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


More oratory.
Four men sat az n small table In a
corner of the crowded hotel dining
room. In El Centre. Their names
made their corner the psychological
center Of the room. Marshall was al-
ways target Of speculation. Mac
Lean, straight and soldierly in his
mustard-colored clothes. was, as usual,
the man of distinction. Black start
cd the whisper going that the dark
stranger was General de Ia 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
pnnies had been called for that after
noon, the summons signed by Fara-
day himself. Nothing else had been
talked Of for fortnight.
It was known throughout the valley
that the work at the intake was not
yet begun; that Rickard was waiting
there for orders; that Farnday and
the 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. It was In the air that
i thn off <nH hA pa ri Al
would demand 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 II. These conservatives
were counseling caution. Only that
morning. the Star had issued an extra,
n special edition pleading for co-opera-
ton. IF the river breaks out again."
warned Brandon's editorial, ''without
immediate force to restrain II, 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 railroad
The Desert Reclamation company, It
Is well known, Is bankrupt. For tine
instant. the rallrond 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 billsf 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 to-
gether. Near him, the talk ran high.
Scraps Of inflammable speeches blew
his way from Barton's party.
Hardin's mouth wore q set sneer
"water company tulk |" Black was
haranguing his comrades. "Stnnd out
against them. Don't let them blum
you. Marshall will try to blum you
Stand toge;herI" Barton's resonant
organ broke through the clatter
Marshall is not going to blum u.s.
Grace and Black began to talk at once
Hardin's lip grew rougher. Where hat
tboy all been II It had not been fol
him? Why. he'd pulled them from
their little Iarms back East, where
they were toiling-where they'd b,
tolling yet. They'd had the vision ol
sudden wealth-they hadn't the gri
to work for It, to wait for It! How
many years had he been struggling
He was young man when he'd gon,
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 mir Of the meet
. Ing had teased him. What had the po
litical situation In Mexico to do will
the important session confrontin,
themf His fussy soul had no polit,
. salons; office rooms every one OF
them. MacLean looked to Tod Mar
shall to answer.
II think It will arrange itself" HI,
voice was silken. 1T Is to be q dis
cussion, a conference. You can't slat
that"
I'VE could program" began Bah
cock. looking at his watch again.
IT don't think we'll have to-" Mar
? shall smiled across the table. "You'l
find this meeting will ruL itself. Their
J is not man here who Is not burninl
n | IN snaak link nj thayn noxvl T1rn,