The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-05-14
NO. 6.


that were thus placed in a precariouss
position. Nearly all the settlers in that.
section wern victims of the Paradise
Park boom, andi now found themselves
stranded. Very, few of. them had three
months supply of provisions on hand,
and none Oft them. had money. The.
farms were all under mortgage to the;
eastern capitalists, so they could not
borrow money, and it was useless to-
think of earning anything in that part
of the country, for there was no ems
ployment to be had.
In this state of affairs somebody
called meeting of the settlers at
Markham's store, and when the day
came around John Green went over TO.
see what could be done. There were
twenty-five or thirty other men there's.
all with sad, hronzed faces and qual1ing.
hearts. The men spoke together in low,
earnest tones. There was none of the,
joking and laughing in which men thus
assembled usually indulge. Not a
smile disturbed the gloom that hung
over the meeting. No hopeful light
kindled in the eyes Of the poor settlers.
It was a solemn occasion and weighty
matters occupied the thoughts of, all
that gatheringof stouthearted pioneers,
Before them and their families they
saw nothing but starvation, and it is not
to be wondered that their cheeks we're
blanched and their eyes dull and heavy
with anxiety and fear.
The situation was discussed in all its
phases and innumerable plans of action
weresuggested. Some favored giving up
the land and moving away, but great
many like Green were too poor to goi.
and knew of no place where they could
better their condition, even if they
were able to make the change. After
a great many had given their opinions
some one called on Green to speak.
"Men," Green began as he arose, 1--WE
are placed in position where it is
hard to find any way out We have
nothing but our claims, and unfortu-
nately they are in the grasp of the
money Shylocks of the east. The ma
iority of us are little better than pau
pers. We have no money, we have no
provisions, and our land, the only pos
session we have. is being devoured day
by day by that gormand,, high interest.
The country in all this part of the state,
is in desolation, and there is nothing for,
us to do to earn bread for ourselves and
families. Yet we must eat or die, and
we cannot starve. We must find some
way of earning livelihood"
That's so," said some one, 'but how
is it to be done?"
"That's what am coming to-" John,
replied but, after all, my suggestions
may not be worth much. There are
e0'0o mon here who hove friends in the
east VINO are able and willing to aid
them. Those men can get means to,
tide them over the present difficulties,
Or, if they prefer, can return east with,
their families. Those who are thus
fortunately situated need have no.
anxieties and fears. But there are.
some of us who are less fortunate and
who have no one to look to for as
sistance. We who are in that condition
must have recourse to our own ener.r
gies. We must earn living, and,
since we cannot do that here, we must
go where it can be done. In short,
men, we must leave our families here,
and go back east in search of work.
Back in eastern Kansas and in Missouri
employment can be had at some wages,
and even if we earn but little we ought
to feel thankful if it enables us to keep
our families alive"
When Green sat down several Others
spoke, all in Endorsement Of his plan,
and at last it was agreed to by the
meeting. 1t seemed hard thing to go.
away leaving the wives and the chill
dren out there on the bare, brown
plains, without friends or money; but.
there was no alternative. 1t was that.
or worse. So it was agreed that on the
following Monday all those who wished
to 90 east in search of employment
should meet at Markham's store and
start from there in body.
After the meeting John went home
and informed his wife of the proposed
plan. Her face paled as he spoke, and
the Years SJdTJeu W llGI SyOS, Dut Wltiis
aneffort she controlled her feelings, and
true to her nature attempted to look
cheerfully on the arrangement.
II regret having to leave you and
Louise thus" John said, "but see no
way to avoid it, and besides the separa-.
ton will not last long"
"Never mind us, john" said Mary.
"We shall get along all right. We shalk
miss you and feel lonely while you ara
away, but we shall look forward to the
time when you will come back to u.s..
and the autumn and the winter will
soon pass. Cheer up, dear John, and,
don't worry on our account"
CHAPTER XIII.
MsFoRTUNEs DO NOT COME sINGLY.
It was Tuesday that the meeting of!
settlers took place at Markham's store,
and all day Wednesday Mary Green.
busted herself arranging Johns cloth,
ing and preparing for his departure.
John was away most of the day looking,
after some business affairs, and Louise
went over to the store to make some.
kriflinp nurnhacaa