Gilpin observer., 1917-05-17
Third Episode.

Helen's exceptional intelligence and
mental alertness made her an apt
pupil of the telegraph operator at
Jacksonville, so that within three
months after her meeting with Rupert
Holmes, she was able to send and take
messages with facility that aston
ished her instructor. Within six
months she was able to take the mes
sages of the fastest sender on the cir
cult.
The situation existing in the lumber
territory adjacent to Dawson was a
peculiar one. The railway itself was
but pawn in the shrewd game which
the trust was playing in its effort to
control the northern forests. 1t had
been built by the Amalgamated at the
insistence of Rupert Holmes, in order
to tap the rich holdings of the inde-
pendent owners to the north and east
of Jacksonville.
No sooner was it put in operation
than Holmes gave orders to boost the
freight rates, for he was not hampered
in that day by interstate commerce leg
islation, and he figured that if the
rates were gradually raised to n point
where the independents could no long
er ship except at loss, they would
be forced, In order to save themselves,
to sell their holdings to the trust at
the trusts price.
But just as Holmes had ridden to
success on the Importance of a river,
80 his latest scheme was doomed to
failure because he had forgotten the
fact. The Calapooia boom rights, which
wealth, had been no more important
proportionately than were the boom
rights of the Oregonia.
And just as Holmes, twenty years
before, had owned the boom rights on
the Calapooia, so the same privileges
on the smaller stream were controlled
by a shrewd old homesteader named
Timothy Thomas. Under the terms of
the homestead act Thomas had still
five months to live on his land before
the government would give him clear
title to it. And the boom rights on the
Oregonia went with the land.
With the completion of the railway,
old Tim Thomas began to see light
shining on the tortuous channel of the
Oregonia. When the Amalgamated put
Its staggering freight rates into effect
on the new line, Independent owners
turned perforce to the only other chan
mel Of transportation-the river.
Ao n raSult x-ithfp raor ofxar xha
last rail had been laid and the last
spike driven, the railway sidings were
filed with fiat cars lying idle, while
the once despised Oregonia was fairly
choked with logs hurtling along on
their way to the coastwise mills. It
was transformation that delighted
old Tim Thomas, for on every log float
ed away its owner paid him toll.
1t is not difficult, therefore, to COM
prehend why Rupert Holmes was In
an unpleasant mood, when, on his re-
turn from prolonged business visit
to European points, he summoned his
confidential manager to a conference.
"Clarkson," he began abruptly,
that fellow Thomas, with his cursed
boom rights has us In devil of a hole.
He seems to be doing all the business
while the railroad is not paying for
Its grease"
"The railway is in bad shape" Clark
son admitted. There is hardly any
business outside the passenger traffic
and little local freight"
you're right there" said Holmes.
I'VE can't compete with the river SO
the Job we've got before us is as plain
as the nose on your face. Wen have
to close the river up."
"How?" demanded Clarkson, curl.
ously.
by buying Thomas out, lock. stock
and BARREL" Holmes answered. "Hell
make us pay through the nose, / sup.
pose. but II can't be helped now. We're
In hole and we've got to get out OF
II before we sink any deeper"
Il ran down to Jacksonville a month
ago." said Clarkson. 'and had tall
with Thomas. told him we NIGH
consider buying the river rights II tn,
price was low enough
"Oh. he'll sell, all right, II we offel
enough" Holmes said cynically. "Ever,
man has his price. Where is Behren,
nowf"
He was at Dawsonville a day o.
two ago." the other replied.
Good That's just where I wan
him. He can put through this dea
II anyone can. Just take down thi
telegram:
william Behrens, Dawsonville ~
10 imperative that we acquire immedi
stely. boom rights on Oregonla, nov
owned by Timothy Thomas. See hin
and close deal without delay. An
wiring Hewitt, lawyer. Capital City
TO meet you at Dawnsonville tonigh
and draw papers. Holmes"
The message was taken of the wir
late that afternoon by the operate
at Dawsonville. The operator was
very pretty girl who wrinkled he
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