Image provided by: Sherman County Historical Museum; Moro, OR
About Sherman County journal. (Moro, Or.) 1931-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1943)
/\(« £ X SH U M A N COUNTY JOURNAL, MORO. O R E G O N ^ FRIDA Y, FEBRUARY |2 , 1943 ¿ 9 . • __ tions so. that all can share about NOTICE TO CREDITORS tax program could hardly be writ- . *** F •' . » . .. the-aame in the tax saving. . _ - ... .i& ie n u w Ctnutlu Journal ten at this session. Some pi the ... ----- Notice is hereby given t h a t changes made may prove so sat- T*1’8 theory is based on the as-„ Mgry Edith has been #p ' Sherman CoMBty Observer isfactory that they will be re- sumption that the state's taxation pointed Administratrix at the Ea- Established Nov. 2, 1888 tainod. That is true."*,Tlie intent pattern is now fairly well divided tate o f Omer G. Sayre, Deceased, Grass Valley Joarnal of the governor is that we do Bmong the several groups of tax an(j has qualified as such. All per- — Established Oct. 14, 1897 CONSOLIDATED March 6, 1931 those thongs that will best get us payers, recognising-that t h e s e aons having claims- against said through the wartime years and groups overlap. Estate are hereby notified and re Wasco News-Enterprise Established Nov. 1891 leave the other stuff to subse- What percentage of any state’s quired to present the same duly CONSOLIDATED March 4, 1982 qyent legislatures. taxes should be paid by income verified to said Administratrix at The message was couched In tax and what part from, property Moro, Oregon, within six months Published Every Friday at terms sufficiently broad to meet taxes and other taxes is a prob- from the date of the first publi-j W-NU Moro, Oregon ÿ such changes as might have to be lem that has not been determined cation of this notice, The first Rel«w< E d ito r made in the present program to «t»es L. French by any of the men who have writ- publication is February 12, 194.3. and dropped his hands. T H E STO RY SO P A R : Clay Morgan Enured as second class matter at take care of good suggestions ten on the gubjeot. Mary Edith Sayrs, Uas decided to play a tone band against They had him hipped. Drawing, the Postoffice at Moro, Oregon that will be made later in t h e Property now pays about 38 Administratrix, Ben Herendeen, a rancher bent U l ran he had his one single moment’s o der Act of Congress of March session. mng the cattle country b i* own way. per cent of all taxes. There is a J- Tracy Barton, choice—McGeen on his left or Con Tbe two mea have beea enemiea tor His suggestion on the school certain stability about the owner- The Dalles, Oregon, 3, 1879. nor in front of him; knowing Connor y e a n , having first (o u tfit over Clay's bill—that to hold the payments ship of property that has always Attorney for Estate. 14-17 wife, L ila , who died bating him and be to be the tougher man, he threw his shot that way • Connor’s head to schools to a- certain sum each caased it to be charged something lieving abe should have m a rrie d H eren -------------- — flew up and—- deen. M organ la a solitary figure, de- year—are good. It will be better , fior the upkeep of the state. Wheth- NOTICE TO CREDITORS The sound of Hack Breathitt’s veted to his aloe-year-old daughter, Jan for the schools to receive a defi AJK I 0 Re< er it is too much or not enough a 11 persons having claims et. Although two women. Catherine gun pounded between the walls I AT I 0 N nite amount from income taxes is a problem for the economic against the Estate of Edwin H. G rant and Ana M eG a rra h , are in love of the street F iblis with him , they know bo cannot forget each year than to get a big sum And was drowned out by Bones philosophers to worry t h e i r Van Patten, deceased, are hereby L ila. O f bis form er friends, only Hack of money for on« year and noth- ow r McGeen’s quick-following fire. Con OFFICIAL COUNTY PAPER notified to present them, with the B reathitt has not gone over to H eren nor fell on* the walk and pulled ing the next. Even the school SUBSCRIPTION RATES In the meantime the tendency proper vouchers and duly verified, deen’s side. G ard G ran t. Catherine’s himself to his knees; his gun had men agree to that-—if, of course, brother, hesitated about Joining H eren Payable in Advance is to reduce the percentage that to the undersigned, tbe duly ap- drupped on the walk and now he but became M organ’s sworn ene ONE YEAR ........................... *L5° there is assurance that the money property pays to the state, and pointed, qualified and acting Ad- deen. crawled forward, trying to reach it, my when he discovered thakirCatberine wall not be spent for other pur bad been to bis ranch. H ack -B re a that, and fell again with his arm stretched . FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12., 