Image provided by: Sherman County Historical Museum; Moro, OR
About Sherman County journal. (Moro, Or.) 1931-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 1943)
h VJL g E V——— X SHERMAN COUNTY JOURNAL, MORO, OREGON. FRIDAY, JANUAR1 194» —— — *» a smaller income tax* and a prop erty tax limitation. This has been talked of many times before. As C ou n ty O bserver a practical matter it is not im- * Established Nov. 2, 1888 portant, fo r -the people are notor- From the Observer, Jan. 29, 1904 Grass Valley Journal , Established Oct. 14,1897 ____v io u ri, c . « f u l about voting new Mr5 C O N S O L ID A T E D March 6, 1931 . ' are at home from a visit to C a l Wasco News-Enterprise ifornia with Mrs. R.’s parents and* Established Nov. 1891 C O N SO LID A TED March 4, 1932 h .B. 20 sister, C. H. Belshee and J. B. that Morrison and .faimily. Mr®. Mor- Publiahed Every Friday at House Bill 20 is the bill ------ - - • , : Muro. Oregon wouW aH exemption, on r i^ n . who was dangerously ill. Sternum County Journal Olît of th" Mud In Other Days j -----Editor the taxation of real property. I t haf »•-**** eventTi M in o r . it receiving receiving na as luuvu much abuse — as any ________ •» — — Entered » teeond class m atter at bi„ jn se, , ion> , nd fo r sev- tbe Postoffice at Moro, Oregon em , , eMi<(n, previous, as well. under Act of Congress of March who hawe ' been fattening on tax exempt B, 1879. property ownership feel, that the bill Is a personal attack on It. I t J/ i— las . ,. • 18 There are probably good rea- ie ION J a ; avint, ’ nw of the P lIL IS sons fnr not taxing some of t n . things exempted by the law; O F F IC IA L C O U N T Y PAPER there can hardly be ar.v ~eod rea- son Ior for exciIipiulK exempting „ all the prop- SU B S C R IP TIO N R A TES son „ of .......... Payable in Advance - that now * UxCB G recovere n r ’ a combination of A thier or a comomau . K4 1 thieves are mfesting Moro and vicinity. L. Barnum Monday night had a visit from them and now hi» locker lacks 20 jam of straw- berriee. D r. Idleman h a . con- tributed a cord of wood to them in two weeks and Van K irk at I*M o s s contributed a cord in one night. Several otners have had x^i__ tk av nrr dn« »t ices s ■ per^te, and now a watc is g kePl and as 8OOn* as the r,ght . ones are located Sherman county . IBRIDE RNEST MAYCOX thipf _______________ _ Mrs. Jean McMullen ,____ of Perryville, M d , ic ready to hook up w ta c h r f army half truck, purposely ground- ed *n the mud of the automotive leg| coar5e at Aberdeen, M d , prov- ¡ng irountja Mrg McMullen never had before, , except --------- a — job ----------- --------- that of bringing up her son of five. ONE YEAR— ......... - ........... >*•»> One can hardly expect cen.e- will loose a resident or two but J A N U A R Y 2». IM » JA W U A »» t * r i « u P«X » U x : n0 one would j*“ Sotom peir-4»ti- government #eency would be .„creased that much. . , i ■ „ f.T ,, ,rs . p r o i l l T r e e s J T H E STOUT SO F AU: Clay Morgaa, a sdltary asaa wbo caaaot forçai tbo wife who died battac him, refasos to ••play ball” wttb Bea Heroadoea, a rancher wbo wants to raa tbe cattle country bis owa way. Morgaa to » big raacber and baows bo mast yrotoct bias- self against rustier« aad "ao»tor»,” bat be doesn't Ube Hereadeea'■ methods. Of bl> old friend«, only Hack Breathitt bas not coao over to He r «ni« «a *» »ldo. Tbe ether»— like U < e White, Charley HIH- 'bouse aad Gard G ran t » e re sapportlyc Herendeen more or lose la eelf ■e. to to Gurd Grant'« «toter. Catbertae. love with Clay. Sbo 9— N » and Is forced to bide wbea riders are beard approacblaf. Tbe Sr«t to Hack Breathitt, eat of breath from hard rldlag. Nor «ricuse Relief came to her, though there was a shading of worry that wouldn’t leave. “GurCs a little touchy about me. I wouldn’t want . . . ” She didn’t finish that sentence. She showed him a stronger color ing, and covered It up with a quick question. ”1 beard all the talk. Are you sure you’re right, d a y ? ” He said: “Do what you can to keep Gurd out of i t Ben’s going to 'play hell with a lot of people. I f it comes to a showdown I ’ll have to go against him.” She murmured, ”1 know.” and the color of her eyes turned darker, turned softer. She saw the length of hl® jaw and the tension around his lips and ths smoky excitement rising In his eyes. She said in a ■' CHAPTER V small, hurried voice, “Good night. ■ A — Heck Breathitt stepped Jo the Clay,” and went by him. He walked porch. He said: ’*1 guess I need a to the porch and waited until she liyie help on this.” He was a thin, rode around the bouse. She paused agitated shape in tbe shadows; he a moment and held out her band. w$s swearing softly to himself, fuH The pressure of it was strong; and tills fo r presentation to either There is much property that is than passing notice, when a wind of anger. He listened to the strength the shock was there again for him. , The matter of discussion used for profit making that does storm hits high places as did the ening rush of the yonder horses. .She said, at once cool and near “That will be Herendeen and Llge ,laughter: “Will I see you in town. about what to do with the tax sit- h o t pay taxes. Much of it is in storm of Sunday night then we White and Gurd G rant It has come Clay? There’s a dance Friday. 