Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 25, 1927)
HEPPNER GAZETTE TIMES, HEPPNER, OREGON, THURSDAY, AUGUST 25. 1927. PAGE THREE PW1CEDAR. The Leading Characters, EDISON FORBES, a young resi dent of Scottdale with an inherent craying for liquor is held for the death of a woman who has been kill ed by a bootlegging truck. Circum stantlal evidence points to Forbes and rather than tell the truth of the epi sode, he sands trial, which results in a long prison sentence. He is soon pardoned, however, but back in Scott dale he and PATSY JANE, his trusting wife, agree that public sentiment against him is too strong so they migrate up north to some land that has been in the family for years. While here they form the acquaintance of ISAIAH SEALMAN, a shifty neigh bor who is anxious to buy their land. hddie learns that the back taxes amount to over eight hundred dollars but as he has five months to pay he decides to refuse Sealman's offer of $1200 and try and get final title to his property Sealman's offer having led him to think it very valuable. But things do not go well. Eddie drinks heavily from some bootlegger's po tions, is forgiven by Patsy, but soon after falls in with the same gang, gets drunk, and wakes up in a freight car in Chicago many miles away. Stride en with remorse he returns to his csbin but finds his wife has left and in her place a ruffian, who orders him out. A fight ensues in which Eddie finally knocks his opponent stone cold. CHAPTER XIII Patsy Declares Herself. Eddie backed until he possessed himself of the rifle. It was loaded, he found. He straightened the uncon scious man, thrust the table aside, and permitted the other to slide to the floor. He sat huddled against the logs by the fireplace. Rifle in hand, and with frequent glances at the blood-stained figure, Eddie looked about the cabin. All his belongfhgs had not been thrown out. His suitcase under one of the bunks had not been disturbed. Nothing of Patsy Jane's was to be found. She had taken the other bag and left the cabin before the usurper arrived. But it wasn't like Pat to go without a word. She had left a message. It should be here, if the motor-tramp had not destroyed it. His glance turned to the fireplace. There were ashes and blackened em bers, a crumbled newspaper, and, yes, partially under the backlog, a little ball of white paper. He smoothed it out. It was in pen cil in Patsy's firm, thorough-bred writing, the letters pointed and well shaped. "They have just told me in Long Portage," he read, "that you passed through town on a truck yes terday, drunk. So I cannot stay any longer. There is no use. You would ruin both our lives. I know you can conquer this habit if you wish. Show that you care enough about me to do it. I am going to town to work." He looked up. The eyes of his late adversary, from a face that was a smear, were fixed upon him. Eddie laughed grimly, drew a chair for ward and sat down, confronting the motor-tramp. The rifle was across his knees. "Found out who owns the house?" he asked. "Yes," responded the man in a sub dued tone. "You do. Can I have tome water?" "After we've talked. Who sent you here?" "Nobody. I came along and found It-" "You knew I was coming back. Why did you try to drive me out with a gun?" The man did not speak. "Well," went on Eddie, "there's a law against trespass. Guess I'll turn you over to the sheriff." The motor-tramp looked up. "Don't do that, mister," he pleaded. "I'll go away from here. I won't bother you again, honest I wontl Let me go." Eddie considered. Nothing particu lar could be gained by Bending the fellow to the county jail. If he had been hired to hold the cabin against its rightful owner, he was merely act ing for someone else. He would not know that other's motives. It was possible, too, that he was telling the truth; that he was a wanderer who had stnyed in the cabin before. "All right," agreed Eddie, "I'll let you go. But you must get out of this country and stay out. First, clean up this place and put all my stuff back where you found it. If you try any funny-business " His finger-nails clicked significantly on the stock of the rifle. The man rose unsteadily. He wash ed the blood from his face at the pump and took a long drink of water, lie ran the rusty car out of the gar age, loaded it with his belongings and tied them in place with pieces of wire and rope. Piece by piece, be restored Eddie's furniture and bed ding, after sweeping and scrubbing the floors and burning the litter in the fireplace. When he left, his rifle accompanied him. But Eddie had taken the pains to remove all his cartridges. The vic tor washed his own hurts. He was lelieved to find that the Bcalp wound was not serious. He trembled with weakness as he cooked and ate the first satisfying meal in several days. His strength flowed back after he had eaten. He prepared to set out for town. It was a long walk, if he could get no ride, but he had to find Patsy Jane, Ho must convince her that this time his resolution was com plete and sincere, thnt he would never drink again. The thought of her working in Long