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About The Times-herald. (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929 | View Entire Issue (May 31, 1919)
wkw .jBuflkVHWUn ) VIM mfw 1mLM "ff TTa i? VaOy mw ivf Itf (fcf v. CHAPTER XIX. Tsi'2& RVERj EDNAH AIKEN or. XR i' WU'iCKi imiI, liuWlnit Itghl nnd left, hi right IimikI orcnsiotuiiiy extended In hit wall -known oratorical, courteous gsaturo. ills hlgcli tie us . i f .I....... 1.1.. .!. . l.i crowded hotel dining i "'""p"1 "'"" "" """; '" iiiiick ciiMiirs ni'ic i ni himsi' ior mi More Oratory. Four men sal nl n smiill table In a corner of tin room, In Kl Centra. Tlii'lr mimes nuiiiii their corner the psychological center of the room. Mnrshnll WU ill Ways n t:in;ot of speculation. Mile- Lean, straight mul soldierly in his mustard-colored clothes, waa,aa usual, ; the man oi dlsttncttob. Black start ed the whisper going thnt the dark stranger wsa General da in Vega, the Mexican conitnlsaioaer. What wns he doing In thnt group? Babcock completed a combination which encouraged speculations and bead-ahaklngs. The room whs Jammed with vnlley men. The im-ctlng of the ranchers uml the several water com nnlas bad been called for thnt after noon, the summons Signed ly Kara day himself. Nothing alas had been talked of for a fortnight. It was known throughout the valley that the work at the Intake wns not yet begun; thnt Itlekard was waiting there for orders; that Faraday nnd the president of the United States were Involved in correspondence as to the responsibility for the future con trol of the river. Faraday's eagerness to shift his hurden was looked upon as suspicions. It was In the ulr that the officers of the Overland Pacific would demand a recall of the damage suits before they would complete the protective works nt the Heading. The men of long vision, members of tho wuter companies, and Brandon. through the vulley Star, were pointing out that the valley's salvation depend cd on the Immediate control of the river; that the railroad, only, had ! power to effect It, These conservatives were counseling cnutlon. Only that morning, the Star had Issued an extra, a special edition pleading for ca-uperu tlon. "If the river breaks out iignlnY warned Brandon's etijtorial, 'without immediate force to restrain It, recla mation, for that valley la a dream that is done. And the only force equal to that emergency is the railroad. Why deliberately antagonise ffle1 railroad?? The Desert Itiiffnmsrlmri r company, tf. lrf well known, IshuuJmipi. J'or Jhul mutant, the railroad has assumed the responsibilities of the smaller orgnol rat Ion. Apply" ! 'the. same . ) t Uatlon to. Individuals. Suppose a private citizen Is In .sjralts, und another comes for ward ro help him. Must every cred itor aasnme that the Samaritan should pay the crushed citizen's bills? In the present ensue, self-interest should urge consideration. Better a small loss today that tomorrow may amply re fund, than total ruin In the future." Hardin, from his morose unshared table, could see the anxious curiosity setting toward tho railroad group. Over glasses, heads were close to gether. Nenr him, the talk ran high. Scraps of inflammable speeches blew his way from Barton's party. Hardin's mouth wore a set sneer. "Water company talk !" Black was haranguing his comrades. "Stand out against thpm. Don't let them bluff you. Murshnll will try to bluff you. Stand together!" I'urton's resonant ranch. Hut no one, save the Eastern girls, saw spots or tie. TBS future of thnt valley lay In that man's hand, no matter now Black or Qrace might harangue, in five minutes, tin- dining room wns emptied. As snow gently falling, had gath ered the first damage suits of the ranchers. The last flood bad precipi tated n temperamental storm. Men were suing for the poaatbla value of their farms