The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-11-03
CHAPTER TX.
Trouble Brewing.

seadog owned large store. 1t was
q sort OF commissary where all tie
fishermen were compelled to trade,
either directly or indirectly. Those
employed by seadog had 10 trade with
him and the others had to trade with
him also, because be 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 merchandise. This item
covered about veIything. Even
spiritous, venous and malt liquors were
prohibited. Still there we're nearly
half dozen saloons in the place, but
seadog had contracts by which he re-
eeiyed, directly or indirectly, the larger
per cent Of the profits. He also owned
the local cannery. Chinamen were
worked in the place. They lived at
mess house where existence on rice
and spoiled fish was easy, and they
worked for seadog for few cents
day. He had smuggled them overland
across the Canadian boundary and they
believed they were compelled to re-
main In his employ; and they we're in
q measure, for Seadog was not known
In the unlawful transaction and could
have handed them over to the authori-
ties without risk to himself. tie
might have sent some oi his hirelines to
the government prison, but he did not
mind this. Men were cheap and
money valuable.
Old Seadog also owned miles OF fish
traps. The ragged lines 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.
II is true that few men had taken
advantage oi their rights under the
law and had secured locations and had
constr ucted traps, but It was necessary
10 guard these like treasures. II they
were left alone the "stolms" tore up
the piling and seadog's traps were con.
structed In ircnt and on the side Of
them 40 that even the luckless fish
found their way to the fshermens'
traps by the sheerest accident.
One by one they had succumbed 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.
II 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. lie
left nothing OF importance to others.
II was to this fact that he attributed
his success, and he admonished his
sons TO follow In his footsteps.
The storm was raging and the mar
Of wealth did not care to stir abroad
no early. He grew confidential will
Mrs. seadog. He did this occasional
ly. but II was only when mai ters aroa'
that closely affected his business In
terests. He was by no means faith
full husband to her, as many OF th'
fshermen knew, but he had great con
fdence In her good judgment, ant
sought her adivce in the matters tina
weighed upon him heavily.
He was still seated at the table
Daylight bad not yet begun to dawn
The storm was raging. Ihe mist an,
rain fell upon the roof with a raspin
sound. The other members of tn
family had left the dining room. Mrs
seadog did hel own dishes. She al
this from choice because she had bee
brought up TO work.
"Let the WORK go iol awhile, wife
and Get down." said the husband.
Mrs. seadog obeyed the reque'
readily. She knew something Wa
coming. She had already seen II |
her husband'a eyes and in his actionI
But what woman does not like to !
taken into the confidence OF her hui
band2
"Do you know, wife, ] am in NOR
trouble than a trap full OF fish, sal
old eeadog when his wife was seated,
''I thought the foolish prejudiC
against old Ringwold and sankal
was something to worry about, br
now the troubles are multiplying liR
sun fish.
''Ths title to the townsite is threa
ened. The gill netters are prepaIin
for devilment and even the governmer
had secret service man here fe
days ago trying to associate me wit
the unlawful importation OF the pil
tails who work in my cannery."
II do not understand all Of this, Q
even part OF it," said the anxiou
wife. ~ thought you had a deed to th
townsite property. The gllnetters
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
sponsble for that"
"But you can't count on anythin
these daye," continued the fsherma
king. "When old Lapham made th
deed to his homestead that night jul
before he died in drunken fit, thei
were several present. But all of thel
are dead from drowning or otherwis
except one of the witnesses that signt
the instrument. He has got FOOLS
religious ideas in his head and is tr.
ing to make trouble. had my boo
keeper give him 500 and send him
the Sound, and that may quiet hin
But the transaction is beginning
cost me something. Bumbo, the LAY
yei who drew up the deed, was STAN
ing In with the other fellow in a va
and | had to employ him yesterday
the year. He doesn't cost much,
is true, but it all counts in the Ell
when you are not certain they considt
themselves paid in full.
"But | only have 80 keep this ma
ter of about three years more. Da
Lapham Is the only heir. He lie no
nineteen. II he neglects to take actiO
for year after he comes ofage he lost
all his rights under the statute OF lin
itations."
"How about the gillnetteE, hui
band2" inquired Mrs. Seadog.
a 4 A a. -.