The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-04-18
CONTINUED From Tuesday,
\ CHAPTER XIX.

- 2S3AA -
/ CHAPTER XIX.
"It has nothing to do with the his
tory, but would like to say in passing
thah so assured were your people oi
our friendly feeling toward you that
they did not wait to receive permis
sion from Mexico to. make the cut
Your people were in hurry. You
crops were in danger. First the lack
of water, then too much water dam
aged your valley. Afew acres"
A voice from the crowd cried out
"A few acres? Thousands of acres.
Instantly others were on their feet
thousands of acres. Ruin" One man
was shouting himself apoplectic.
Babcock's gavel sounded a sharp
staccato on the table.
thousands Of acres" De la Vega
was unruflied. "And more than that,
The valley, it must be remembered,
does not stop at the line. Mexican
lands, to, have been secured by the
action, the result of the action Of your
irrigation company. It was a mutual"
he paused, ana quaint word came t
his need. "a mutual bereavement.
did not occur to US to accuse you o
our troubles. Your damage suits paine
and astonished US. But they gave u
also a suggestion" ,.
The rustling and the murmurs sud
denly ceased. A president hush walt
ed on De la Vega. "You have been ad
vised to sue us. To sue US for givin,
you that concession. Therefore, tn
only answer is for US to withdraw tha
concession! You accuse US, for Civ
Ing it to you. That concession Is val
liable. What else can we dot Befor
your damage suits were filed, we wer
approached by others for the sam
privilege. If you do not WITHDRAW
your suits, my nation sends word Il
you that you may not take water from
the Colorado river through Mencal
soil. You will not be without wate'
probably long; I have said that con
cession is valuable! Other arrange
ments will probably be made 50 tha'
the valley will be given water / woult
like to take your answer to my govern
ment." ,......
It was several seconds before thu
house got its breath. The import o1
the diplomats words was astounding
Barton got to his feet, yelling with his
great bass voice, 'Betrayed| His
shrunken finger indicated youth witt
"R. S." in black letters on his collar
''The valley has been betrayed"
: In the balcony, the uproar was deaf
ening. Around Hardin and Brandon
words were thudding like bullets
Reclamation Service" "That's theil
game" 1.-THE concession!" "They
won't get it." Betrayed. We are be-
trayed."
Downstairs, Babcock's gavel raped
unheard. Behind the excited figure
welding the stick, sat Marshall, his
unreadable, sweet smile on his face
His eyes were on Babcock, who was
vainly clamoring for order. "Pfogram
that meeting"
Hollister was trying to make him
self heard to Barton over two rows OF
seats, but his voice was like a child's
on an ocean beach. Barton was sur
rounded by eager anxious men. The
audience had split into circles Of
haranguing centers. 1t was impossible
to get attention. Hardin could see Mar
shall pull Babcock by the tails Of his
coat. Unwillingly, he could see Bah
cock allow the crowd five minutes by
his consulted watch. Then again, the
gavel danced on the table. Marshall
was still smiling. Babcock's shrill
voice split the din. "Order." The
ocean Of voices swallowed him again.
1--WE won't let them in," Grace was
believing, 'the valley won't stand for
it."
take your medicine" thundered
the big organ Of Barton. II warned
you, Imperial valley"
Betrayal" groaned the crowd.
Down in the orchestra, Barton was
holding a hurry-up meeting Of the wa
ter companies. De la Vega had
stepped back and was consulting with
Tod Marshall.
Babcock pulled out his watch, his
gavel calling for attention. This time
he was heard.
De la Vega approached the foot
lights, questioning look on his face.
"We ask for little time," began
Barton. Instantly the house was on
Its feet. WITHDRAW the suits. Give
him your answer. Give him our an
swer. We don't want the Service. The
valley don't want the Service. With
draw the suits"
Barton's moon face looked troubled.
''We can't answer for all the ranchers."
"sYes, you can," screamed Grace,
jumping up and down like a baboon.
IF you don't, I'll answer for them.
Don't you see, it's a trickf It's a
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