Tombstone epitaph., 1917-07-15

/ MedUc, eO suuueuiy reOuCeO 10 IQo
ranks. would have chafed against the
position Of subordination and would
have resented the humble duties with
which he was charged. But Meade
was happy to be following. even In this
extremely modest way, the profession
that he loved. And he did his unim-
portant work with zeal and care. 1t
Is not much to say, but he was the
most efficient Of the Junior engineering
force on the dam.
1t was not because Meade was IN.
social that he kept to himself-not at
all. From his own galvanized-iron
quarters he used to stare longingly at
the men grouped around the big camp.
fires, for the nights were growing chill,
smoking and laughing. exchanging ex-
periences and telling stories. Nothing
would have pleased him better than to
have Joined in, and he could have told
stories and related experiences that
would have been unique even in that
gay crowd of young adventures. But
he did not dare. He feared to betray
himself. What he wanted above ev-
erything was to preserve his incognito.
1t would be fatal TO his chances of ever
| working up to anything worth while
IL they found out who he was.
And he had a tremendous pride to
sustain him. They respected him now.
As a matter of fact, they put his with
drawal of himself down to vagaries of
temperament or causes they could not
imagine, and they grew rather to like
him even as they left him alone. And
few Of the men OF the humber sort
to whom he had been kind on occasion
and helpful, were stoutly devoted to
him.
The idleness of an aimless life did
not appeal to him even in his off-duty
periods. Doing nothing had no attrac.
ton. He could not get relief that way
Even rambling alone about the hills
would not serve. So quick and active
a man, so vigorous and buoyant q
| spirit, so strong body and mind were
not calculated for aimless wandering
| Meade was a very accomplished en-.
gineer indeed. There was no branch
of the art about which he did not know
a little, although hydraulics and struc.
tural steel were the things that mos,
| appealed to him. He got relief in the
duality of his affections for these
branches Of his profession. Neither one
Of them ever palled on him because he
did not work monotonously at either OF
them. He had a natural instinct fol-
topography, and instead Of purpose.
lessly strolling about the country, he
made q careful inspection of the valley
which was to be converted into a huge
reservoir by the dam.
The dam itself was. perhaps. ar
eighth Of a mile long at the bottom and
touched the receding hill on one side
and the spur of Spanish mesa on the
other at the top-a huge mound OF
earth with clay core extending from
side to side at the parrowest part OF
the valley. When completed 1t would
bed, with a roadway 20 feet broad or
top Of II. Below the dam and on the
low ground between the mesa and
Baidwin's knob the camp. with its gal
vanized iron shops, bunkhouses, dining
halls, Kitchens and officers quarters
had been erected. The configuratior
of the ground was such that, although
it was unusual to put them there, con
venience had rendered it desirable In
this case.
II was intended to complete the dan
before the early spring of next year
! which WAS IL any time in the cOuntr,