The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-11-12
CHAPTER TX.
Trouble Brewing.

SradOg owned large store. III WAS
a sort of commissary where all tie
fishermen were compelled to trade,
either directly or indirectly. Those
employed by Seadog had to trade with
him and the others had TO trade with
him also, because he had plated the
town and placed proviso in the deed
to all the lots which he sold to the
effect that the grantee should not deal
In certain M rchandise. This Item
covered about everything. Even
spurious, venous and malt liquors we've
prohibited. Still there were nearly
half dozen saloons in the place, but
seadoc had contracts by which he re-
ceived, directly or indirectly, the larger
per cent of the profits. He also owned
The local cannery. Cinnamon were
worked in the place. They lived at a
mess house where existence on rice
and spoiled fish was easy, and they
worked for Seadog for few cents a
day. He had smusgled them overland
across the Canadian boundary and they
believed they were compelled to re-
main in his employ; and they were In
a measure, for Seadog was not known
in the unlawful transaction and could
have handed them ever to the authorl-
ties without risk to himself. He
might have sent some OF his hjrelings to
the Cover nment prison, but he did not
mind this. Men were cheap and
money valuable.
Old Seadog also owned miles OF fish
traps. The ragged liues of piling
forming wings and hearts extended up
and down the bay and to the middle OF
the river from Disappointment to Nc
Gowan's, about dozen miles.
1t is true that few men had taken
advantage OF their rights under the
law and had secured locations and had
stlucted traps, bnt it was necessary
to guard these like treasures. If they
were left alone the "stolms' tore up
the piling and Seadog's traps were con-
structed in frcnt and on the side of
them 80 that even the luckless fish
found their way to the fshermens'
traps by the sheerest accident.
One by one they had succumhed and
sold to Seadog at his own price, except
the few who preferred to work and
barely live than become the slaves OF
any man.
1t was on the fatal morning upon
which Sankala and Ringwold dared
the storm Old Seadog was up
early, as was his custom. He superin-
tended all of his own business. He
left nothing of importance to others.
1t was to this fact that be attributed
his success, and he admonished his
sons to follow in his footsteps.
The storm was raging and the man
of wealth did not care to stir abroad
go early. He grew confidential with
Mrs. Seadog. Fle did this occasional
ly. but it was only when matters arose
that closely affected his business in
terests. He was by no means faith
full husband to her, as many Of the
Fl hermen knew, but he had great con-
fdence in her good judgment, and
sought her advice in the matters that
weighed upon him heavily.
He was still seated at the table.
Daylight had not yet begun to dawn.
The storm was raging. The mist and
rain fell upon the roof with rasping
sound. The other members of the
family had left the dining room. Mrs.
Seadog did hen own dishes. She did
this from choice because she had been
brought up to work.
"Let the work 60 for awhile, vile,
and set down. said the husband.
Mrs. Seadog obeyed the request
readily. She knew something was
coming. She had already seen it in
her husbands eyes and in his actions
But what woman does not like to be
taken into the confidence of her hus
band?
"Do you know, wife, ana in more
trouble than trap full of fish, sale
old Seadog when his wife was seated.
81 thought the foolish prejudice
against old Ringwold and Sankals
was something to worry about, but
now the troubles are multiplying like
sun fish.
''The title to the townsite is threat
ened. The gill METERS are preparing
for devilment and even the government
had secret service man here a few
days ago trying to associate me with
the unlawful importation of the pig
tails who work in my cannery."
81 do not under al and all of this, Of
even part of it," said the anxioul
wife. 81 thought you had deed to ths
townsite property. The gillnetters
thought had recognized your measure
ment of the river, and "a to the impor
tation of the Cinnamon, supposed tn,
half-breed and his SON. in law were re
sponslble for that"
"But you can't count on anythin,
these days." continued the fisherma,
king. "When old Lapham made tn
iced to his homestead that night jus
before he died in drunken fit, Their
were several present. But all of then
are dead from drowning or otherwise
except one of the witnesses that signe,
the instrument. He has got foolisl
religious ideas in his head and is try
ing to make trouble. [ had my book
keeper give him 500 and send him t
the Sound, and that may quiet him