Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-02-27
self, Captain" said Robbins. grabbing

| self. Captain" said Robbins. grabbing
at any straw OF peace.
i've been too poor ever since the
war to remember whether ever had
college education or not" retorted
the captain with a sneer II belong to
the people now; their cause is my
cause Where do you belongY We've
tended your folks when you were sick.
ana helped you lay by your crops.
and driven the mortgage sharks on
your stuff. Say, what are you doing
now? Are you monkeying around to
turn traitor or coward, or what's the
matter?"
We're all right, Captain" an
swered Russell, the western burr on
his tongue as soft and leisurely as
ever, and no hint OF excitement In his
manner; but see no harm In letting
Mr.. Wallace answer our questions be-
fore we fly off the handle" So say
| ing, before the captain realized his
purpose he edged through the crowd
| to Wallace'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
running round the circle. "If you
don't like 1t you can refuse and send
me home-to make other arrange
ments."
| ty't RI
home," said Orr. 1t was the first time
that he had spoken. Wallace flashed
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 examine it!"
They had not expected such an an
swer. little vibration ran like a
wave over the gaunt, terociously at
tentive faces. Wallace's eyes were
fixed on Orrs face. which did not
change. Orr's hand was in the breast
Of his ragged waistcoat
You people have certainly had the
devils own time and through no fault
of yours, unless It's fault that you
aren't quitters!"
That's right" said Robbins. Orr's
eyes narrowed little. Wallace con-
tinued, not taking his own eyes on
the farmers:
This country is all right when
there's 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; II we
dig bitches, of the river running dry:
We can get"
And who'll pay for irrigationT
voice demanded Wallace did not
shift his gaze to the speaker; he
talked to Orr as II Orr were the only
man in the room: we expect to fur.
nish the money"
And what will happen till the
bitches are digged"
There's alfalfa to be raised on all
these abandoned fields"
And what's to become Of us?" said
Orr. Il can see where you folks can
git a holt and come out even; but
what's going to become OF us? Are
we to move off the earth and let you
stay here2"
Every one listened for Wallace's
answer. Even the boy in the door
way, returning with Wallace's bag.
stood half scared at the foot OF the
stairs, not daring to go forward.
why not stay and take pot luck
with u.s." said Wallace, coolly, I'VE
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 in.
terests as we'll as yours to make a
deal with you and to make one that
will be satisfactory. Isn't it?''
Orr's hand dropped to his side. he
shuftied his feet, his eyes turned from
Wallace to seek the captain. Il hadn't
figured 1t out you was going to make
any such proposition" said the cap
tain.
Perhaps you thought We intended
to chuck you all out In the cold and
hog everything. We are neither such
pigs nor such fools. You fellows can
help us more than anybody else. Here
Is Johnny. Now, let's come to bust
ness; but first, Johnny, get some
glasses. Well all drink to the new
deal"
And afterwards they told with
chuckles how even the captain, who
was an original Prohibitionist before
he became Populist, touched his lips
to the glass that was passed over the
big map.
"All 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; does it go?"
After an hour of talk over the maps,
he repeated the question. and the cap
tain himself led the chorus. 1T goes.
Well all stand by you'll"
The blizzard had not come, and the
moon was shining when George Rob
bins and Wesley Orr drive home from
town. A basket 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 hoarse and husky
voice. Orr looked solemnly ahead In
to the little wavering disk OF radiance
that their lantern cast. Once he shiv
cred violently, but he was not cold.
Suddenly he spoke. There was quiv.
er In his face and his voice. but all
he said was, Say, he was dead right
Ma Maa 60 dasnarata Wa Waa crazy