impossible vniues of crops. N,, alone l he companies had been blanketed with the accusing pa pers, init against Mexico the white drifts had plU-d Up. Mexico! No one knew better than llnrdln how absurd It wns tn license the slater country of responsibility. A pretty pickle they were in ! Where was It all going to end ? In the lobby, Hardin ran up ngnlnst Brandon, who was following it news scent. Through the valley It was being rumored that subscriptions were to be Baked tor the completion of the work. If this were the intention, there would he n hot meeting. "Vou ore going on the platform?" laaumed Ihe newspaper man. "No? Then will you sit with me?" "If you will sit upstairs," scowled Hardin, "I don't want to be drugged onto the platform." Down In the orchestra, Black from the Wistaria was haranguing a group of gesticulating ranchers. I'hruscs climbed to the men on the balcony seats. "Keep their pledges. Promise mnkers. Let them look at our crops!" "If Marshall xpects to coerce those men, I lose my guess. Ttyeu he g M Judge of men," cried Ilurdln. ''Look iV t"fiose fates." The floor was a sen of Impassioned features.' "Something's going to drop," echoed JJnuwIati. From the wings, Babcock's, Inquisi tive glasses were Been to sweep .the tutuse;, UartMn could catch Che a'urii ruoiia.o an excited forefinger toJfhec group iinseeri. There was a mlhrftes -6 -delay. '-'-Then Babcock's . nervous f SBfiMsV parried him onto the atsVe. . I)e la Vega followed Bgbcock There was a hush of curiosity. The, house did not know who he was. Be hlnir. him, ooldlerif ; stiff, stalked Mac Lean. . Marshall's entrance 'released the tongues. There was an Interval of confusion on the stage. Bubcock, like a restltss terrier, was snapping at the heels of the party. At last, they were all fussily aeated. De la Vega was given the place of honor. Marshall, Babcock put on his left. MacLcan on the right. Bibcock ruised his staccato gavel. A hush fell on the house. His words were clipped and sharp. "You have left your plowing to come here. You are anxious to hear what we have to say to you. You cannot afford to he Indifferent to It. You ac knowledge, by your presence, a de pendence, n correlation which you would like to deny. Irrigation means 'i p I U 1 1 1 1 NP i o , o 1 1 , til.' pi , i . , liver water to your ranches, ho en me to my nation and got permission to i nl Into the river on onr territory. Most gl.idly did Porfllio Din, grunt thai irlvllege. For thnt, today, .m nre suing him. This, 1 am told, Is jour mplalnt," Ills abrupt pause betrayed a con fused murmur of voices. lie la Vega's Millie ear tried to differentiate the I phrases. There was a Jumble of sound. IDs In fen looked Inquiringly nt Bab- cock, who waved him on. "it has nothing to do Willi the his tory, but I would like io any in passing Hint so assured wore your people of .our froml'y feeling toward you Hint Ihey did ih il wait to receive p.'iiiils- sion from Mexico to make the cut. Vour people were In n hurry. Your imps were III ilnnger. r'lrsl I lie Inell 'or Muter, then too much water dam- ngeii your valley, A few pcrc A voice from the ero.wl cried out. "A few ncrcsy Tliousninls of a res," instantly others were on their fort "Thousands of acres. Ruin1 fine man tvns shouting Mi relf linortlectlc, Bnbcock't mi noumlxl a shum tnivnlo mi the I:.' ' . "Thousands of ncras," lie in vgti ,mis iitruftled, "Ami moil than that. I'he valley, it musi he remembered, lues not itop ni ihe line, Mexican lands, ion, have been scoured by the iilioii. Hie result ol the SCflOII nf ,our Irrigation company, it was n mtoai." he paused, and n qnnlnl wo nms tn his need. "A mutual iter incut, it did not occur '' us i accuse you oi our troubles, Ynurdnnr geeitlt nnlne,d nnd astonished us, Bui they guvs us also n inggesilun." Tin- rustling nnd (ho niiiiiiuis sud denly ceased. A prescient hiM, wait ed on I'i- la Vega. "You have been ad vised to sue ii- To sue us for giving you thnt concession, Therefore, the only answer is fur us to withdraw thnt concession 1 You accuse ii-, for giv ing it to vou. That concession Is val uable. W'llfll else con we doV Iteforo your damage suits were Bled, were approached by others for Ihe nms privilege, If you do not wltlulrn ' your sin.