Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-03-13
ginning to see what he's up against

ginning to see what he's up against"
ran Hardin's stormy thoughts.
He was on his feet the next minute
with motion to complete the Hardin
headgate. Violently he detained to
Babcock and AIacLean his wrongs, the
Injustice that had been done him. Mar
shall had let that fellow Maitland con-
vince him that the gate was not prac-
ticable; had 1t not been for him the
gate would be In place now: NIL this
time and money saved. And the Matt
land dam, built instead! Where was
1t? Where was the money. the time.
put In that little toy7 Slckening! His
lace PURIFIED over the memory. Why
was he allowed TO begin again with
the gate? ANSWER me that. Why
was allowed to begin again? It's all
child's play, that's what it il. And
when am In 1t again up to my neck
he pulls me on"
This was the real Hardin. the un-
fcouth, averaged Lawrence student
The new manner was Just veneer.
Richard had been expecting it to wear
thin.
Il think" interjected Richard. ''that
we all agree with Mr.. Marshall, Mr..
Hardin, that wooden headgate on silt
Foundation could never be more than
makeshift. I understood that the
first day he visited the river with you
he had the idea to put the ultimate
gate, the gate which would control the
water supply Of the valley, up ut the
Crossing on rock foundation. Mr.. Mar
shall does not expect to finish that in
time to be Of first use. He hopes the
wooden gate will solve the immediate
problem. 1t was a case of any port in
q storm. He has asked me to report
my opinion"
"Why doesn't he give me chance
to go ahead them" growled the de-
posed manager. ''Instead Of letting
the intake widen until 1t will be an Inn
possibility to confine the river there
ut all?"
$50 you do think that 1t will be an
impossiblity to complete the gate as
planned?"
Hardin had run too fast. II didn't
mean that" he stammered. II mean
1t will be difficult If we are delayed
much longer"
"Have you the force to re.begin
work Mt once?" demanded Richard.
Il had It," evaded Hardin. II had
everything ready to go on-men, ma.
terinl = when we stopped the last
time"
Answer my question, please"
Il should have to assemble them
again." admitted Hardin sulkily.
Richard consulted lis notebook. II
think we've covered everything. Now
want to propose the laying Of a spur
track from Hnmlin's junction to the
Heading" His manner cleared the
stage of supernumerarles; this was
the climax. Hardin looked ready ito
spring.
And in connection with TINT the de.
velopment of u quarry in the granite
hills back of Hanlins." continued Rick.
ard, not looking ut Hardin.
Instantly Hardin was on his feet.
His fist Numbered on the table. ~
shall oppose that" he flared. ut is abb
solutely unnecessary. We can't afford
1t. Do you know what that will cost,
gentlemen
"Onc hundred thousand dollars ~
Richard interrupted him. II want IN
appropriation this morning for that
amount. 1t is. in my opinion, abso-
Iutely necessary If we IRE to snve the
valley. We cannot afford not to do it,
Mr.. Hnrdin!"
Hardin glaTed Mt the other men for
support; he found MpcLean's face q
blank wall: Estrada looked uncom.
Portable. Babcock had pricked up his
ears Mt the sound Of the desired appro-
printi0n: his head on one side, he
looked like an inquisitlve terrier.
Hardin spread out his hands in help.
less desperation. "You'll ruin u.s." he
said. Its your money, the O. P.,s
but you're lending it, not giving it to
us. You are going to swamp the Des.
ert Reclamation company. We can',
throw funds away like that" One hun
dred thousand dollars! Why, he could
have stopped the river Mt any time II
he had had that sum; once a paltry
thousand would have saved them 81
didn't ask the o. P. to come in and
ruin us, but to stop the river; not to
throw money away in hog-wild fash
i0n." He was stammering inarticulate.
ly. There's no need Of spur.track
If you rush my gate through"
If" Richard nodded. "Granted. If
we can rush it through. But suppose