her dress.
"Don't you worry, that herd of hawk-eyed whores will see it long before I get there. Any time some woman's man socks her in the eye, it travels by mental telepathy—not that they have any mental capacity, but even the most lowly animal has instinct—therefore they would know it." ”

“ If he gave her a black eye for lying, what will he do to her when he finds out you or some other guy is playing around his duck's nest?"
"Don't worry, Ev. Pearl's too clever for that—anytime I fall for a woman I know she is clever," laughed Harry assuredly.
"That may be all well and good, but I'm damned if I care to be around when the thing happens," said Evelyn, as she guzzled some more coffee.
"You didn't tell me what they did to Negro Noche about that shooting last night, and what did they do with Irene's body?" asked Pearl. ”

“ Didn't I tell you about that guy—I told you not to try to kid him, or lie to him. He is the meanest louse that ever lived when he loses his temper, and if you go ahead and play around with him, you won't only get another black eye, but you'll get a beating, and one that you will remember. I know him, and I also know his reputation. It's like I said—that guy is a killer, and if you go on fooling with him, and he ever catches you with Harry, he'll kill you as sure as you're born. I'm not saying I told you so, or any of that stuff. ”

“ The night was beginning as they unloaded in Juarez.
"Oh, Jees——" said Evelyn, "don't look, but there is Big Boy just getting off the rear of the car—let's disappear pronto." They ran up the block and into the darkness.
"Do you think he will suspect where we are going?" asked Pearl.
"I don't think so. He will probably figure you will make right for Harry, and that's where he will go, and wait for you," reasoned Mickey as they made their way on up the dimly lighted street to the Popular Bar. ”

“ Harry took Pearl in his arms, gave her a big hug, and then kissed her.
"Oh, Harry—what will people think?"
"Look all around you," said Evelyn, "Not a soul has noticed you."
"What are you having to drink, Harry?" asked the bartender.
"Whiskey, pal," answered Harry; then to Pearl, "Listen, honey, are you doing anything tonight? I'm going on a party, and it may be a bit rough, but would you like to come? I know you will have a good time."
"I know all about the party, darling, and Ev and I are both going, aren't we, Ev?" ”

“ Men whose wives in their drunken stupor wanted to stay in Juarez; men with women that they had picked up, but were too drunk to walk, were thrown over their shoulders, and carried like a bag of meal to the American side of the bridge; drunken women helping women more drunk than they, with the occasional leaning over the side of the bridge to let off some of the last of the liquid cargo they had taken on at the last bar.
Pearl, Evelyn and Mickey were among the last to come across, with Pearl and Mickey leading Evelyn, who was too drunk to make it alone. ”

“ I'm taking this leg and hock it—to Hell with him—the thing that makes me sore is anyone trying to pull a lousy trick like that on me—can you believe it?" fumed Mickey.
"Come back here with my leg, you bitch. If I get my hands on you, I'll wring your damn neck."
"Go to Hell," screamed Mickey, "You'll pay me more than two dollars to get this leg back."
"Pipe down, Mickey," shushed Evelyn, "If Guts hears you, he'll raise Hell right."
"A thousand pardons, Senoritas, but what is this trouble—and you—what are you doing with the Senor's leg?" came the voice of Guts from behind the trio. ”

“ I never thought of him as anything but a big kid and I always treated him as one—Harry is a damn good guy as far as I know, and I don't think that he has [Pg 38] an enemy in the world, but don't make the mistake that lots of the other girls have made with Harry—he likes all the girls, and what's more, he couldn't be true to any one for five minutes, not even himself—he's like millions of other men; to him a woman is for one thing, and when he is through, he is through—so the only way to impress him is to never—never let him know that he means any more to you than the lowest Cholo. ”

“ The rooms in this establishment are furnished with only the bare necessities of a room—a bed, a chair, sometimes a rocker, sometimes with the rockers broken off, but still used as a chair, a rug on the floor, but never a big one, or a good one, and the bathroom, but never in the history of Juarez has the hotel water heater ever been known to work, never any toilet paper, but a pile of newspapers stacked in the corner, a mirror, a cracked one, but still usable, if you are not particular—and one seldom is—when one is on a party. ”

“ You know that big guy they call Big Boy? You and he have been more less rivals for some time, and I know you are very good friends. You know the guy pretty well—you have seen him go on a rampage and wreck a place, then pay for it. Well—he's nuts for Pearl, and he is the one who gave her the black eye because she lied to him about last night, then he gave her a thousand bucks, and this apartment, and anything else she wants—now, what I'm coming to—this guy wants to marry her—I know that will floor you—and he means it. Pearl is taking all he can give her. ”