Portage made him writhe. All this little world, as all their former world of Scottdale, must Michael J. consider him a drunken failure. He was surprised to note that this eventful day was but half spent. The sun was overhead when he took to the road. He had not walked far when he was overtaken by Milo Bull, foreman of the Davenant ranch. "Hop in," invited Bull, stopping the car alongside. Eddie surveyed the lanky Bull with shrewd glances. He was freshly shaven, and a necktie was knotted awkwardly under the col lar of his flannel shirt. "Mr. Davenant's coming on the af ternoon tram, isn't he?" queried Ed die. "Yeah," replied the foreman, "Got a telergain yesterday." "Now, don't you go hiring too many men down town," commanded, Eddie, smiling. "I'll be over bright and early tomorrow." "All right, Forbes; if there's a job for anyone, you 11 have it." He looked at Kddio quizzically: "Of course it's none o my business, but whose buzi saw did you tangle with " "Found a tramp in my cabin and he didn't want to leave," explained Eddie. "I'd been away for a few days and when I came back he'd tak en possession." A short distance from town they Baw two motor cars ahead of them in the road. One, bulging like a fat man carrying many packages, Eddie rec ognized as the property of the tramp. When their car came into view the other one, headed toward them, was started and the conference which had been going on was broken up. The eastbound automobile, Eddie noted as it passed them, was occupied by Seal man. He went first to Long Portage's largest garage. His car was there, the attendant told him readily, glanc ing curiously at his disfigured face the while. The missis had brought )t in a week or so ago. She said he'd call for it. "She's working in Mr. Kinnane's office," he added, watching Eddie to see how the information "But I can't win it without you!" "You can't win it with me. That's been proven." would be received. "Thank yn" " returned Eddie, non committally, and drew back to cover the charges. He drove two blocks up the street to the one-story frame building which served Lawler Joseph Kinnane as an office. Mr. Kinnane was in court. Patsy Jane was alone in the sunshiny main room when he entered. The color left her face and her hand flew to her throat when she way his disfigure ment. "Eddie!" she breathed, "you're hurt!" But she kept the tall pine railing between them and recoiled when he attempted to take her in his arms. "Not much," he replied, with a rue ful smile at the repulse. "A tramp had our houtfe and didn't want to leave. But I got him out, finally." She surveyed him anxiously. "Don't you want to hear about it where I've been?" he went on, eager to justify himself, and restless under her grave, unsmiling eyes. "Why, yes, Eddie." So he told her everything. He blamed himself fully and made no ex cuses, though his boyish, disarming smile pleaded for him. "I know I've said this before," he concluded, "but this time I mean it. I'm through, Pat. Never again. I'm off the booze for life. There's nothing in it from any standpoint. "Besides, the stuff's getting worse and worse. It's downright dangerous. But it won't catch me. Ill never take mother drirk. So you just quit here and come on back home. Im sure of a job at the Davenant ranch tomorrow. CHAPTER XIV A New Job. "Poor kid," he rattled on, for her attitude nor her expression had not changed, "it must have been tough, that night alone in the house, not knowing where I was or what had be come of me." Concern and contrition overspread his face. "I'm a beast, Pat; a selfish beast. But it's the last time. Where you staying?" "With Mr. and Mrs. Kinnane. They are nice old people." "Well, we'll forget all this and start out on the right foot. I'll see Mr. Kinnane and explain " "No." The word stopped him In midscntence. "I can't do it, Eddie. This has not been an Impulse. I've thought it nil ou. I don't dare go no any longer. Drinking is a habit with you. It will become more of a habit Phillips Illustration) by Henry Jay Lea Copyright Michael V. Phillip ILtleuad thru Publishers Autooutar Sarvlo as the years go on until you are just a sot." She drew her breath sharply. "It will never be any easier to stop than it is now. You have a fight on your hands, a terrible fight. It must be made right away if you're to win. "But, Pat-" There was hurt and bewilderment in his eyes and his tones. "I know it; I know all that. Put the fight is won. I ve told you I'll never touch another drop. When the craving for the stuff comes you must be there to help me fight it. She smiled sadly. "I've been wiln you before when the craving came and it didn't make any difference. she reminded him. "You're mistaken, Eddie. The fight isn't over. You can't win it with crutches. You must win it alone." "But I can't win it without you!" "You can't win it with me. That's been proven." It was a wretched hour that fol lowed, painful for both of Them. Ed die pleaded with all the power of a lovable personality. It grew harder and harder to hold out against him but Bomehow Patsy Jane did. "No,' she would say, "I don't dare. If