1 uation goes on day after day with direct competition with property have to mention that the wind to a hell of a pass when a man think Ben wUl be taking me.” . manv new and some novel ideas that does pay taxes. Much of it gauge came near being dislocated can’t ride these hills as he please».” ”I*U be there.” he said. , in<r n u t forward ‘ is in direct competition with prop- by the pivotal action of the ele- Clay Morgan said, rough and sud ThP legislature will have to de- erty that does pay taxes. Build- ments upon its superimposed an- den: ”If they’re stepping on your On Thursday evening just beyond w h e t h e r it will reduce -• the ings, hospitals, schools, etc., are atomy. That may be going some feet, take a shot at them.” sunset. Ben Herendeen reached the ^ t a t e i ^ e tax or follow the in this class. . ~ ~ £ fo r language but the wind was Hack let out a heavy. Irritated ridge behind the Gale homestead sigh. “Not yet Clay. I ’m tryin’ to and came over it so suddenly that lead of Governor Snell and keep . I f of no greater value, the bill a close second, be peaceable.” he caught the Gale family eating it as it is I f it h reduced, how may serve to prevent additions C. R. Belehee is havin8 , ~ ^ s They said no more, for the three supper under a lone juniper tree in * h w ill it be? There i i a pro- to the already too long list of rpeat market completely renovat- ranchers * had /reached the yard. the yard. He might have taken the posal fo r a fifty per cent reduc- tax exemptions listed in the law. ed and repaired; the way the work They were stopped, they were keep route straight across Fanolango Des . . , .... i i A v is it to the g ia nt Panam a a ir is being done w ill help keep e base m akcs cne t |,e recfp ien t of an ing to their saddles, and letting tbe ert. but this would have given Gale tion, for the removal of the .split shop warmer in the winter and in d iv id u a l, inscribed coconut d rin k - silence run; they could see Hack notice from afar. Liard Connor and bracket, fo r an increase in the R E P R E S E N T A T IV E ’S REPORT and Morgan on the porch, touched Bones McGeen, both being men who cooler in the summer. ing m ag. H ere Col. G. F . H ix , h ig h e r b ra c k e ts to compensate f Continued from page one. commaiiuiag w r u, uasc Bou by the outshining lamp light from liked this kind of business, were with com m anding viu o fficer of *«c the base and ‘ the reduction in the lower brack- pounds instead of 54,000 Fro™ the Observer, Feb. 1, 1924 or;g|nator of the idea, points to bis the living room of the house. him. It amused Herendeen to see the The three left their saddles, slow et- pounds. The truck men used to A. C. Thompson has recovered awn drinking mag. complete shock his‘ arrival pro ly coming into the light Morgan The school bill has been amend- og ooo pounds but have from a 30-day siege of the flu* duced. Gale rose, gaunt and grey had his quick sight of their faces, of ed by the school teachers them- up th<;ir of how last Saturday being his first day Gurd's worried expresston and of headed and old-faced in the twilight selves until it bears little resem- should be. on the streets during that time. 'Lige White’s embarrassed dislike at Mrs. Gale suddenly reaobed.fer bjH : g * hftrdy perennial. A relapse when he was nearly blance to the one passed last No- what he was now doing, and of Ben the smallest child, wrapping her veraber, although the same idea having been around Salem for Lo, well helped to lengthen M> Herendeen’s bony, flat triumph. f apron around him. ”It's what 1 expected.” Herendeen want is still included. Teachers leacners wani m a n y years, and always at home. There were three other children said. the entire balance remaining at h&ving been decided ip f avor of A t the regular meeting of the in tbs family, a girl near twenty “ You’re lucky I didn’t knock you and two younger buys. All of them (he close o f the just-ended calen the railroads instead of the trucks, city council Tuesday evening an out of that saddle.” grumbled Hack remained stiU and for a moment he dar y e a r.