-, my nation sends word to you thin von mnv no! tnkn wnter from the Coloiado river through Mexican soil. Yoi will not be without water prolmlii, long; I have said thnt con cession Is valuuble! Other arrange ments will probably he made so that the valley will be given water. 1 would like to tuke your answer to my government." It was several seconds before the house got Its breath. The Import of the diplomat's words whs astounding. Barton gotTb his feet, yelling with his great bass . voice, "Betrayed I" Ills shrnnken finger Jndlciiteil n youth with "R. S." In black letters on his collar. "The tsfiksf has been betrayed." In the balcony, the uproar wrts deaf ening. AroUnd Hnrdln and Brandon words were thudding like bullets. "Beclnmotlon Service." "That's their, gtme." "The concession !" "They won't -vt It." "Betrayed. We ure be trayed."- . - .- ,, , -Downstairs,. Baheock's gavel rapped oiieid. . .Behind., I hi- excltw figure w!P'si.ine sues, sat Mnrshnll, tils unreadable, sweet Smile on his fac His eyes were on Babcock, who wne' vainly clamoring for order. "Program Itlint nleetlng. i Mice more Bnhcn sea swept ihe b nisi . lie rapped ihe table, "That's nol nil. We've gol more lo ii lo yon OenthKnSn, Mr. Marshall." Marsluiil stepped forward lo n si lence WhiCtl wbs a vnrlely of tribute. lie bowed. "1 will be brief. Mr. Faraday bus asked me to tuke bis plana here this afternoon. H's only fair. If It were not for my Interfer ence, be would not be Involved In this situation. I think you will grant that It Is Mr. Faraday's company wl. i b can save Ihe valley?" "To rave Its own tracks!" yelled a voice from the balcony. Marshall sent a Soft smile hem mi ward, "Incidentally. Ami its tniflc. Why don't you say II? We don't 1 1 , ny thai. The Overland 1'in.illc's no all ni ls!. " There wns a Jeer which rose Into a chorus. "Altruist! Octopus. That's what It Is." MnrsliiiU's hand went tip. "If you Want to hear nic?" lie unveil hwiiv Bnb( k's d ascending gavel. "i wns told it would cost two hundred thou sand dollars to close thm break of yours. Do you wan! the actual flg. Ureal It has eaten already a million, anil the work Is not yel done. You know Ihe history of the undertaking. The Desert Iteelaiiuitlon company was I i snails. Faraday promised hla help the condition that Ihe affairs of Desert UeilaliiutlOH Company would be controlled by bis compnny. He took the control. He inherited wliatV Nol good will. Threnls, dam aga -nils Do you think that enow slide of complaints is going to encour age him to go on? This I- what i cams here to talk to you about You ranch ers dont want tO COl jour own lliionls. Now, there's a good deal going on about which you are In the dark. Faraday's got a right to feel he's shouldered an old man of the sea. He's been trying to dislodge It. He's appealed to the president. Kvcr sliico we came Into this, the cry from Wash- an rlly, it, i MnlT.eun . voire screamed from the balcony, "You can't quit Thai's a threat You're In t00 deep. You c i n't fool us. You've gol tO save yourself. You've jot lo co on. Tell I'ariiilny to tell that lo Washington." The uproar wni released. Black, from the Wlsliirlu, Jump d on hiS Chair, "I am speaking for the vol ... We isin't help. You I. now It. Vc' Stripped, We're ruined. You Clink lo threaten us with the government 1 f we wi 11 for the governmenl to ilcclde IBs mile) is gone nnd the railroad's monej wiiu It I tell you, your b!, iff won't BO, We waul Justice. We ure going 10 have jUStlCO." ",lu lee!" cmuu from the suigir.g rucbi .s. Talr piny," yelled Blnck, "You can't trick us. We were not born yesl'Tdiiy. We have rights. Tho company brought us here. V!iut did WS give our money for? Desert hind? What good la l!ili hind v.llhout wiiter? We DOUghl wit ter. (Jive us back tho money we've pul In Hint's whnt we're n f-Ic I . i ,-r for. We won't be scarsd out of -,ir riiriitn." 