“ If we can, we will gather the fellows that we know to get the whiskey, and make it a rip-roaring, bang-up party—what do you say?"
"O. K. with me—how about you, Pearl?" asked Evelyn.
"Whatever you all say is right with me."
"I've fallen for a new boy friend. I don't know what his name is, but they call him Dusty, and is he good looking, and can he fight? But—he's another one of those that haven't got a dime, but still, I sure can have a swell time with him. I'll call him right now, and see if he can get the rest of the boys," enthused Mickey. ”

“ They rushed over to the hospital, where they were told that Pearl was resting easy, and there was nothing serious but cuts and bruises, of which there were many.
"Ah, gee, kid, I'm sorry," said Evelyn, as she came to the bed where Pearl lay bandaged, "How do you feel?"
"Awful, honey—how is Harry? They haven't told me yet. Will you find out for me?"
"Sure, I'll find out for you. Mickey you stay here until I come back."
"That guy's a dirty louse to beat you up this way, but don't you worry, dear, you will be all right. ”

“ Pearl and Evelyn were sitting on a fallen headstone, drinking and discussing the injustice of life, to them in particular, and to all in general. They had just killed the first quart when the first bunch [Pg 170] of girls, headed by Mickey, came into the cemetery—some were dressed as though they were going to a party, others in street suits, but none in mourning, as mourning could only be used once in a great while, so why buy mourning for the one funeral, and be stuck with something you couldn't wear to hustle in. ”

“ Well, I was sitting on the running board of the car on the off side, when you all got in, but I didn't sit there long."
"Why?" asked Evelyn.
"Honey, riding a wild horse is tame beside trying to sit on that fender," laughed Mickey. "Well, I'll see you all tonight at the party, as soon as the bridge closes." She waved as she went on down the street.
"Don't you get sore at nothing anybody says to you—she is a good scout, Pearl, and when you know her better you will like her, I'm sure." ”

“ The girls who have been raped, and really in their hearts didn't want to be, were the only ones that have been found dead, after an awful fight. No man can really rape a girl who doesn't want to be raped just a little. I know from actual experience."
"You're both right," said Evelyn, as she reached for the coffee pot, for her second cup of coffee. "This coffee hits me right where I sit this morning—it sure tastes good."
"Well, I gotta get dressed and start for town. I gotta date with Big Boy, but I can't for the life of me remember what time it was for. What are you going to do tonight, Ev?" ”

“ The only thing we have to be careful of is the quicksands—they are as treacherous as Hell," as they started to wade into the river.
"Watch your step," said Evelyn.
"Jees—that water is cold—hold tight to my hand, Pearl, and don't let go," said Mickey, as she took hold of Pearl, who was in the middle.
"We are in the midst of a lot of quicksand here—I can't seem to find bottom any further than I am standing. Let go of me, Pearl, and I'll wade around a bit and see if I can find a more solid place." ”

“ I've never seen so many scars."
"Well, you see," explained Evelyn, "Mickey is the only woman in Juarez, or the world, for that matter, that—if a fight starts in Juarez, and she is on the U. S. side—she is sure to get into the fight before it is over. I've seen her with a bottle so deep in her skull it looked like a feather."
"Darling," said Harry, "My brother loaned me his car, just as I told you. Shall we take a little ride when you are through eating?"
"I'd love to, dear—I've never been riding around El Paso since I've been here, but where will we go?" ”

“ As the fighting came nearer the river, two huge armored cars, with French 75's mounted, rolled near the International Bridge, muzzles lowering menacingly, toward Mexico.
A scream came from down to the left of the bridge, as a mother grabbed up her little one in her arms, running toward the street. The child had been killed by a stray bullet.
Phones began to buzz at Fort Bliss, saying that the bullets from the fighting were falling thick and fast on the American side, and that one had already found its mark. ”

“ The American Consul says in a statement in the paper that he cannot be responsible for American citizens who go over to Juarez just to have a good time, and that only those who have business and have to go over are the only ones to go over—Well, in my business it's necessary for me to go over—but you having a man who has money, on the string, you don't have to go over—but I can see by the expression in the one good eye of yours that you will have important business in Juarez—will you not, Miss Jones? ”