- The method of actual However, the state has previously ordinance was passed setting the B reathitt — • • « W «4______ could see something pretty close to ly getting the money back to the i arge trucks during war- curfew hour at 8 o’clock “or any “If you had nothin’ to worry terror in the eyes of Gale's wife. school districts so it w ill reaWy other hour designated by the city abcut why run?” asked Herendeen. In a way it pleased him to find them Hack Breathitt was a shrewd man stall on the ranch. He proposed to reduce taxes is th f main problem ign>t ebe feut there councn ” Under the terms of the and he had no trust in Ben Heren make an example of the family and the teachers and the "legislative period ordinance the hour is now set at deen, He said, halfway between out this made It easy. committees have before them. I t introducing new legislation in 7 o’clock and affect® all under the rage and amusement: ’’Wasn’t run- ”1 fave you time.” pointed out is a hard job, especially if t h e house is next Saturday. The age of 18 years. As the days be- nin’, Ben. I was just bein’ careful. Herendeen. aendi&g o f sutoplu»«« *>a<* speaker says It will be flve’ o’clock come longer the hour wiU b e __________________ ____ I just kept rememberin’ Ollie > “Time for what?” asked Gale. Jacks.” tinued over a long period. There gh#rp and thftt biUg wU1 have to changed by resolution of thecoun- Contj,,,,,.! xrOir. page one. “To kick a man around like ,a dog?. Gurd Grant said: ” We were com I ain't hurting you. This ain’t near ba« been agreement to allow the through 1 the Legislation and cil. • n direct competition with the do- ing along the trail down by Dell your range. It should be Mr. White’s state to use income^ tux .meuey Rujeg committee after that date. * The home of M r. and Mrs. A. meatic product. I t has been esti- Lake and saw you and Pete Bor fo r its*letitim ate purposes instead The genate makea no such rule, M. Zevely, in this city, was glad- mater that in excess of 269 freight ders riding together. .„Pete h it off say—and he ain't complained.” He didn’t speak of his legal right to be of taking all afUT $7,760,000. and, besides, committees can in- dened last Saturday morning, carg be required to move the one way and you went another. All hgre on free Government land, foi Then there is the m atter of a troduce bills. A large influx of January 26th, by the arrival of a imported pears, which, incidental- we wanted to know waa why you he knew how hopeless it was in front reserve fund. The governor wants new legislation is looked for be- baby daughter. jy, are consigned to an import- camped with him last night. But of a cattleman In cattle country. you made a run of it.” “That’s enough.” said Herendeen. a reserve fund to use in the ex- f ore Saturday, although both the ing firm in New Ydrk city. Rea “Clay.” said Herendeen. ”you pro •’All you nesters are alike. I give pected post-war depression in bouse rules committee clerk, who W IL L IA M S ’ C O LU M N son given for having Argentina pose to shelter every brush-jumper jrou twenty minutes to clear your such ways as seem fitting to him. writes many ef the bills, and the (Conrinned from . ship the fru it is that the United that comes along?’ junk out of the shack.” “ Hack’s a friend of mine.” , stated Others want a reserve fund to be attorney general’s office report no without paying one cent of prop- States hopes to win that country Mrs. Gale at once turned and ran Morgan, “ and he’s on my land I II set up for the sole purpose of re- g reat list of bills waiting to be erty Yet the little fellow away from Germany, for the hpuse, calling over her shoul ‘stand behind him.” ders. “Gale, help me. Daisy—come duemg state property tuxus after written. who . v no owns o w n s his n is home iiupine » a block u iw h away onaj Herendeen said, to Breatiutt, ” If help me.” ted depression. The gov- j f the senate follows the action pftys hig $75 or $100 a y6ar U xes. There is scarcely a county r i the expected gov I ever see you around my country. Gale didn’t move. He had his head ild apparently be satis- of t be house it will be possible Many of the legislators would Oregon that has not written to ernor would Hack. I ’ll open up on you.” He down and he stared at the ground, a reserve fund set up f or wine bibbers to partake of nke to know the rea9on why, and the congressional delegation in- < swung on his heels wid left the hard-caught by indecision and futili Tied with ___ L_.. fo r two years; those who want a tl>«ir favorite beverage over the ^ uitnomah ctob is only one of sistin« that something be done porch. ty. * Tbe girl, Herendeen ^served, Fr^m his place by the doorway. reserve 'fu n d fo r direct property ta r, providing that the wine must many which have been on the free ,to induce the °® “ oi Price was pretty. He stared at her out tax relief want the fund to be be naturally fermented, not over ligt for yearsW ministration to increase the ceU- Morgan noticed Gurd Grant swing of interested eyes and was irritated from the porch end with a strange so set up th at it could not be 14 per cent alcohol, made o f ber » • » ing on milk. The cry is th at the jerk of his shoulders and cross at by the judgment he discovered on used fo r anything else. ries and other natural fru it juic- While we’re on the tax subject, price ceiling prevents dairymen once to his horse.* He mounted herlace. The women were carrying their This would require a constitu- eg. The seller of wine must pay several lawmakers are giving real from receiving cost of production, quickly, waiting for Ligs Whits and possessions out of the house—their tiooal amendment, fo r. without a license of $50, which in most of attention to the problem of col- Senators and representatives have Herendeen. Darkness covered this kitchen implements, their clothes, an amendment, a following legis- the 22nd district w ill probably lecting state income taxes from" ^een ’n constant communication yard but Morgan saw Gurd’s white their few sticks of furniture. Her and vague and staring face in the lature could use it any way it prevent* the sale for what wine the thousands of shipyard workers OPA, endeen said, almost laughing. “Old heavy shadows. A moment later all man? if you expect to save your saw f i t ----- ---------------- ----- ; — - drinkers there are among t h e and others who are certainly in • . *' three of them trotted from the yard. wagon you better get it out of the There are others who are pow- wheat farmers and sheep herders the tax-paying bracket, but . . f o r .. Japanese' relocation c®rter As they left. L ife White said shed.” erful who think the best thing is o f the 22nd district like the hard- the most part seldom pay. Many .u e a e aa era in a 1 something to Grant. Gurd Grant Gale stirred himself. He walked to use the surplus now to reduce er, quicker stuff. Incidentally, are new arrivals in Oregon who or™a a” a 0 n” never heard i t In stepping to ths * across the yard with his knees nev end of the porch he had noticed his taxes, even though state taxes are the fortified wines, which make dc not own homes, but as a rule ves ga^e y a er quite straightening. He called to already low. The income tax is up over 90 per cent of wine sales, they have families and one or commi eport is a ese sister’s horse in the farther dark the oldest boy, “Give me a band, son ness and at that moment all his not so low, but in general state w ill probably be put in liquor more youngsters of school age. .ca™ps are J 60?1/ ! 11* long wonder at her relations with ny,” and both of them seized the taxes are not burdensome. stores or abolished entirely if the As to be expected, these workers, 1. lon 13 J™ J?” .° Morgan froze into solid certainty— tongue of the wagon and backed it from the shed. Afterwards Gale There is the m atter of some sentiment against “winos" grows who are receiving wages as high * sub and left him. in that one passing went into the eorral for his horses. interval, no longer Morgan's friend. pay-as-you-go plan th at would around the legislature. ‘‘W in o s’ as $12.50 peT day, pay nothing in . g ’ - ,, Hack said: ’’Well. I'll drift along." Herendeen watched the family move M -y plan uiav wvuiu 7 1 aia ^ ai \ «x x x a - versive aliens are causing trouble. around the yard. He looked at his, tap the great fund of wages and often wind up m state institutions, the way of city or state taxes, ••Put up for the night Hack.” salaries So fa r the only unemployment yet they demand and receive the s a la r ie s being w i n g paid p a ia to to defense a e i^ n s e wor- w or- # — — — r — < ----------------- ----------------- ------------ ----------------------- - --------- “No,” said Hack. “But I ’m obliged watch, and was a little disappoint kers whose residence in the «tate compensation amendment offered benefits of government that tax- Moro Lodge No. 113. I. O. O. F. for the help.” He looked down at ed that it was so easy. He said: "That’i ' twenty minutes. Set ’em . _ • si • « ___ __________ _____ _______9 _____ Kfiim Moro, OrPtrnn Oregon the floor. Involved in his own un