The Western news., 1904-11-16
Bv Paul De LdneV
CHAPTER IN.
Trouble Brewing.
Author Of lord Of ff,e Desert" Oregon Sketches"
and other Pacific Coast Stories

CHAPTER TX.
Trouble Brewing.
Seadog owned large store. 1t was
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 mt rchandise. This item
covered about eve,ything. Even
apiritous, venous and malt liquors were
prohibited. Still there were nearly
half dozen saloons in the place, but
Seadog 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
mess house where existence on rice
and spoiled fish was easy, and they
worked for Seadog for few cents q
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
a measure, for Seadog was not known
in the unlawful transaction and could
have handed them ever to the authori-
ties without risk to himself. He
might have sent some oil his hjrelings to
the pover nment 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.
1t is true that few men had taken
advantage Of their rights under the
law and had secured locations and had
constr ucted traps, but 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-
etructed in frcnt and on the side of
them 90 that even the luckless fish
found their way to the fishermens'
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.
1t was on the fatal morning upon
which Sanksla and Ringwold dared
the storm Old Seadog was up
early, as was his custom. He euperin-
tended all of his own business. He
Aeft nothing of importance to others.
1t 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 man
Of wealth did not care to stir abroad
30 early. He grew confidential with
Mrs. Seadoe. Fle did this occasional
ay, but it was only when matters arose
that closely affected his business in
terests. He was by no means faith
ful husband to her, az many OF the
fishermen knew, but he had great con-
fidence 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 etorm was raging. The miet and
rain fell upon the roof with a rasping
sound. The other members of the
family had left the dining room. Mrs.
6eadog did he, own dishes. She did
this from choice because she had been
brought up to work.
''Let the work 60 fol awhile, wife,
and set down." said the husband.
Mrs. Seadog obeyed the request
readily. She knew something was
coming. She had already seen 1t in
her husbands eyes and in his actions.
But what woman does not like to be
taken into the confidence Of her hus.
band7
"Do you know. wife, I am in more
trouble than trap full OF fish, said
old Seadog when his wife was seated.
II thought the foolish prejudice
against old Ringwold and Sankala
was something to worry about, but
now the troubles are multiplying like
sun fish.
"Ths title to the townsite is threat
ened. The gill netters are preparing
for devilment and even the government
had secret service man here q few
days ago trying to associate me with
the unlawful importation of the pig
tails who work in my cannery."
81 do not under stand all Of this, or
even part of it," said the anxious
wife. II thought you had deed to the
townsite property. The & llnetters I
thought had recognized your measure
ment of the river, and a. to the impor.
tation of the Cinnamon, supposed the
and his son-in-law were re.
sponslble for that"
"But you can't count on anything
these days." continued the fisherman
king. "When old Laphsm made the
deed to his homestead that night just
before he died in q drunken fit, there
were several present. But all of them
are dead from drowning or otherwise,
except one of the witnesses that signed