1943 poses. That can be done now, it make new taxes pay a greater iministrator of the Estate of Ed- seen camping w ith Pete Borders, a rus out full length, «fingers touching the win H. Van Patten. Deceased, with tler. Is being watched by Hereqfieen’s part. seems, with the support o f the butt. Will Annexed, at Wasco, Oregon, men. Now Clay bas Juat learned that gun’s Hack Breathitt felt McGeen’s shots governor and the expressed will SCHOOL BILL within six months from the date G ov-rn m en t V alley is to be auctioned breathe by. He snapped an answer of the people in favor of school at Sage City, 190 mUea aw ay. M orgaa of the first publication of this no ’. nows Herendeen w ill be bidding lor tbe across the street meanwhile plung Oregon voters, when they passed aid from the state. tice, to-wit: February 12, 1943. land, and he is determ ined to get tt. ing past the open mouth of Gentry’s the so-called basic school law by about the speed of toward his horse. The shadows shel >: arrr.M ’ ’ flack B reathitt bas encountered T. Lester Johnson, such an overwhelming majority legislature were in somewhat r onttnu«*'» from onp seme of Herendeen’ s men. tered him and McGeen's shots Administrator With Will Annexed. last November started something djflferent veio than had been pub- ample, the chief of the industrial crushed through the soft wood of Now continue with the story. Date of First Publication, Feb in school affairs that will as sure y y^hed from time to time. Fact branch, office of civilian supply ruary 12, 1943. the stable wall, wide of their mark. ehange the school system as day jg that thig -g a speedy session, in wat production board, went to C H A P TER VU Men's boots pounded down the Odd Date of Last Publication, March follows night. apparently well aware that the Harvard and, until he joined the Fellows' stairway; somewhere a 14-17 For four sessions the senators nation is at war and desirous of government seven months ago, 5, 1943. Hack Breathitt held him ielf in the woman screamed. Breathitt was on thick shadows by the courthouse cor- his horse, racing along the Burnt and representatives from the rich- g a tin g back home to work. The was vice-president of a p a p e r :.cr and saw McGeen and Liard Con Ranch road, when, looking back, he er parts of the state had sucess- house has passed or killed more company. To farmers he has is- NOTICE TO CREDITORS fully prevented equalization that biHg than ugual • and the Bued # gtatement that foo(, pro. Notice is hereby given thfit* nor leave the Long Grad« saloon. saw four Herendeen men rush from The two of them immediately sepa would have token much tax money commdttee is not passing many auction can be increased by a Blanche Estella Everett has beer. rated. McGeen turning toward Old the side of the courthouse. McGeen was In front of him. but fading back from their districts and given it morp thr0Ugh the hopper. A bill l)etter USe of horseshoes. He has aPP°intfid Administratrix of the Tawn’ whne Connor traveled to Gen- from Breathitt’s Are, into the shal to the poorer and more populous hag to good to get by it> and four guggeRtiong; (1) Re. set the Estate of Lulu B. Stxmcer, De try's stable. More Three Pines rid low alleyway beside the bank. Low- difitflMfi. Tito VOtolA, ever} Jist js very small. The sen- shoes to get more wear out of ceased. and has qualified as such. ers drifted from the saloon, moving bent, Breathitt went by him, pound county approved the measure, thus ate ¡g getting more, however. them; (2) eliminate the shoes All persons having ebainis against toward the dance ball. Instead of ing the pony with his spurs. There going up the stairs they turned down generously offering tax money It ig probable that the message where the horse is doing i some- stid Estate are hereby notified the black alley between the Odd Fel was a short following fire and after raised in the richer parts of- the w j|j aerVe to hasten things along thing non-essential to war; (3) and required to present the same lows' Hall and thè adjoining saddle wards. in the safe darkness beyond town, Breathitt's Indian yell sailed state to the poorer districts.lt was and j e„ le^sUtave thinking into eHlwinate unessential styles’ (4) duly verified to said Administra shop. Meanwhile Clay Morgan up. He’ was a fugitive then, and a magnanimous gesture and an gomething definite. horse owners can save shoes by trix at Wasco, Oregon, within six walked down Stage Street with H ar knew itfc and this was bis way of months from the date of the first ley Stewart, these two going Into telling them so expensive one. removing them immediately after publication of this notice. The the bank. A light flashed on. Jeise It has now been established that a period of necessary road work, i i n m no LEGISLATIVE