The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-06-05

suggest that you call on MIR. DE la
Vega first"
The eyes of the dining room fol-
lowed the party as they filed past the
buzzing tables. Faraday was not in
town; Marshall represented that pow
err As he walked out, bowing right
and left. his right hand occasionally
extended In his well-known oratorical,
courteous gesture. His black tie was
stringing down his shirt front; his
black clothes were the worse for his
lunch. But no one, save the Eastern
girls, saw spots or tie. The future Of
that valley lay in that mans hand, no
matter how Black or Grace might
harangue. In five minutes, the dining
room was emptied.
As snow gently falling. had gath-
cred the first damage suits of the
ranchers. The last flood had precipi-
tated temperamental storm. Men
were suing for the possible values Of
their farms, impossible values Of
crops. Not alone the companies bad
been blanketed with the accusing pa
pers, hut against Mexico the white
drifts had piled up. Mexico! No one
Nnew better than Hardin how absurd
It was to accuse the sister country of
responsibility. A pretty pickle they
were ini Where was 1t all going to
end7
In the LOBBY, Hardin ran up against
Brandon, who was following a news
scent. Through the valley 1t was being
rumored that subscriptions were to be
asked for the completion of the work.
II this were the intention. there would
be hot meeting.
"You are going on the platformf"
assumed the newspaper man. "Nol
Then will you sit with met"
"If you will sit upstairs" scowled
Hardin, II don't want to be dragged
onto the platform"
Down In the orchestra. Black from
tho Wlstaria was haranguing group
Of gesticulating ranchers. Phrases
climbed to the MOI on the balcony
seats. "Keep their p!edgea Promise
makers. Let them look at our crops r.
III Marshall expects to coerce
those men. I lose my guess. Then he's
no Judge Of men," cried Hardin.
"Look at those faces" The floor waa
q sea of impassioned features.
Something's going to Drop" echoed
Brandon.
From the wings, Babcock's inQuisi-
tive. glasses were seen to sweep the
house. Hardin could catch the sum
mons Of an excited forefinger to the
group unseen. There was q minute
Of delay. Then Babcock's nervous
toddle carried him onto the stage.
De Ia Vega followed Babcock.
There was a hush Of curiosity. The
house did not know who he was Be
hind him, soldleriy. stiff. stalked Mac
Lean. Marshall's entrance released
the tongues. There was an interval
Of confusion on the stage. Babcock
like q restless terrier, was swapping
ut the heels Of the party. At last
they were all fussily seated. De ID
Vega was given the place Of honor
Marshall. Babcock put on his left
MacLean on the right.
Babcock raised his staccato gavel
A hush fell on the house. His words
were clipped and sharp.
"You have left your plowing to come
here. You are anxious to hear wha
we have to say to you. You canno
afford to be Indifferent to It., You &C
knowledge. by your presence. q de
pendence. q correlation which 20,
would like to deny. Irrigation mean
cooperation, suffering together, strus
Cling together, succeeding together
You prefer the old individual way
each man for himself. ! tell you Il
won't do. You belong In other coun
tries. the countries Of old-fashione'
rain. You want to hear what we hav'
to say to you. the company who savet
the valley, the company you are suing
But you have also suits against Mex
leo. There Is gentleman here wh'
has a message from Mexico abou
those suits. I have the honor, gentle
men, to Introduce, Senor de Ia Vega.
Ladies'" bowed the Mexican. "Gen
tlemen, Mr.. Chairman. 1t Is with Al
appreciation Of the honor that az
cepted for today the invitation of MI
Marshall to speak before you, to speal
to you; must tell you first m
thought as I sat there and looked a
you. the youth, the flower Of the Amer
lean people. A few years ago, W
: were calling this the great Colorad
desert; now, the world calls II tn
dollhouse Of America. This theate
: is built over the bones of gold-seekers
who dared death In this dreade
desert to find what was buried 4
those mountains beyond. The maj
say. who crossed this desert, too
the hazard Of death. 1t was cour
tryman Of mine who piloted. fiftee
years ago. little band OF men. acros
the. desert. Perhaps he camped o
this very spot. II is not impossible
1t Is here, perhaps, that he got hi
inspiration. He saw a wonderful tel
ritory he dreamed to quicken II wit