Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-02-21

The Blessing Of ArIdIty.

Imperial Junction the next Afternoon
Ais eyes followed the train he wa
deserving rather than the one tina
was to carry him to his new labors
He felt again the thrill OF dctnchmen
that invariably preceded his entranc'
into a new country. With the pulling
up Of the porter's green-carpeted stool
the slammlng OF the train gates, the
curtain fell on the Tucson set scene
The long line Of cars was pushing
OF with us linen-c0yered Pullman'
and diners steaming down grade
toward the Sink. the depression which
had been prlmeyal sea. and then des'
ert, and was now sea again. Old
Beach. rechristened Imperial Junction
Tor railroad convenience. was itself
lower than the ancient sea line where
once the gulf had reached Richard
knew he could find shells at that des-
ert station should ne look for them.
lie picked up his bag that the porter
had thrown on the ground und faced
the rungdown curtain.
Its painted scene was yellow sta
tlon house hrolling under desert
sun: a large water tank beyond. and
10 the distance the inevitable card
board mountains. Ike property scene
shifts. fiat and thin in their unreal
hues OF FURNISHED pink and purple. A
dusty accommodation train was back
Ing and switching. picking up the
empty refrigerator cars 10 carry into
the valley for the early melon growers.
Already the valley had asserted its
Industrial Importance the late ram
page OF the Colorado had made II
spectacular Those who would pay
little attention to the opening OF a
new agricultural district Ia the heart
OF dreaded desert opened their ears
20 the yagary OF the river which had
sportlVeiy made of part of that des.
ert an inland sea. Scientists were
rushing theiy speculatlons into print;
would the sea dwindle by evaporation.
as Il had done before? Or would the
overflow maintain the paradoxical
scar
The food signs were apparent.
There cracks had split the desert
sEnd here water assures had mem
aced the track and TO the south
fringe OF young willows hid the path
of the Coiorado's debouch.
The men crowdlng the platform
wore the motley Of the new country.
In Tucson the uniform OF the male
citizens. with the exception OF those
reckless ones who found inevitably
TINT lotus Is liquid. was the wllted /
pretense OF a gentle civilization; de- I
spondent ducks and khakis and limp (
collars. Imperial Junction marked the
downfall OF the collar. The rest of |
the composite costume was Irregular. /
badly Numbered and torn. faded and
sunbufued: the clothes OF the desert |
soldier Richard saw buttOnless
shirts. faded overalls. shabby hats
the s0mbrero OF Mexico. The faces
under the broad-hriumed hats made a 4
LEM lg impression upon him OF youth
aud eugerness. He noted a significant
average OF intelligence and alertness.
This was not the indoleat group of
men which makes a pretense OF occu-
patton whenever a train comes In
-Going IMP asked voice at his ear.
A pair OF faded eyes set in a young
old face. whether early withered or
well preserved ne had not time TO de
termine. was staring al him.
lie assured his interlocutor that he
was going IN His mood isolated the
phrase. It's Significance vastly differ.
emf frum going on"
.Rnying7-
II think not"
n Is q good time to buy" Richard
suspected real estate agent. 'For
Innd 3 ioN-rock bottom prices on
acc0Unt 0f the uneasiness about the
river Yeopie are afraid. They want
10 see the company redeem some Of
rs promises before they come In; and
ihe company isn't In much OF
hurry
RIckasd asked what company he re-
IerreJ 10.
The young-old face with the faded
Eyes looked at him In surprise "The
b. H. company Desert Reclamation,
@hich brought US all here"
'-SeampslY The newcomers survey
n the long lice OF naked mountains
aud lean lands that formed the neck
of The valley gave a snub OF casual
ness 20 the question.
mo. Fools 90 Tie answer wns as
swift ~ 4 bullet Though some
probe think fhem worse thnn that. !
ftse'' 81 - far: r'- willing 10 say