Gilpin observer., 1919-06-19
CHAPTER XIX.
More Oratory.

More oratory.
-Four men sat at a small table In q
corner of the crowded hotel dining
room. in Ell Centre. Their names
made their corner the psychological
center of the room. Marshall was al
ways a target Of speculation. Mac
Lean. straight and soldierly in his
mustard-colored clothes, was, as usual.
the man of distinction. Black start
ed the whisper going that the dark
stranger was General de la Vega, the
Mexican commissioner.
What was he doing in that groupf
Babcock completed combination
which encouraged speculations and
head-shakings. The room was jammed
with valley men. The meeting Of the
ranchers and the several water COM
panies had been called for that after
noon, the summons signed by Fara-
day himself. Nothing else had been
talked of for a fortnight.
| 1t was known throughout the valley
that the work at the intake was not
yet begun; that Richard was waiting
there for orders; that Faraday and
2s1e president of the United States
were involved in correspondence as to
the responsibility for the future con-
troll of the river. Faraday's eagerness
to shift his burden was looked upon
as suspicious. 1t was in the air that
the officers of the Overland Pacific
would demand a recall of the damage
suits before they would complete the
protective works at the Heading. The
men Of long vision, members of the
water companies, and Brandon.
through the valley Star, were pointing
out that the valleys salvation depend
ed on the immediate control of the
river; that the railroad, only, had
power to effect 1t. These conservatives
were cOunseling caution. Only that
morning. the Star had issued an extra,
special edition pleading for co-opera-
tion. "If the river breaks out again."
warned Brandon's editorial. without
immediate force to restrain it, recla-
nation for that valley is a dream that
is done. And the only force equal to
that emergency is the railroad. Why
deliberately antagonize the railroadi
The Desert Reclamation company, is
is well known, is bankrupt. For the
instant, the railroad has assumed the
responsibilities of the smaller organi.
ZatiOn. Apply the same situation to
individuals. Suppose private citizen
is in straits, and another comes for
ward to help him. Must every cred
itor assume that the Samaritan should
pay the crushed citizens bills? In the
present issue, self-interest should urge
consideration. Better small loss
today that tomorrow may amply re-
fund. than total ruin in the future"
Hardin, from his morose unshared
table, could see the anxious curiosity
setting toward the railroad group.
Over glasses, heads were close -.
gether. Near him, the talk ran high
Scraps of inflammable speeches blew
his way from Barton's party.
Hardin's mouth wore set sneer.
water company talk" Black was
haranguing his comrades. "Stand out
against them. Don't let them bluff
you. Marshall will try to bluff you.
Stand together Barton's resonant
organ broke through the clatter.
Marshall is not going to blLff US"
Grace and Black began to talk Mt once
Hardin's lip grew rougher. Where. had
they all been II 1t had not been for
him? Why, he'd pulled them fron,
their little farms back East, wheft
they were tOillng-where they'd h
toillng yet. They'd had the vision OF
sudden wealth-they hadn't the grit
to work for 1t, to wait for 1t! How
many years had he been struggling
He was young man when he'd gone
into this thing, and he was old now.
Coffee and cigars had beer
reached of the midday dinner. Bah
cock was nervously consulting hi.
watch. shouldn't we arrange the
meeting?" he asked for the third time
The social and casual air Of the meet
ing had tensed him. What had the DO
litical situation In Mexico to do with
the important session confronting
them? His fussy soul had no polite
salons; office rooms every one of
them. MacLean looked to Tod Mar
shall to answer.
II think II will arrange ITSELF" His
voice was silken. "It Is to be q dis
cussion, n conference. You can't slat,
that"
I'VE could program" began Bah
cock. looking at his watch again.
II don't think we'll have to-" Mar
: shall smiled across the table. "You'l
find this meeting will run itself. Their,
J is not man here who is vot burnin,
} to speak. Look at them nowi DroI
/ paper in that crowd, and see tn,
} blnze you'd getl You can open tn,
! meeting. Mr.. Babcock. aud woult