The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-08-13
A THIRSTY LAND.

James P. DAILY, OF Crystal Canyon; the
other, George Exwell, OF Boston. Both
Of these gentlemen were sitting out
side enjoying the cool refuge which the
shadow OF the hotel afforded from the
burning heat of the plain about them.
The Western man pulled his big,
shapeless hat low over his eyes and
drew quick, short puffs from the little
black brier pipe which he seldom re-
moved from his lips The Fasteners
hat was broad one of stiff straw.
which he tipped to the back Of his head
as he lighted a cigarette and watched
with a growing sense of comfort the
blue smoke curling and writhing on the
still air.
The country was new to Exwell, and
he half closed his eyes to catch once
more the bronze tint which the MONDAY
radiance lent to the sagebrush. The
hills north of the town were miles away,
but he could almost count the scrub
cedars on the slopes, each one stand
ing SO grim and motionless with its
blue shadow about it's foot He did not
realize that he would have to travel
until those shadows lay like long nm
gers to the east before he could reach
the first rise in the land.
The hills on the horizon were faint
and purple and seemed almost floating
in the air. He could see strip OF sky
beneath the ends of the range.
How thirsty it all looks" he NUT
tered. II don't wonder they want wafer
out here"
George drew his matchbox from his
pocket to relight his cigarette, ard,
finding it empty turned to Mr.. DAILY, Of
Crystal Canyon.
Pardon me-" he said. Have you a
match?"
Sure" said the Westerner, produc-
ing some from his pocket. Never trav-
ell without EN-" He handed one to
George and watched him critically as
he began to smoke again. you're Mr..
Exwell, aren't your" he asked. "Of
Boston,"
Eyes, that's my name"
II thought so. ] see your name on
the hotel book just above where
branded it."
George laughed, and DAILY continued
What you think Of the country Mr..
Exwell? Ever been this way beforeT'
NO." said George. 1T looks like a
God-forsaken country to me. I'm not
accustomed to seeing water quarried
and sold'
God forsaken!" repeated Mr.. DAILY,
contemptuously THAT just shows
what you fellows worship back east.
All this coutry needs, sir, Is capital,
and 'twould discount Massachusetts the
whole length of the string and beat
her."
II have heard that publicly stated"
said George, dryly.
Nov, you can take the valley just
south of here" went on the other. "They
call it the Taman prairies Put thai
land under water and you can raise
more peaches the first three years than
was ever raised in all New England OF
ever will be-
YES" said George, 'and it would
take $3.50, 900 and two years time to dc
it,"
"Oh," said Mr.. DAILY, you're in the
scheme, are your"
mot yet" said George, but I've got
a window open on the ground floor and
I'm looking in
Mr. DAILY laughed. "I'll tell it to you
straight" he said. you'll have money
to throw way in four years if you &C
in on the ground floor now"
Il can't wait" said George. my
new house in Dorchester is going to cost
me $4,000"
"Well, l don't deal in Dorchester rea
estate" said Mr. Daily, 'but If die
I'd sell out every foot of it and buy the
first piece out of that irrigation COM
pany that could find lying loose"
'Ifs not matter of real estate deal.
ing" said George, looking steadily of
to the hills. TITS home"
II see," said Mr.. Daily, in an altered
tone. 1--WE been there. / was married
myself once up at Silver Bow, and
tell you sure the first thing we laid GU
for was shanty." He took his pipe
from his mouth and stirred the ashe:
carefully with a toothpick for some
time before he spoke again.
Then he said:
"You see, it's just like this, Mr.. Elk
we'll When you float an. irrigation out
fit, first you're big man because yol
boom up the country, and you get
bonus from the county, and big gran
of land and so FORTH then you make
your own little stake. You kind Of hi
IL off both ways"
Exactly" said George. First 20,
pose as a philanthropist for opening vi
SO much new land, then you line you
own pockets
Sure" said Mr.. DAILY. Il aevel
could talk Boston myself. Well, mus,
hit the trail again. I've got twenty
miles to do to-day yet" and he rose ant
stretched himself.
(which way are you going?" asked
George.
"Oh, live up in Crystal Canyon" h,
ranNad nnddipC TOWARD tho Hills