“ Pearl grabbed Evelyn's hand and started running for the car.
"My Heavens," exclaimed Evelyn, "This street car reminds me of some Madam's parlor—there's five girls I know—hello, gang."
"O. K., Ev. How is the biggest liquor and beer consumer today?" asked one of the girls.
"I'm fine. Girls, this is Pearl. She is a newcomer in our midst, and a good scout—Pearl, this is the girls—find out their names for yourself. ”

“ He is a louse to his wife—but—damn—he's good to me. He paid my rent for a month, and opened me a charge account at the White House, and gives me twenty bucks a month."
"Don't this place have but the one waiter for all these people?" asked Pearl.
"Just the one dear; Frank is his name, and he takes his time, but he's a good scout—wait, I'll go and get you some water—gee, but you are sweet. Boy—oh—boy, I'd love to cut you," said Harry, as he kissed her on the ear and went for the water. ”

“ Our government figures that if you are out of your own country, that's your business—and it's your business to protect yourself. Look at Nicaragua, Panama, Haiti, as well as our nearby Mexico. When anyone of our American citizens are knocked off, said government sends a note of apology to our Consul, saying they are sorry—but that don't bring your life back. Believe me, if you are an American, and you're in some other [Pg 91] country, my advice is to keep your mouth shut, or affect an English accent."
"Well, surely they will do something with that woman that did the shooting," argued Pearl. ”

“ Ah, Hell—give me another drink—the world's all haywire."
"Hell, I'm not going to stay in this room all day. I want to go out, at least for a little while. I know, Ev—let's you and I go get an apartment—you come with me and help me hunt."
"Why go hunting apartments? If you really want to be swell, then take an apartment in the Hussman Hotel. They got the swellest in this town, and there's no use taking anything but the swellest, since Big Boy is going to pay the bill." ”

“ Men, horses, legs, arms, heads, blood, manure, and guns were scattered and strewn for blocks, the engine whistling, bell ringing, men screaming, groaning, dying, the Federal troops running to meet the rebels, the engine derailed in the middle of the street, the hissing of escaping steam, rebels pouring out of box-cars, running into the fight, screaming "Vive, La Mexico." ”

“ The Federals of Mexico were taken to Fort Bliss and quartered until they could be sent back to Mexico—they weren't prisoners—they were more refugees than anything else.
The rest of the day and night was spent in drinking, dancing, singing and general hilarity. Juarez was never more gay or wild—looting was indulged in—in a big way; every safe was opened. The rebels needed gold, and American money, whether paper or silver, was gold to them—the girls getting their share of the loot. ”

“ Day was just beginning to break over the horizon.
"Where are you Senoritas going?" asked one of the Mexicans.
"Home," said Evelyn.
[Pg 192] "I'm veer sorry, Senorita, but the Americans will not let you through the gates."
"Well, we will see about that," as they neared the huge wire gates. "Hey—you—how's to let a couple of ladies through—we want to get home."
"Sorry, sister, we got orders to open these gates to no one," came the answer.
"Well, you got a Hell of a nerve—we're American citizens, and I demand that you let us through." ”

“ O. K., we will have another drink, but Pearl, you are only fooling yourself—you may say to Hell with them for now, but when you get up today, you will feel different about them. I know—I've said the same thing every night for the past five years. You can't settle it like that—if it were only possible to settle one's feelings like that it would make a lot of difference in people's lives—tomorrow you will go on thinking you can see Harry every night, and how you can chisel Big Boy at the same time, without the other being positive of just what you are doing—Honey, I know what I'm talking about. ”

“ She arose from the bed, went to the phone, and called Evelyn's apartment and left a message for her to call as soon as she came in.
The door opened slowly, as Big Boy came in, loaded with candy and fruit and flowers.
"My God, what all have you got there?" asked Pearl, as she looked at him with the one good eye.
"Some little things you might like, Pearl. You can have anything you want, no matter what it is. Will you please forgive me?" ”

“ He is as easy to handle as a kid, but Pearl, he is a killer. I know him, and I know what he will do. So, if you want to marry him, and settle down, your nest will be feathered and in a big way, but don't try to kid him if you ain't serious—be frank about it—tell him the truth and then lay off him, or else be all for him. He gave me this money to talk for him, and to tell you what a great guy he is, and try to talk you into marrying him—I ain't telling you what to do and I ain't telling you what [Pg 37] not to do—but don't kid him, and don't promise nothing you can't make good. ”