HALL Morgan took the desert road as first publication, is February 5, Rusey appeared from the darkness, the people approve the policy of where shoes are necessary only at once crossing to the bank and soon as he left War Pass, heading more state participation in the --------------------------------- 1943. looking through the window. L ife (Continued from last week) during certain periods. northeast into the open flats. Blanche Estella Everett, railing of -achool moneys, and that and Mrs. White left the dance hall There is a hearing scheduled, At midnight, from a summit point The Harvard graduate appar- Admdnistratrix. and passed Hack, on the way to the he looked down upon thevbreaks of they approve of this distribution and within an hour the hall will ently thinks shoes can be slipped hotel. Hack heard L ife say in hia the Crooked River, whose rounded on the basis of pupil days atten J. Tracy Barton, The Dalles, fill up again -with legislators and off and on like a pair of rubbers 1C light, courteous voice: ‘T U have a peaks and shale pinnacles and bare Oregon, Attorney for Estate dance. their friends who are interested and that they come in a variety drink or two with the boys, then ravines lay tangled and disheveled The bill will have to be amended we’ll go home.” Presently Llge re in the moonlight. From this eleva in the matter at hand. They wiH of styles, whereas there are only as it was entirely unoperable as turned from the hotel, passed the tion he saw one lone light buried in go to some stuffy committee room large, medium and small. This NOTICE TO CREDITORS paaead. This,tbe teachers organ- All personfi having claims saloon and followed the Burnt Ranch a far pccket, which was the location and bear expounded the virtues man might be capable in the pa i ration that sponsored it agree of this and that course of action, per division, but not in dealing a£ainst the Estate of Wilford road, disappearing toward Mrs. Ben of Vane Walrad s ranch, and went son' » house. Hack clucked his to, aad has in fact made some fnr and then after a few minutes of with horaesboes. Belshe, Deceased, are hereby noti- tongue in dlsapprovil. saw Morgan downgrade into the river canyon. reaching amendments itself. Beyond one in the morning, he joking in this hall will go to their • * • -^ed present them, with the come out of the bank, and went at The policy of taking all of above the homes to think over the legisla- sighted a close row of poplar trees >ra and duly verified, once toward his partner. President Roosevelt last year proper voucher^ beyond the stream. He passed over surplus funds over and ..«“Stayin' around. Clay?’* » signed, th e .d u ly 'a p lion proposed at tbs hearing, announced that he wanted 8,000,-^ t un(te^ <7,750,000 has been discarded and ’’No," said Morgan. “I’m riding a swaying cable bridge, the geld pointed, qualified and acting ad The bills for tomorrow are post- 000 tons of merchant marine ship- out.” He saw the glilter of Hack’s ing's feet booming up enormous ech admission has been made that ministratrix, of the Estate o f oes from the planking Before he ed in front of the desk where sec- ping. The production was 90,800 gunbelt buckle. "W hat’s tip?” other state funds, particularly the Wilford Belshe, Deceased, at the saw the house definitely he began retories have taken the bill titles more than he called for. One ’’Nothin’. Nothin’ at a ll.” elementary school fund, should be calling: “ Hello there—hello. Wal- office of T. Lester Johnson, in Morgan said: “ Don't let anybody tnU n out'of’ income tax payments lon8 By taking-up time to- yard alone, Oregon Shipbuilding Moro, Oregon, within six months push you into the wrong stall. rad !" ______ the bills win nave w »« « o f , A ... before money is rent to the coun- morrow bille will have oeen been vorp., Corp., sent to sea a total There was a yard behind the pop ties for school purposes laid ° n the desk8 of legislators, 1,219,400 tons, which represented fr?m th* Pp v* Hack,” and turned aerosa the street lars and the blurred skeletal Autiine tie» ror scnooi purposes. H cation of this notice, to-wit: Feh- to his horse. Morgan stepped «into Under the plan offered now by "here members will look them 113 Liberty shxps. The Vancou- the saddle; he kicked his feet into of corrals and wagons and hayracks, and a house almost hidden by the in over and make their 'decisions ver yard produced 30.800 tons✓ or „ , t >2 the teachers «iffat districts Hazel Belshe, Administratrix the stirrups, sat there a moment trees. A door slammed. He passed looking ahead of him, and went out six ships, and Swan island yard Sherman county could not parti- about the value of them, Date of First Publication—Febru of War Pass at a long-reaching gal through the poplars to reach a front cipate because they did not’ levy When 9:30 arrives tomorrow 16,600 tons. pqrch. and held his seat' here until ary 5, 1943. • lop? Hack thought, “1 ought .to he a special school tax. In Jetffer- the gang will gather again to rus- Walrad’s voice came at him. sleepy Date of Last Publication— Febru with him." Liard Connor appeared and uncharitable. “Well, who is it?” son county there are 22 districts tie through the papers, confer WILLIAMS’ COLUMN at the bank corner, exactly opposite ary 26. 