Cheyenne record., 1919-07-10
CHAPTER III.
The Blessing Of Arldlty.

ne Blessing OF ATIoity.
When Richard left the main line at
lpStrial Junction the next afternoon
his eyes followed the train he was
deserting rather than the one that
was to carry him to his new labors
He felt again the thrill of detachment
that invariably preceded his entrance
into a new country. With the pulling
up Of the porter's green-carpeted stool.
the slamming of the train gates, the
curtain fell on the Tucson set scene.
The long line of cars was pushing
off with it's linen-covered Pullmans
and diners, steaming down grade
toward the Sink. the depression which
mad been primeval sea, and then des-
rrt, and was now sea again. Old
Beach, rechristened Imperial Junction
for railroad convenience. was itself
lower than the ancient sea line where
nnce the gulf had reached. Richard
knew he could find shells at that des-
ert station should he look for them.
He picked up his bag that the porter
had thrown on the ground and faced
the rung- down curtain.
Its painted scene was yellow sta
ton house broiing under a desert
sun; II large water tank beyond, and
in the distance the inevitable card
board mountains, like property scene
shifts, fiat md thin in their unreal
hucs of FURNISHED pink and purple.
dusty accommodation train was back
Ing and switching, picking up the
empty refrigerator cars to carry Into
the valley for the early melon growers.
Already the valley had asserted It's
industrial importance; the late ram
page 3f the Colorado had made 1t
spectacular. Those who would pay
little attention to the opening Of
new agricultural district in the heart
Of dreaded desert opened their ears
to the vagary of the river which had
sportIvely made of II part Of that deS-
Nrt an inland sea. Scientists were
rushing their spcculations into print;
would the sea dwindle by evaporation,
IS 1t had done before? Or would the
overflow maintain the paradoxicnl
sen?
The food signs were apparent
There crncks had split the desert
sand; here water assures had men
,crd the track; and to the south
fringe of young willows hid the path
Of the Colorado's debouch.
The men crowding the platform
wore the motley of the new country.
In Tucson the uniform of the male
itlzcns. with the exception of those
reckless ones who found inevitably
that lotus is liquid, was the wilted
prctensc of gentle civilization; de-
spOndcnt ducks and khakis and limp
collars. Imperial Junction marked the
downfall of the collar. The rest of
the composite costume was irregular,
badly laundered and torn. faded and
iunhurncd; the clothes of the desert
soldier. Richard saw buttonlcSs
shirts, faded ovoralls. shabby hats
he sOmhrcro of Mexico. The faces
lnder the broad brimmed hats made
'enring impression upon him of youth
md eagcrness. He noted significant
average Of intelligence and alertneSs.
his was not the indolent group of
ncu which makes prctenSe of OCcu-
patton whenever a train comes in!
"Going in?" asked n voice at his ear.
4 pair of faded eyes set in II young
Md face. whether early withered or
well preserved he had not time to de-
,ermine. WAS staring at him.
He assured his interlocutor that he
vas going in. His mood isolated the
phrase; its significance vastly differ
Int from going on"
'Buylngf'
81 think not"
inspected n renl estate agent. For
hind Is lOw-rock bottom prices on
bccount of the uneasineSs about the
liver. People are afraid. They want
70 see the company redeem some of
It's promises before they come in and
the company isn't in much Of
hurry"
Rickard asked what company he re-
serred TO.
The young-old fnce with the faded
eyes looked at him in surprise. "The
b. Il. company. Desert Reclamation,
which brought us all here"
"Scampsi' The newcomers survey
Of the long line of naked mountains
and lean lands that formed the neck
Of the valley gave a snub Of casual
ness to the question
mo. Fools!" The answer was as
swift as bullet. Though some
peoule think them worse than that.
--'. r, 90 far: I'm willing to say