Jerome County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1919-1920, 1919-04-10
@ mreoeeo-r zoeezA cDneNv>


want. gentlemen, I'm coming back
for second load" called the darby
who was holding the reins.
IF you wait for the second trip you
won't get ROOM suggested friend
ly voice from the seat above
Richard threw his bag to the grin
ming negro and swung onto the crowd
ed steps
Len,ins the railroad sheds he oh
served a building which he assumed
''as the hotel. l. looked promising
attractive ".ith as wide encircling We
anda and he patch of green which
81 stance gave .he dignity IF II lawn.
cat the iarky whipped up his stolid
horses. Richards eyes followed the
patch O.. green.
The IN ndly voice from above told
him that hat was the Office of the
Desert Reclamation company. His
next survey was more personal. He
saw himself entering the play as the
representative of company that was
distrusted if not indeed actively hated
by the valley folk. II amused him that
his entrance was 50 quiet as to be sur
repttious. II would have been quieter
had Marshall had his way But he
himself had stipulated that Hardin
should be told OF his coming He had
seen the telegram before II left the
j Tucson office. He might be assuming
an unfamiliar role in this complicated
drama OF river and desert, but it was
not To be as an eavesdrOpper.
The heavy bus was blowing slowly
through the dust of the street Rick
ard WAS given ample time to note the
Limitations of the new town. They
passed two brick stores of general
merchandise. lemons and wooden
goods stockings and crackers disport-
/ ing fraternally in their windows. A
board ign swinging from the over
( hanging porch OF the most pretentious
/ building announced the post Office
From small adobe hung brass
plate advising the stranger of the
/ Bank of CaleXico. The 'dObe pressed
! close to another two-s stored structure
| Of the desert TYPE. The upper floor
supported 10y posts. extended over the
! sidewalk. Melted wire screened away
The desert mosquito ani gave the over
hanging gallery the grutesque appear
ance OF huge fencing mask. From
the street could be seen rows of beds.
as in hospital wards Calexico, IL was
seen slept out of doors.
Desert hotel" bawled the darky.
refining in his placid team.
ayes. sab. I'M look out for your bag
Got your room? The hotels mighty
sure 10 Toe full. Not many women yit
down this away All the men
mostly lives right heuh at the hotel"
Richard made "a dive from a swirl of
dust into the hotel The long line he
anticipated az the desk was not there.
lie stopped 90 take in valley innova-
ton. one end of the long counter had
been converted into n soda-water bar.
The high swivel stools in frons-of the
white marblcd stand. with its towering
silver fixtures. were crowded with dust
parched occupants ~ The bus A white
coated youth was pouring colored
SrupS into tail glasses; there was "A
climbing of ice: a sizzling of siphons.
That's new one on me-" grinned
Richard. turning toward the desk
where complacent proprietor stood
NAlAlIE ~ AlluONlOC Aiul lllClt W Do bQA
one room left.
with bath?"
Bath right across the hall. Only
room left in the house" The proprietor
awarded him the valley stare. "GoinG
to be- hero long:" He passed the last
key on the rack Ia the darby stagger-
ing under II motley of bags and suit
cases. Richard recognized his. and fol.
lowed.
Il may get You another room tomor
tow" called the proprietor after hin
a~ he climbed the dusty stairs.
The signals of new town were
q waving in the dining room. The ma
jurity Of the citizens displayed their
shirt sleeves and unblushing suspend
crs. one large table was surrounded
" men in khaki; the desert soldiers
'neinccrs. The full blown Mattresses
G lab ratclY pompadoured. were push
q IL through the Swng-doors. carrying
h cavy trays. Coquetry appeared to be
Il lcir occupation. rather than meal.
" rving. the diners accepting both varie-
ID * of attention with appreciation. The
81 prCmacy of those superior maidens
" IS lhcndccu only ny TWO otner Wolll'
n who sat at table near the door.
II ckard did not see them at first. The
- nm was as masculine as restaurant
% new mining town.
Nckard left his indoor view To look
AZ ough the French windows opening
r. Il side street. He noticed Il slender
oTs regular procession. All the men
9ns sing fell in the same direction.
: Cocktail route" explained one of
rs neighbors. his mouth full of boiled
pest
4 OYSTER cocktail?" smiled the new
tnn n.
Il Tie real thing Calexico's dry like