Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-07-15
A THIRSTY LAND.

A THIRSTY LAND.
The register of the Mesa House at
| Blackwater showed but two signatures
under the date Of July 15-one was
James P. DAILY Of Crystal Canyon, the
other George Exwell Of Boston. Both Of
these gentlemen were sitting outside
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,
Eshapeless hat low over his eyes and
drew quick, short puffs from the little
black brier pipe which ne seldom re-
moved from his lips. The easterner's
hat was broad one of stiff straw,
which he tipped to the back of his head
as he lighted 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, anG
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
standing so grim and motionless with
it's blue shadow about its foot. He did
mot realize that he would have to travel
until those shadows lay like long fingers
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 a strip of sky
beneath the ends Of the range.
| "How thirsty it all looks!'' he NUT
tered. 'I dom t wonder they want water
out here.
| George drew his matchbox from HI!
pocket to relight his cigarette and fnt'
ing it empty turned to Mr.. DAILY u
| Crystal Canyon.
| ssPardon me-" he said. "Have you {
match?''
"Sure,'' said the westerner, produc
ing some from his pocket. Never trave
without 'em.'' He handed one t.
George and watched him critically a
he began to smoke again. you're Mr.
Exwell, aren't you?" he asked. 80
Boston?"
eyes, that's my name. -
"I thought So see your name OF
the hotel book just above where
branded it. !" George laughed, and Dal.
continued: what you think of tn
: country, Mr.. Exwell? Ever been thi
way before?''
ssNo," said George "It looks like
God forsaken country to me. I'm no
accustomed to seeing water quarried all
, sold.''
: "God forsaken!" repeated Mr.. Dal
contemptuously '.That just show
what you fellers worship back east
All this country needs, sir, is capital
and 'twould discount Massachusetts, tn
whole length of the string and bea
her.
IT have heard that publicly stated,
said George dryly.
'sNow you take the valley just sout
of here" went on the other. 'The
call it the Taman prairies. Put ths
land under water and yen can rails
more peaches the first three years tina
v was ever raised in ali New England {
L ever will be. ="
eyes," said George, ''and it woul
take $150,0O0 and two years time
do it.
"Oh," said Mr.. Daily, "you re in Il
scheme, are yOu?"
"Not yet said George, '.but ~
got window open On the ground f1ot
and I'm locking in.
Mr.. Daily laughed. "I'n tell it
you straight, he said you'll ha,
money to throw way in four years
you go in CT the ground floor now"
N. 81 can't wait" said George. IN
= new house in Dorchester is going to CO
rS me $50, 900"
"Well, don t deal in Dorchester re
estate, said Mr.. DAILY, but if / d
I'd sell out every foot of it and buy tt
Ill first piece out of that irrigation COZ
: pany that I could find lying loose"
: ''It's not matter of real estate des
y ing" said George, looking steadily {
It's to the hills ''Its a home"
II see, !" said Mr. Daily in an alter
a1 M tone 'I've been there l was marri
myself once up at Silver Bow, and
Mt tell you sure the first thing we laid o
for was shanty." He took his pi
!. from his mouth and stirred the ash
carefully with toothpick for sol
time before he spoke again.
Then he said: "You see, it's just Ii
}. this, Mr.. Exwell. When you float an
rigation outfit, first you re big m
because you boom up the country, a
you get bonus from the county, and
big grant of land and so forth; then y
~ make your own little stake. You XII
w. of hit it off both ways
Exactly, said George. "First y
pose as philanthropist for opening
SD much now land; then you line yc
own pockets. -
va 'sSure, said Mr.. Daily. IT ne,
could talk Boston myself Well, m,
hit the trail again. I've got 30 miles
do today yet," and he rose and stretch
himself
(Which way are you going?" ash
George.
"Oh, I live up in Crystal Canyon, -
replied. nodding toward the hi,
"That's the outfit I'm travelling will
and he indicated wiry little stra
berry roam which seemed to be aim
staggering under an enormous sad
with lariat on the pommel and blan
rolled behind. GIVE been down to II
sons round up, he added 1--WE worl
pretty near the whole of Butte cou
last week.
$50 that's real cattle pony, is i
, said George. "I've often heard
them.
. "Cattle pony?" said the otl
"Well, slightly. You can wheel
= Sn =