Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-05-24
diRagreeably.

whats wrong with Holt7 He'll do
temporarily"
81 couldn't feel positive Of his being
satisfactory to General Cornish. He's
d very young man, amt hep
Eyes, | suppose you'd call him a
young man, but he has been with the
road for a long time and has a pretty
level head | have found him very
Trustworthy"
81 would have much greater conf
dence In Kerr. He's quiet and conserv-
ative, and he's had an excellent train
ing with u.s."
"Well, then, you can get him. He is
doing nothing and will be glad to
come"
But you have probably succeeded
In antagonizlng him"
81 hope So" with sudden cheerful
ness. "It was hardship not TO be able
to give him sound thrashing. That's
what he deserved"
Holloway looked shocked. The young
man was displaying recklessness Of
temper which was most unseemly and
entirely unexpected.
81 guess 1t will be well for you TO
think IT over Oakley, before you con-
clude TO break with General Cornish.
To go now will be rather shabby Of
you, and you owe him fair treatment.
Just remember 1t was those reforms Of
yours that started the strike, in the
first place. | know-I know. What
you did you did with his approval The
men are peaceable enough, amt they?'
and he glared at Oakley with mingled
disfavor and weariness.
Anybody can handle them but me-"
1T won't be long until they are beg
ging you to open the shops. They will
be mighty sick of the trouble they've
shouldered when their money is all
gone"
"They will never come to me for
that, Mr.. Holloway" said Dan. Il
think they would, one and all, rather
starve than recognize my position"
They'll have to. Wen make them.
We mustn't let them think we are
weak kening."
"You don't appreciate the feeling OF
intense hostility they have for me-"
'Of course the murder of that man
what was his nameT
Ryder. you mean"
WAS unfortunate. l don't wonder
you have some feeling about going
back"
Dan smiled sadly.
The vice president was wonderfully
moderate In his choice Of words. He
added: But II Is really best for the
interest Of those concerned that you
should go and do what you can to bring
about a settlement"
ut would be the sheerest idiocy for
me to attempt 1t. The town may go
hungry from now to the end OF It's
days. but 1t won't have me at any
price"
Il always told Cornish he should sell
the road the first opportunity he got.
He had the chance once and you talked
him out OF 1t. Now you don't want to
stand by The situation"
II do" said Oakley. rising. II want
to see an understanding reached with
the men, and l am going to do what I
can TO help along. You will please
to consider that have resigned. |
don't for the life OF me see how you
can expect me to show my face In
Antioch" And with that he stalked
from the place. He was thoroughly
angry. He heard Holloway call after
him;
81 won't accept your resignation.
You'll have TO walt until you see Cor,
nlshw
Dan strobe out into the street, not
knowing what he would do, Vie was
dlsheartened and exaspcrated at the
stand Holloway had taken.
Presently his anger moderated and
his pace slackened He had been quite
oblivious to what was passing about
him, aud now for the first time, above
the rattle of carts and trucks, he heard
the newsboys shrilly calling an extra.
He caught the words, AN about the
big forest fire." repeated over and over
again
He bought paper and opened Il
idly. but double loaded headline ar
rested his attention. II was brief
special from Backhorn Junction. lie
read IL with fcverish interest Antioch
was threatened with complete destruc-
ton 10y the forest fires, which for sew
er,l weeks had been raging In the
northern part OF the state An traffic
was suspended. and the exact coudl-
tlou could only be guessed at. hut there
had been repeated calls for help The
ne ghhorius towns lld responded TO
these appeals 10y sending fire engines
aud hose which were suu waiting at
Junction TO 40 throu-u Oak.
ley knew that the long drought had SO
the available water supply
that iu am emergency OF this kind An
tiuvh must depend on the river
The town derived It's regular water
supply from % staudplpc fed from "a
small reservoir In ordinary seasons
and under ordinary circumstances the
force was sufficient 90 meet an needs.
but ou AN occasion such MS the present
the equipment OF the local fire depart
mcut, consisting of two hose carts and
a single old fashioned hand engine.