I give in now, Eddie, you'll never win. I know it. You 11 always be a drunk ard, if poisonous liquor doesn't kill you before your time. Please don't ask me." He gave over at last, his face sul lenly clouded. "Well, when are you coming back?" he asked, more un kindness in his tone than he had ever displayed toward her before. "When will this cure be complete?" "Oh, I don't know I don't know," she replied drearily. "There hasn't been a single month since our mar riage that you haven't had liquor; that you haven't been drunk. Maybe six months or a year " He echotd her words with angry in credulity. "Why don't you get a di vorce and be done with it?" he de manded. "I think that's what you're aiming at!" He slammed the door violently as he went out. But remorse overtook him before he reached the car. He went back, to find Patsy bowed in tears over the typewriter. "I'm a beast, Pat," he said, remorsefully. "I'm no worth crying over. It wasn't true, that nasty thing I said. You're light. It will have to be fought out. And I suppose I must do it alone. I ran see you sometimes?" She nodded and smiled through her tears. H. P. Davenent decided to go thru with his ambitious schemes for the ranch, and Eddie was hired as one of his farmhands for the summer. The wages Davenant paid were above the usual scale. But he demanded super ior service. There was plowing and planting in the older fields; the break ing up of new tracts with a tractor; SSV.T" Do You Deserve Success? DOES IT SEEK YOU? Success and Happiness don't come to everyone usually just to those who deserve it, who strive to attain it. You anyone can have success, can easily secure the better things of life on an easy plan that is sure to suc ceed. The plan is systematic saving, and it's easily car ried out. Success and Happinss thru savings do not require sacri fices or skimping of present needs. You don't have to give up present comforts. You can have the things you want now and save too. Saving regularly will bring you at once a greater happiness today as well as in the future. If you seek success on this plan, you deserve it. And it will come to you. Let us show you how easy this plan is. Farmers & Stockgrowers National Heppner jaflk Orejon nn and, when the planting was done and before the need of cultivating, the re moval of great pine stumps. As Eddie worked his mind engaged in endless calculations. Even if be saved every cent, sold the car and their household belongings, he could not, by several hundred dollars, raise enough money to pay the back taxes. But he had a vague idea that money could be raised elsewhere. Perhaps the governor, or Davenant, would ad vance it. Anyway, he would not wor ry until worry was necessary. He lived at the ranch but spent Sundays at his own cabin. Usually he left Davenant's early, so that he might have many hours at home. It was his first impulse to seek Patsy in town every Sabbath, but her plead ings and his own pride changed that, She had urged him to stay away, thus making it harder for both of them So only occasionally he went to Long rortage for dinner with Patsy at the Kinnane's returning to the wilderness in mid-afternoon. One Sunday in late May he was at me caoin eariy. ne was replacing a broken board in the floor when he heard the ponderous throbbing of an automotive engine. He looked out curiously. A big truck, its load close- ly swatched, swung down from the north. It made the turn in front of his door and went on toward Long Portage. Within half an hour there was another, and inside a similar lapse, another. "Must be a liquor ship is at the landing," he thought, putting away his tools, "buess I II go up and see what she looks like." Curiosity was not the only motive for going. He had not conquered the craving for liquor. At times the appe tite swooped down like a tidal wave, utterly submerging him. Then he clung to one anchor: the thought of Patsy Jane. "You'll lose her if you slip," he warned himself. "You'll lose her for ever. And what kind of a world would it be without her? She believes you can beat the booze. Show her she's right. She's worth fighting for. You 're the luckiest man in the world that she loves you enough to give you a chance." He had beaten the wave so far, be cause there was no liquor available when the appetite rolled the highest. There was none on the Davenant ranch, principally because Davenant hated it, and would not have on the place a man who drank. So victory of a sort rested with Eddie. When the craving subsided, it left him, some times, sullen and resentful toward Patsy. He would tell himself that she was deserving of no consid eration; that any fight for her sake was fruitless because she had aban doned him in time of need. This un reasonable mood soon passed, how ever. Then he would acknowledge she was right. Love welled up anew, and he resolved to make the fight for her sake. If he did win, it would be for her. But on this Sunday his heart beat recklessly as he left the house and went out along the lonesome road to the north. His eyes were alight, his step buoyant. There was in the air something of