The Washington herald., 1913-03-30

fore the captain realized his purpose
he edged through the crowd to Wal
lace's side. Robbins followed him:
and the eyes of all the others turned
to The three. menacing and eager.
| "All ask is to answer questions and
to make my proposition to you" said
Wallace. his fearless young eyes run
ming around the circle. IF you don't
like 1t you can refuse and send ms
home-to make other arrangements"
No. we amt going to send you
| home" said Orr. 1t was the first time
| that he had spoken. Wallace flashed a
keen glance at him and spoke his next
words directly to him. But I'm sure
you won't want to do it. You see. I'm
your last chance. and you have to ex-
anime it,
| They had not expected such an an
swer. little vibration ran like q
| wave over the gaunt, ferociously at
| tentive faces. wallace's eyes were
| fixed on Orr's face. which did not
change. Orr's hand was in the breast
Of his ragged waistcoat.
you people have certainly had tho
| devils own time and through no fault
of your, unless it's a fault that you
| aren't quitters"
That's right" said Robbins. orr's
eyes narrowed a little. Wallace con-
| tinued. not taking his own eyes of
the farmers:
This country Is all right when
there's a good year. but the good years
come so seldom, What you fellows
need down here is not free silver. but
free water. With plenty of water you
can raise big crops: and down In the
valley there is not the danger. IL we
dig bitches. of the river running dry:
We can GET
And who'll pay for irrigation" a
voice demanded. Wallace did not shift
his gaze to the speaker: he talked 10
Orr as IL Orr were the only man in the
room: We expect to furnish the
money"
"And what will happen till the
bitches are digged?'
There's alfalfa to be raised on all
these abandoned fields"
Orr. Il can't see where you folks can
git a holt and come out even: buc
what's going TO become Of u.s. Are
we to move off the earth and let you
stay here?'
Every one listened for wallace's an
swer. Even the boy in the doorway.
returning with Wallaces bag. stood
half scared at the foot OF the stairs.
not daring to go forward.
Why not stay and take pot luck
with us?" said Wallace. coolly. We
bought the mortgages cheap. and we'll
sell them cheap Well sell water
rights cheap also. And you will make
better colonists than any We could
import cheaper. too. It's for our
deal with you and to make one that
will be satisfactory. Isn't it,
Orr's hand dropped to his side. he
shuf1ed his feet. his eyes turned from
Wallace to seek the captain Il hadn't
figured IL out you was going TO make
any such proposition" said the cap
tain.
Perhaps you thought We intended 10
chuck you all out in the cold and hog
everything We are neither such pigs
nor Such tools You fellows can help US
more than ANYBODY else. Here IS John
nv Now, let's come 10 business: but
first. Johnny. get some glasses. Wen
all drink to the new deal
And afterwards they told with chuckles
how even the captain. who was an oriSi-
nal Prohibitionist before he became a
Populist. touched his lips to the glass
that was passed over the big map.
IAN YOU folks here need Is hope. said
the cheerful young Iowan; you have
plenty of pluck and plenty OF sense and
oodles OF experience: and We stand ready
TO put In the capital. Now, what do you
say COeS u So.
After an hour of talk over the maps.
he repeated the question. and the captain
himself led the chorus, 1T goes. Well
all stand by you"
The blizzard had not come. and the
moon was shining when George Robbins
and Wesley Orr drive home from town.
A ba sket was carefully held on Orr's
knees. Robbins was caroling the chorus
to Johnny Harvard and wishing
health to him and his true love at the
top Of a hcarse and husky voice. Orr
looked solemnly ahead into the little
wavering disk OF radiance that their
lantern cast. Once he shivered Violent
ly. but he was not cold. Suddenly he
spoke. There was quiver in his face
and his voice. but all he said was. Say.
he was dead right. We was so desperate
we was crazy. Hope. that was what We
needed. and he give II to us: but how
some fellers would have messed that job.
getting round to that same proposal We
all wanted TO hug him for, And-lm
glad he didn't. I'm mighty glad We
didn't git a chance to do what We set
out to DO. He was slick. Say. what is
il they call them newspaper boys Spell
binders? That's hin-a frst-class, A.
spellbinder."