1943. “Clay Morgan. I ’m riding straight that could receive nothing as of over the bills up for passage, talk the point he had disappeared from through to Sage City. Vane. My ■ 'rnm -»agp one« a few minutes before, whereupon thia year. Some change in this over other matters, and go into _________ It seems that humans aren’t the Breathitt crossed Stage horse is going bad.*v Columbia only ones to have shoe styles re Hack program seems needed. session to pass the decision of the resentative Perry of “ Morgan?” said the man, and Several plana for making the people’s advocates for and against county now holds the leud for stricted—just think of the poor Street, passed the hotel and ducked was still. Morgan heard J pair of down an alley. He threshed around •chool bill work according to the- the measures on the calendar. bills introduced with 14 to his herses. the broken boxes and tin cans and horses stirring in the adjoining cor- ery have been written^ more" will Now the hall is empty, the credit, and Wallace of Portland bottles behind Shevlin’s pool hall, r»l. One of them softly whinnied, have to be written. Settlement green covered chairs back of the still holds first honors in the sen- made a wide sweep of this com and then the rancher said with a re pletely black area and came into viving cordiality, “Sure, Clay.” of thia problem is the moat d if- oaken deaka are juat so much fur- ate with 11. “ I ’ ll be back to pick up my horse the street again near Old Town. ficult job In the legislative ses- niture, the names on the desks are • ♦ * FOR SALE—A few good work At this same moment McGeen - in two days.” aion thia year. just so much decoration, the lights • At the close of business Mon- Moonlight put a silver, phosphor horses. From 12 to 17 hundred, stepped from the shadows of the Because the legialatrive assembly are a mockery to the present in- day, March 1, the legislature will escent glow to the road's dust. blacksmith shop. He had his head under 8 years old. Roy Belshee. Pulling in for a walk, Morgan is responsible for the expenditure action. Tomorrow there will be w jnd up ita 5ath ^ y of tiie gcg. Phone 754, Wasco. pl4-16 turned, watching the up-street direc looked at his watch and found it to of all funds appropriated by it, action when legislator confers 8jOn. From then on the lawmak- tion, but whipped around when he be half-past two; one hour later with it ia the duty of members to make with conatitiKmt, when member crs wiH work without pay. From O R D F R N O W fo r M arch heavv heard the strIke of Breathitt’8 boot8 the moonlight changing and day not thia school bill operable ao that persuades member, when t h e the looks of things now, it seems • Hamps., The tw0 stood here‘ face lo face far away, he knew his horse was .cockerels, April - Reds, with half the street between them. state money sent back for school rollg are called and laws are start- dm oet a certainty the boys will and Leghorns. Leghorn cock Hack didn’t say anything. He held done. Nor could he see the shadow of ranch or house ahead. He let purposes does the greatest poa- ed on the course <rf action. ----- be there for at least another week erels $2.50 per hundred " a n y his ground, showing McGeen his the pony drop to a walk and in this sible amount of good. This may As a means ’of following the after March 1, unless they hold Thursday. Write for circular. swift, malicious grin. McGeen time-eating way covered the neat pulled up both hands and' caught mean some major change in the people’s will the legislative pro- many night sessions. Most ail of Hart’s Hatchery, Beaverton, half-hour. The road climbed to a the lapel of his coat, which was hip management of Oregon’s school w ss sometimes looks awkward and the important bills are yet to be Oregon. c!4tf way of showing Hack he didn’t long roll of land, tipped over the system, now one of the most in- wasteful. As a practical matter ected upon At the lagt eiectjon crest and point into a shallow mead efficient in the nation. Tbe peo- R ,a no more w than are othei the voters extended the regular FOR SALE Soft Federation seed want to draw, and afterwards be ow. through which a creek ran with rolled up the street 'toward the sa-t a pale glowing. There was a box pie have decided that the state processes of getting things