'I'here was a growling nccompiuil- ! meiit f r .tin the buck rowK, herding to- i gfther. "Order," cried Babcoi I:, thumping I Ids gnvel. "Let Mr. Bluck have !!,. floor." Black had not stopped. Wildly his bands cut the air. His speech, though high-pitched, had n prepared sound; It worked toward a climax.- He gave Individual Instances of ruin. "Orace, vviiinrd Qrace, bis crop gone, his place cut in two. Ilolllsler and Wilson of the Palo Verde, the much a scream ing horror. Scores of olhers." He would not mention his own case; and then he Itemised his mil fortunes. I'ur rlsh, his place scoured bc.wunl all fu ture usefulness. What bad they come Into tho valley for? Who had urgeif I hem? There were pledges of the D. It, water pledges. That was nil those ruined men were pleading, the redemjt Spfl of Ha. pledges. Individual ruin. ,. I one. i, oi personal indulgence, "j tj '' 'i. il i. ie. in i food, bread, ilntosgH liillK for Hie lui ,es; or Htnrv ril Black had touched the d i u - i ins was tne answer. This iviiii wl,,.! nicy wunieii lo mi. "You nsk tis to hi Ip you, us, ,. wh()j are ii..e.j already to our hnni(D. i""."' j on nay jour company wgga go any fiotber. What does thai help moan to yon! Poverty? a few n10j. I nuts, u million lo the O. l' I, ror. i noratlon, whai dooo a loss mum to ! ihern? Poverty? I tell you, no, A smnller dividend, maybe, to u hntg) Yes, to whom? To the men who ij, i i.iin. ...i. ... .iiiii iit'itiir, noose will j,fg I oraggeii BDOOt in limousines, with, draw their suits? Help Karnd.r., aim . ruin men like Banish? Men of m valley, what Ik your answer to Fori, day?" The crowd wns on Its feet, .:iyfl. and pushing. The air was fetid with breatha. Wilson's crowd had forgotng lis lorgnettes. "No,", yelled the mock, ers. "We snv, no." A boy made bis way from tin n yellow envelope in Ills hand (To be continued next week.) "Hn, If Germany were in a position to fight, anything Hlie would probably fight the pence treaty. BRIGCS AUTO WOOD-SAW Altachmegt On man cuts 15 cords; 2 man. 35 cord. Goes Auywjiere Any Auto. BRIGGS II BURPEE CO. lac, Maaafadiro. 279 Hawthorn An., Portland. Sand for Infomatlon and llhutratad Circalar Universal Garage Co. MarshsN's Veloe flaog Out. - . ..R- .- .' -., ; I ...... , lpir',has been. 'Do this the wsy we Hke or we'll not 'ke It off ytfnr hands.' " A murmur of angry voices Holllater was trying to make him- " oowhera. awrtllng toward self heord to Barton over two rows of . " ",TOny- seats, but his voice was like a child's "We ,on't wt the government" on an ocean beach. Barton was sur- hegan the rising voices. Marshall's Automobiles Overhauled and rounded by eager anxious men. The audience had spilt Into circles of harangugng centers. It was Impossible voice rang out "But the government wants yon 1 Unless you will help save your own to get attention. Hardin could see Mar- homes, the government will have to. In shull pull Babcock by the tolls of his """ '" got to. Up there nt Laguna, eoat. Unwillingly, he could see Bob- nnv" yn noagj It? There's nothing go rock allow the crowd five minutes by on- They're watching us. Thai's a I his consulted wntch. Then again, the i SsbssbbI toy If our works nre washed gavel danced on the table. Marshall ou'- Furaday says this to you " Not I was still smiling. Bcbrork's shrill " h,,und in the stilled house. "Unless Reoaired mmm , ,, (i-Vi e.tr We Give