is probably temporary. Such a i» for a „very minor change in the payers receive afire.” Meets 1st and 3rJ certain thoughts. ”It is the last plan is difficult of attainment be- law, and this may be one session Observations from the pres® Bones McGeen rode to the shed. Tuesdays hr th< time I ’ll run from those fellows, cause it has not been used any when that law does not cause a box: Frank Bramwell, former Liard Connor got down and went I.O:.O.F. hall Trai Clay. I wanted no «hootin’. Now, I into the house. Herendeen heard place and it would have to b e disturbance of some rather vio- superintenwent of bank®, here on sient and visiting don’t give a damn.” written all new and then, of course l^nt sort. business. . . O. U . Eby of Ore- brothers are cordi •‘Watch your step. Don’t let Ben him tramping around the place; the «Ml stove crashed down and in a little bc subject to trial and error until * '* . * k ° n City, chairman of the W il- ally invited to meet push you Into'the wrong stall.” while smoke began to puff through • Hack drew a long breath. “So the bugs were worked out of it. Snow in Salem is a n , entirely laanette valley flood control pro • vith us the door. Connor came back. Mc- far.” he aaid, ”1 ain’t done a thing Some sort of a with holding tax different thing than in the eas- j<ct, drops in to talk about floods. Charles C. Wilson, N.G. Geen biid piled some sage wood to be ashamed of. Clay. I want on wages and other income is pos- tern Oregon country. Here it is . . A rthur McMahon of Albany I'eicy Thompson, Sec. against the corner of the shed, and you to know th at Well, ao-tong.” now this lira began to burn. Gala aible, but in case of cessation of »°rt oi » that no one expects, looks around. . -'and so doe® ------ - — He was soon gone, galloping south stopped hameasing the horses. He the w ar would not be a very ef- °> welcomes. There are no snow Charles Sanford, vico president ward down ths narrow valley. Mor 1 !F put his back against the wagon, fective means of keeping up the plows to take it off the street® of Pacific Power A Light. ’ upme Rebekab-tudgs No gan waited until the sound of all Moro; Oregon watching the fire catch hold. these travelers faded Into the night state’s _______ and roads, apparently, n o King u Byran furni- ate s revenue. ----- ana und, n » u i, V iu, w naug o f . the retail ua au «» a & 4 lh T u ^' One aide of the shed turned Into a before going to the living room. There is a suggestion that a »now shovels to take it off the ture dealers looks thing» over. ¿av of eacR inonth; ‘ yellow sheet of flame; the doorway Catherine came from the hallway bill may be thrown into the hop- sidewalks, fo r pedestrians a r e ditto the one and only Louise v,^iting mcnibers wel of the shanty showed a solid roll of toward him. per to give some tax credit for walking in the streets between Palmer Weber of Portland and eome smoke and fire iside—and there was “Clay—did he see my horse?” no way now fqr the Gales to save Improvements made to real prop- the capitol and the town bequisr Frank Severs, assistant district Coil® Belshee. N.G “1 took It back of tbe house.” anything. Herendeen said, to his — w it — is — still —......... — —vo the tra ___ il — ____________ _____ attorney. ______ - .Clyde Z” ~J“ M artin, the erty, but in - a — nebulous is broader and better - »••rénre -- Johnston, Se< men: ”1 guess that's all.” But be state and may not be worked out packed there. (Note to the edi- timberman from Tacoma, chats T.'i reka Lodge N d T lS l A -F A A -M looked at the girl, speculating on In tim e io r this session. tor—pedestrians are walking in with Jim Cassell, the automotive Bethlehem Chapter, No. 78.0 E. a Meets on the 1st and her. He said: “I ’m not as bad as The s®1* ® tax is atill talked of the streets in Sherman county, big-®hot from Portland. . . Gen. M q o, Oiegor. 3rd Thursday eve you’d figure. You want a job? It’^ by Senator McKenna, who would too). I t rained the firs t of the Ralph Cowgill, chief of the state Meets Every Second'*and ning® of each month. one way of keeping your family alive, anyhow.” like to bo of some aid to large week and it is likely that the guard, looks very happy, Fourth Thii.’ *days in each Visiting members are Gale left the horses and walked to property owners ifl the metropol- storm is pretty well over except the governor just signed the guard Month. Visitin g member« cordially invited to Herendeen. He said: "M r. Heren Invited Itan district. He has a theory of for a few days of wading in slush, bill. Kelly Loe, big-time meet with us. deen. my daughter would drop dead g new tax system fo r the state that would be a beneficence to the labor man, here to keep Bill Nick« N o rm a B a ls ig e r W . M . D«rwin Van Gilder. W. M. before she took anything from you. M arie U 08^ ln»on, Sec. which would include a sales tax, grain fields—but isn’t here. ' erson company. C V. Belknap, Secretary u „■ p t ~ * ■ A X F m m u N R T a x committees of the legisla- tore have not yet gotten down to hard work on the job before them X ” the work of w riting destroy them if foreclosed. Plac- From the observer. Jan. 30. 1911 of actual worship can h a rd ly ................. he taxed as a practical matter. Weather, the common, steady, either, nor can municipal property reliable Shenman county sort that used for strictly governmental Jupiter Pluvius generally gives p g purpo.ee. _ thia section. seldom receive, more . » a i / Mrs. Gale reld en iy reached for the smallest child, wrapping her apron around him— And if the did take anything kill her. I guess you’ve done us ui the hurt you can. Go on and leav< us alone. Someday, maybe I car pay you hack.” “ Hold on there,” said Herendeen. He got off his horse and walked up to Gale, catching the frpnt e f Gale’s shirt in his fingers. He shook Gale A little but there wasn't any resistance in the older man at all. his body swayed to the pressure of Herendeen's arm. Mrs. G aft's eyes showed a sudden terror One of the boys reached down to seize a rock; he would have thrown it at Heren deen if the girl hadn't caught his' arm. Herendeen said: “ YoU had better keep your damned mouth shut Hitch up that team and get out <tf the country. I don't went to see you on this range a fip n .” He released Gale and returned to his horse. Connor and McGee« joined him, the three of then c ir cling the snapping, twisted rush of fire: flames broke through the shan ty’s roof and the sky above this area began to glow. Looking back as a m atter of caution. Herendeen saw the family still standing by the juniper tree. The girl had taken the youngest child in her arms Gale had moved 'over to his wife. His arm was around her; she had throv her apron across her face and was crying. >------- —--------- ------- ------- - Late Friday afternoon. Just as Clay Morgan was ready to leave the ranch for War Pass. Vance Ket- chell came into the Long Seven yard and dropped off a tired horse Vance was a steady-going young man who once had been a puncher for Heren deen's Three Pines and now owned a few cows of his own up on the slope of the Cache Mountains He didp’t say anything foF*!?- mojjient but Morgan saw that he v,as un3er ’ considerable strain— and \aited fOr Vance to make his t a i; Vance fashioned a cigarette, lighted it and stood with his feet apa.t. staring across the narrow valley Cats. He said, “ Pretty country,” but really didn’t see i t When he 1 ushed his hat back a mop of ba:r. black as crow, dropped down on Ins forehead. “Clay,” he said at la. t. “you hear about the Gales?” • “ Yes.” ’ “ I saw thereover in Freeport y e P terday. Pretty-tough— p re tty to u g h .” He smoked on and Morgan knew he had not y6t come to his point. Some thing on the summit of the Mogul Hills seemed to interest Vance Ket- chell as he added casually: “ 1 like the fam ily—I like the g irl.7 “Sure,” said Morgan, and under stood port of Vance’s trouLle then. •jClay, if that can happen to a nester. it can happen to n:e I ’m pretty small potatoes and it looHs like something's afoot lo push us out.” He stared at Morgan, then said in an idle voic^ “ I heard the big outfits held a meetin’ the other day.” “Wasn’t present.” said Clay - He knew what lay in Ketchell’s mind. Ketchell was a cow hand "at heart but be had his own interests to worry about now. and the affair at the Gale homestead hit pretty close. Ketchell was figuring out the politics of the country, wondering where his, Morgan’s, weight would be. Ketchell was too old a hand to ask the direct question, but never theless he kept circling around, hunting an answer. Ketchell said: " I dcgi't think it was right of Herendeen. Can’t blume A big outfit for watchin' its own fences, but I ain’t so ignorant I used to be. Small folks have got rights. Clay. There’s a hen of iT lot <rf them In this world—and they got rights.” “If I were Gale,” said Morgan. ”Td cut the price of that home stead out of Herendeen's hide.” He saw relief change Ketchell's face completely. Vance tossed* away the cigarette; he was grin- Bing beneath the shadow o f his h a t brim . “ Yeah,” he said. “ W ell, see you in church.” He was on the horse and toon, away and aomcwht.v m tys mind waa a decision formed m that little space of time. . (TQ BB CONTIM LDj Z