done session from 40 to 50 days, but wheat, 40 or 45 sacks. Hugh loon. Connor was near the door elder grove here Coming to the should pay for a larger part of by delegations. Since the forma- when you take eight Sundays and Walker, Wasco. Phone Wasco of the Long Grade; he saw Mc water he let his horse drink; and school coat It will now be nec- tion of tbis cwmtry groups similar two legal holidays out of this to- pl4-16 Geen—and started down to join him. heard a rustling in the low tree 711. Breathitt’s laughter was^ a soft branches. A tall white horse, fol Maary for the state to take a thia bave been meeting and tai it only leaves 40 days of work- bubble in his throat. He crossed the lowed by three others, came out of W |rer part in school adminietra- working in halls similar to this, ¡ng time, and that’s mighty short Moro Lodge No. 113, I .O .O .i’. street and circled the blacksmith the covert and stopped. . and so far .they have so well—in fOr legislative business once ev- Moro, Oregon shop at a short, jumpy run. He trot He roped the white horse, saddled T° m°ney mt<> tHe general—represented the will of ery tWo years. Not for close to Meets 1st and 3rd ted on around the Odd Fellows’ it. and left his worn out pony to present syatwn without making it people that thia nation is now 30 years has the legislature bem Tuesdays in th« building into a small vacant lot ad gras*. more efficient would be waste and at Up of j^tiong of the able to complete its chores in the I.O..O.F. hall Trai joining Gentry’s saloon. The dance- Ten hours out of W ar Pass found would also tend to retain some of world. This now nearly vacant allotted time and go home. sient and visiting hall lights fell on the street and, Mm threading the pine timber. Here the moat wasteful features of the hall, with its seats from which brothers are cordi hugging the side of the wail. Hack and there a woodcutter’s read led • • » a.ly invited to meet saw Liard Connor step from Gen away, and occasionally he taw cat system. come “Yea” and “Nay” votes of Observations from the press try's. Hack was softly laughing tle grazing. vith us. Legislative committee« are now again, at Connor's back. He said: the. *dv<x»t«, to som v box: Jim Bain, district attorney Charles C. Wilson. n T g . A U noon ' the country changed studying the law and the manv “Wrong way, Liard,” and watched again, the pines dropping behind thing that, moat of the world of Multnomah county, looks things Peicy Thompson, Sec. proposed amendments. Some con Connor Jerk around. and a canyon taking him down a does not understand-^or enjoy. over-^and so does A1 Brown, coun- clusions that are valuable w i l l Connor said: “ All right — all rocky draw. Shortly thereafter a ty auditor; he wants hia salary surely oome from their study. right.” But he wasn’t talking to No. lia B reathitt Bones McGeen broke out desert of scab rock and sage, smoky REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT raised—Sheldon Sack tt, Marsh- Lupine Rebekah Lodge with fall’s heat and fall’s distant Moro. Oregon field publisher and once the part- of the shadows near the bank. Some brush fires, unrolled before him. Continued from PageTone GOVERNORS MESSAGE Meets 2d & 4th Tues body kicked out a window in the -Nowhere did he see a break—either S p ' ««u«. day of each month. The governor’s taxation ■a es the boy. havr to m .1«“ ^ th.ir " " dance hall, the glass splattering the shape of a ranch, or a town, or If the mind, clash, they *»?•—R«lPh Cake, the Visiting members wel sage which is an amplification of minds around B rea th itt McGeen had quit a moving object. He had his mo ren te that .uh- *"d * » ' « * word, roll ^ 1 i’ PC T \ in ------- come advancing. Liard Connor, no long ment of tremendous disappoint the paragraphs ject io hia inaugural seems seems a 001 windows to warm tfle rain *he lawmakers Coila Belshee, N.G. er in motion, said again. “A B right” ment; and then, completely clear sensible approach to a difficult filUd air and dre»ry Salem. J.irect?r ,r’ nrr -»«hnston. 8e< ing the canyon, he discovered, on his ..b j e c t He ha. changed hi. ide- ‘ There i . nothing very startling in ^ P - W .M a c e i n ------------------------------ right, a chuck wagon and a half- Eureka Lodge No. 121 A-F & A-M dozen riders seated around IL ___ ____ ___ in t h a a« to some extent, probably be- a,K>ut the tax program of the tax- v ___ a .arTey Reihlehem Chapter, No. 78.0.E.i\ Meets on tbe 1st and He pulled over at once, but re 3rd Thursday • eve mained In the saddle until the wag Moro, Oregoi cause of studiea made .since the ation and revenue committee and koU8e d° mo8t of the orkthig— the governor. There are reduc- ^ nd aecr«tariea now get $6 Meets Every. Second and ning* of sach month. on boss said: ”Oet off and pitch