the Best Service Competent Mechanics organ broke through the clatter, co-operation, suffering together, strug--i.. ... i. ,.ii i.. i x ..I .. .. .. " "Marshall Is not going to bluff us. Orace and Blnck began to talk at once. Hsrdin's lip grew rougher. Where hud they all been If it had not been for him? Why. he'd pulled them from ' their little farms back East, where they were tolling where they'd be tolling yet. They'd had the vision of sudden wealth they hadn't the grit to work for It, to wait for Itl How many yenrs had he been struggling? He was a young man when he'd gone Into this thing, und he was old now. Coffee and cigars had een reached of the midday dinner. Bab cock was nervously consulting his watch. "Shouldn't we arrange the meeting?" he asked for the third time. The social and casual atr of the meet ing had teased hlin. What had the po litical situation In Mexico to do with the important session confronting them? Ills fussy soul had no polite salons; office rooms every one of them. MacLoan looked to Tod Mar shall to answer. "I think It will arrange Itself." Ills voice was silken. "It is to be a dis cussion, s conference. You can't slate that" "We could progrum," begun Bab cock, looking at his watch again. "I don't think we'll have to." Mar- sliall smiled across the table. "Vou'll find this meeting will run Itself. There Is not a man here who is not burning to speak. Look at them now ! Drop a paper in that crowd, and see the lilaxe you'd gel ! You cun open the meeting. Mr. Babcock, and I would suggjgst that you call on Mr. De la V.ga Hist." The eyes of the dining room fol lowed the party as they tiled pN Ihe buzzing tables. Faraday was nol in ..-jwn; Murshalljreprexcnted that pow gllng together, succeeding together, You prefer the old Individual way, each man for himself. I tell you it won't do. You belong In other coun tries, the coin tries of old-fashioned rain. You want to hear what we have to say to you, the company who saved the valley, the company you are suing. But you have also suits against Mex ico. There Is a gentleman here who has a message from Mexico about those suits. I have the honor, gentle men, to Introduce, Senor de lu Vega." "Ladies," bowed the Mexican. "Gen voice split the din. "Order." Tho ocean of voices swallowed him again. "We won't let them In," Grace was bellowing, "the vulley won't stnnd for it." "Take your medicine," thundered the big orgnn of Burtou. "I warned you, Imperial valley." "Betrayal," groaned the crowd. Down in the orchestra, Barton was holding a hurry-up meeting of the wa ter companies. Do la Vaga bad stepped bin I, and was consulting with Tod Murshull. Bnbcock pulled out his watch, his gavel calling for attention. This time he was heard. De la Vega approached the foot lights, a questioning look on his face. "We usk for a little time," began tlemen, Mr. Chairman. It is with an Barton. Instantly the house was on appreciation of the honor that I nc- "" re,'f- withdraw the suits. Give cepted for today the invitation of Mr. Marsluiil to speak before you, to speak to you; I must tell you first my thought as I sat there and looked nt you, the youth, the flower Of the Amer ican people. A few years ago, we were calling this the great Colorado desert; now, the world calls it the hothouse of America. This theater is built over the bones of gold-seekers, who dared death in tills dreaded desert to find wiiat was burled In those mountains beyond. The man, I say, who crossed this desert, took the hotuird of death. It was n coun tryman of mine who piloted, fifteen years ago, a little band of men, across the desert. I'erhnps he camped on this very spot. It is not impossible I It is here, perhaps, that lie got his Inspiration. He sow a wonderful ter ritory ; he dreamed to quicken it with tne useless waters of the Colorado. You will all agree