the fearful exhiliration 'hat men exhibit as they go into bat tle. Soon he passed a fourth truck. There were two on the seat in front, a third perched on the rear of the load. All eyed him suspiciously as they jolted by. Another two miles and he came on a fifth truck in the bottom of a little valley. The crew of three was changing a tire. His hands clenched involuntarily and blood surged into his eyes. He rec ognized two of the three Jake, the driver, and Culley, the big guard. They were the men who had given him drugged whiskey and locked him in the car bound for Chicago. There was no retreating, for Cul ley had looked up and the recogni tion was mutual. He saw the guard's hand go swiftly to his hip pocket. He saw him speak cautiously out of the, corner of his mouth. Whereat the other two men straightened and stood in an attitude of waiting, ready to snatch out a weapon if the necessity arose. He decided on a course of action, and throtled the rage that possessed him. "Hello, there, sports!" he called gaily. "It's a long time since I saw you fellows. Where have you been?" (Continued next week) MORGAN Mr. Fisher of La Grande is here looking after business. N. E. Pettyjohn spent Sunday at Umatilla. Alta Pettyjohn left for Lexington Tuesday where she began work for Mrs. John McMillan. Kenneth Hutchcroft hauli! wheat for Joe Gibson. Mrs. Martin Bauernfiend left Sun day for Portland where she will spend a week or more. Delorus Crowell spent Monday at lone. Miss Eudora Hardesty spent Sun day at her home. Mr. and Mrs. Wid Palmateer spent bunday with Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mc Cormick. Mrs. N. E. Pettyjohn and children spent Sunday afternoon at lone. Quite a few of the Morgan farmers will finish harvesting this week. W. Farrens of Hardman spent Mon day with Martin Bauernfiend. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Palmateer and children and W. F. Palmateer were calling on Mr. and Mrs. Turner Sun day. For Sale 24 head of Corriedale rams; also 6 head of Shorthorn bull calves. Phone, or see J. G. Barratt, Heppner. 20-tf. FOUND A neck chain of beads, or namented with a shield containing in itials IHS and a crucifix. Owner can get same at this office by paying for this notice. ;nion pacific 8TAOE8. INC. HotoriMi&rm WESTBOUND It. Arlington letioa.m. Jilf p.m. Arrival Timm Then Pointt: THE DALLES sites p. m. fix p. m. HOOD RIVER iiSfp.m. kite p.m. MULTNOMAH FALLS IiS p. m. stitvp. m. PORTLAND 44f p. m. uim p. m, EASTBOUND I.T. Arlington Iiiep.m. 714 p.m. Arrival Time Thtn Points: UMATILLA liSS p. m. 9iS p. m. PENDLETON 4iMp.ni. 10140 p.m. Pendleton-Walla Walla Stagei MOTOR COACHES LlAVEi Arlington Hotel , See Railroad Agent at various points en route for tickets and information UNION PACIFIC STAGES, INC. The Lowest Price at wliicr! a Sedan was EVER sold h Dodge Brothers rnrai a BE M RAMS FOB SALE Homneys, Ram bouillets and Hampshires from the famous Coffin ranch, Yakima. See J. J. Kelly, Heppner. 19-21 WANTED Housekeeper for family of four children. Inquire this office. Wanted Man with machine to sail Rawleigh Products in Gilliam county and part Morrow county. Profits $100 to $500 per month selling these Good Health Products. No selling exper ience required. We supply Products Sales and Advertising Literature and A MODERN BARN A good barn designed and equipped in a mod ern way, makes farm profits easier and adds joy to farming. The gambrel-roofed braced-rafter barn pio tared above can be arranged with stalls, pens, bins, sheds, and so' forth to suit the needs jof the builder and this is but one of the many plans we will show you when you call jan us. . We are ready to help you plan a convenient, labor saving barn. Our plans are here for your use. We'd like to talk to you about them and, too, about the use &f ggod material in building the barn. Our Plan-Shop has planned over 200 Barns in the last few years. TUM-A-LUM LUMBER CO. "Plans and Materials for Homes and Farm Buildings" mJ5) iFUU FACTORY EQUIPMENT I 4-OOOftStMN (NOT A COACH) A mile-a-minute performer the fastest Four in America! One horse-power to every sixty-five pounds of chassis weight. And this is only half the story! Here's a car that will look like new and travel like new long after most cars have passed into old age. The answer is quality Dodge Brothers quality! Quality materials and construction unequalled by many cars hundreds of dollars higher in price. Built to give trouble-free, economical service over a long period of time. Longest springbise of any car under $1000. Smart new bodies beautiful lines. A brilliant performer at the lowest price for which a Sedan was ever sold by Dodge Brothers! Cohn Auto Co. Heppner, Ore. MOTHERS J NC, Service Methods. Lowest Prices, Best Values. W. T. Rawleigh Co., Dept. OR 1827, Ookland, Calif. 19-22 PIANO MUST BE SOLD. Will sacrifice fine piano in storage near here. Will give easy terms to a responsible person. For full par ticulars and where piano can be seen address Portland Music Co., 277 th St., Portland, Ore. 19-22 A ranch to rent, 1000 acres; plenty of water. D. E. Gilman, Heppner. Adv. tf.