The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1919-04-05
CHAPTER w.
The Desert Hotel.

ht iclt the uuSty ChT WltH Teilc1
when the twin towns were called. He
had expected to see Mexican town,
or at least a Mexican influence, as
the towns hugged the border but 1t
was as vividly American as was I'm
perial or Brawley. There was the yell
low-painted station of the Overland
Pacific lines, the water tank, the eager
American crowd Railroad sheds an
nounced the terminal OF the road.
Backed toward the station was the in
evitable hotel bus of the country town,
painted sign hanging over its side
advertising the Desert hotel. Before
he reached the step the vehicle was
crowded.
''Wait, gentlemen, I'm coming back
for a second load" called the darky
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.
Rickard threw his bag to the grin
ming negro and swung onto the crowd
ed steps.
Leaving the railroad sheds he OBJ
served building which he assumed
was the hotel. 1t looked promising,
attractive with its wide encircling We
randa and the patch of green which
distance gave the dignity of lawn.
But the darky whipped up his stolid
horses. Richards eyes followed the
patch of green.
The friendly voice from above told
him that that was the Office of the
Desert Reclamation company His
next survey was more personal. He
saw himself entering the play as the
representative of a company that was
distrusted il not indeed actively hated
by the valley folk. 1t amused him that
his entrance was so quiet as to be sur
reptitiOus. 1t would have been uuieter
had Marshall had his ways But he
himself had stipulated that Hardin
should be told of his coming. He had
seen the telegram before It left the
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 eayesdropper.
The heavy bus was plowing 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 woolen |
goods, stockings and crackers disport- /
ing fraternally In their windows. A !
board sign swinging from the over
hanging porch Of the most pretentlous
building announced the post Office. |
From a small adobe hung a brass |
plate advising the stranger Of the |
Bank of CalexlcO. The 'dobe pressed |
close TO another two-storied structure
OF the desert type. The upper floor,
supported by posts, extended over the
sidewalk. Melted wire screened away
the desert mosquito and gave the over
hanging gallery the grOtesque appear
ance of huge fencing mask. From
the street could be seen rows of beds,
as in hospital wards. Calexico, it was
seen, slept out of doors.
Desert hotel" bawled the darky.
refining in his placid team.
"Yes, sab, I'll look out for your bag.
Got your room? The hotels mighty
sure to be full. Not many women ylt
doWh thls away All the men
mostly lives right heah at the hotel"
Iickard made dive from swirl ofI
dust into the hotel. The long line ne
at the desk was not there.
He stopped TO take in valley lnnovu-
tion. One end of the long counter had
been converted into IA sOda-water bar.
The high swivel stools in front OF the I
white marbled stand, with its towering
silver fixtures, were crowded with dust.
parched occupants ~ the bus. A white
coated youth was pouring colored I
sirups into tall glasses; there was a /
of ice; a STEALING OF siphons.
"fhats new one on me-" grinned1 {
Rlckard, turning toward the desk 4
where a complacent proprietor stood {
waiting TO announce that there was but /
one room left. Z
"Wlth bath?" Il
"Ratb right across the hall Only 6