thut it was Gull Iermo Eslrada who dreamed ihe drenin that has come true; that It was through him thai some of your conn tryinen secured their privilege to re Clalaj this land. Later, when one of your countrymen found he could not fulfill let him your answer. Give him our an swer. We don't want the Service. The valley don't want the Service. With draw the suits." Barton's moon fnce looked troubled. "We can't answer for all the ranchers." "Ycb, you can," screamed Grace, Jumping up and down like a baboon. "If you don't, I'll answer for them. Don't you see, It's a trick? It's a trick. I see the hand of the O. I. In this." Friendly hands pulled him down Into his seat. The audience woe chanting. "With draw tho suits. Take your medicine. Don't lose the concession. Lord, the Service! Give them tho uuswer uow." Barton held up b withered hnnd. The undeveloped ttody was dignified by the splendid head. "Don't with draw your concession. I think I can say that Mexico will not be sued." Aguln, the shout went up. "Answer like a itinii. Think! Good Lord Say we wilhdruw the suits I" "We withdraw the claims against Mexico." Barton sat down to I sud den hush. The tlrst blood had been you withdraw your damage suits, he won't alvance another damned cent." Sharply he sat down before the au dience realized that his message was finished. The house had not found Ita voice, when Babcock's gavel was pounding again for attention. The question, he felt, had not been put to them completely. Perhaps, they did not gather the .full import of Mr. Mar shall's message. Mr. MucLean would follow Mr. Marsluiil. MacLean's superb figure rose from a tree-paneled background. "He should sing 'Brown October Ale,' " suggested Brandon- to Hardin humorously. Hardin's eyes were on MacLcan. What did he know about It? Whnt could he tell those men thnt they did not know? MucLean was a figurehead In the reorganised Irrigation company. Why hadn't they called on him, Har din? He knew more about the Involved history of the two companies than tho whole bunch on the stage down yon der. He could huve told them, he could have culled on their Justice, their memory MacLcan was speaking. "Mr. Marshall has likened tho river project to the old man of thu sea. He has It on his back, while It Is busily kicking him in the shins I "Mr. Marshall has given you Mr. Faraday's message. He has asked you to dismiss your damage suits. I nsk you to do more than that. Put your hands in your pockets I Come out and help us. You don't want tho government. I am told that Is the sentiment of the valley. When you called to litem, they wouldn't lielp you ; they wouldn't give you an ade quate price. Congress will soon be adjourning. Whnt Is Mr. Faraday to ay to Wushlngton? Is ho going to closo that break? That depend on you. Withdraw your suits. Do more. Slop fighting against us. right With no " The audience stirred ominously, I Dependable Vulcanizing J The Plumber is a Robber! JfSjJf M ' ITsBBBsT'CBBBlsBnnnSSSV I M MiHT'Taj f Only when the man in side the PLUMBER is crooked. Our aim is to give honest service, and install honest goods AL WAYS. If you want any such goods and such service in your repairs or in new work, it's easy to get it. Just call us Our Specialty Plumbing, Sheet Metal Work, Repairing Agents for the De Laval Dairy Supplies Paint, Oil Limited Supply Ammunition Economy Fruit Jars at Right Prices THE BURNS HARDWARE COMPANY In our new building opposite Lampshire's garage CALL AND INSPECT IT "HprhiK Kever" uml Common House liiHtoail nt giving up and snylng sour stomach, hloatlng, coatM ton gue, ail are banished hv r"oU Cathartic Tablets. H. n Haward. you huve "spring fever," it Ih more Unudillu, Oa., writes: "Kolev Cnili.u Snslhls to take a good wholsoiuo tie Tablets give ciulck relief." Bold physic, UlliousnuHH, sick hoadachu, ' ovorywhere.