In.” legislature convened. tiona for nearly every taxpayer, P*1 * —®nd tbeir pay doesn’t Fourth Thu. ¿days in each Visiting members are He stepped stiffly from the saddle, He now concedes that there can Month. Visiting members cordially invited to found a tin plate and cup at the on daY—it goes on be aomp reduction in the income whether he be a payer of proper- tail gate of the chuck wagon" and meet with us. ■, Invited tax but asks that it be on a tem ty. income, corporation, gift, or *nd on until the session adjourns helped himself to the pan of short W. F. HcLeod. W.M. Norma Bulslger W. M. inheritance taxe^. An effort is oine die. porary baeis. In fact, time« are ribs and Dutch-oven bread by tbe ( V. Belknap, Secretary M arie Hoskinson, Sec. ao abnormal that a long-time being made to equalise the reduc - EaP<lP!Pr RNEST MAYCOX Kelly’s Column W aal Ads ---------------------- ■ ~ i ------------------------------ -7 — The sound of Hack Breathitt’s gun pounded between the wul?> of tu? street. fire. He crouched here, drinking down two hot strong cups of coff» e without delay, before touching tbe solid food. The mark of the long ride was on him and on the big jaded horse, and Morgan knew that the crew, sprawled idly under the sun. saw all this and were making their guesses A man on the run. they would be thinking. He finished his meal and tapered a cigarette and lay back on tbe ground, propped up by an elbow. This food hit him like a shot of whisky. It took the heaviness out of his muscles, it made him cheerful. But he was increasingly pushed by the sense < i wasting time. He said: "Which way to Siagc City?" The wagon boss drawled "There's a trail about five miles over yonder . Keep on it. I hear old man Lowry ain't in good health “ Morgan thought about that. The brand on the big white horse was Running L. Maybe that was what -the puncher was talking about. He said: "N e v e r m et h im . I'v e been on the tr a il since la t t n ig h t a t nine o 'clo ck, fro m W ar Pass I sw apped horses at C rouked R iv e r, and roped th is one o il the g ra ss lands. W hat I need is a fre sh horse for the rid e in to Sage C ity. I ' l l be back th is way day a fte r to m o rro w ” “ Not a bad ride,” ja id the wag^n boss idly, and let the silence come on. The wagon boss had made up his min<L He said:-' No, not a bad ride at all. Take that strawberry.” tylorgan rose at once. His upper legs had gon« stiff; he stamped his feet on the ground and limped over to the white horse. He put his gear on the strawberry and hit the sad dle. At three thirty, with eighteen hours of steady riding behind him. he came upon a main break in the road. One fork led into the south-1 east, the other swung toward the north. It was now within a half, hour of the land office deadline: paused at this junction, scanning the forward haze with an anxious eye, he made out no kind of a blur on the horizon. This land ran straight into the cloudy mists, flat as a board. A few fresh prints showed either road; they were alike, these roads, as to the wear and tear of usage, and nothing gave him a hunch except that the north ern fork seemed to head mure near ly toward the spot he thought Sage City ought to be. And so he took it, but two miles later this road brought up before the burnt ruin of a ranch house. He wheeled around, backtracked to the junction and followed the oth er route. Wagon tracks came from the desert and dropped into the road, a wavering wheel-and-hoof pattern coming out of nowhere and leading apparently nowrtere. It was then four o’clock and he thought he had lost his race. Twenty minutes later the desert marched to a rim that fell downward three hundred feet into a valley. The road de scended a sharp grade. At the bot tom of the grade, straddling the sil ver streak of a shallow river, lay Sage City, its gray housetops and dusty streets making a toy town’s pattern from this elevation. He set the tiring pony into its last run, came down the grade and crossed a wooden bridge. He saw the half- empty street, the false-fronted build ings and the once-white spire of a courthouse sitting athwart the far end of the street When he reached the courthouse and stepped down, a pair of men came out of the door. Morgan said: “Land office in there?” They nodded. He passed Into a shadowed ball, heard voices through a half-closed doorway, and pushed that door before him. There was a man standing by a desk: this man was saying: “Seventy-eight hun dred. That’s the b id ., Another bid, gentlemen? Another bid?” There were only four other men In the room. One of them, standing by the room’s side-wall with his face turned from Morgan at the mo ment, was Charley Hillhouse. Charley Hillhouse said: “ Eight thousand,** and came about and dis covered Morgan. '(TO BE CONTINUED)
