davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-03-14
CHAPTER VIII.
Under the Veneer.


An hour later Innes, blinking from
the sun, stepped into the tent, which
had been partitioned with rough red
wood boards into bed chamber on
the right, a combination dining room
and ''parlor" on the left. Her glance
Immediately segregated the three
stalks of pink geraniums in the center
of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that
covered the table. Gerty, herself, in
fresh pink Bingham frock, was dancing
around the table to the tune of forks
and spoons. It was just like Gerty to
dress up to her setting, even though it
were only pitiful water-starved bou-
quet. She had often tried to analyze
her sister-in-law's hold on her brother;
certainly they were not happy. Was it
because she made him comfortable?
Was 1t the little air of Formally, or
mystery, which she drew around her?
Her rooms when Innes was allowed to
enter them were always fiawless /;
Gerty took deep pride in her house
keeping. Why was it, Innes wondered,
that she could never shake off her sus--
plcion of an underlying untidiness?
There was always closed door on
Gerty's processes.
MAY 1 help?" The sun was still
following the room to her.
''Hello!" Hardin looked up from
the couch where he was lying. lines
suspected it Of being a frequent re-
treat. She had found it tumbled once
when she ran over early. 1t was then
that Gerty made it understood that she
liked more formality. Innes was rare
ly in that tent except for meals now,
or during her alternating week Of
house chores.
II was afraid was late" said the
girl.
Lunch will be ready In few min
utes," announced Gerty Hardin. wont
you sit down? There's the new Jour
nal. Sam came to clean this morning,
and 1 couldn't get to the lunch until
an hour ago."
lines, settling herself by the reading
table, caught herself observing that it
would not have taken her an hour to
get cold lunch. Still, it would never
look so invitingl If Gerty's domestic
machinery was complicated and pri-
vate, the results always were admir-
able. The early tomatoes were peeled
as well as sliced, and were lying on a
bed of cracked ice. The ripe black
olives were resting in lake of Cali
fornia olive oil. A bowl of crisp let
tuce had been iced and carefully dried.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-03-14
CHAPTER TX.
The Rivals.


From the window Of the adobe office
building of the company, Hardin saw
Richard jump from the rear platform
of the train as it slowed into the sta
ton. He noticed that the new mana
ger carried no bag.
Wonder swhat he's decided to do
about the headgate. He didn't waste
much time out there" Hardin was
fidgeting in his seat, his eyes on the
approaching figure.
Richard passed through the room,
nodding to his Office force. The door
Of the inner Office shut behind him.
Hardin stared at the blank surface. He
moved restlessly In his swivel chair,
Did the fellow think big thing like
that could hang on while he unpaeked
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-03-14

yous" Hardin addressed the stenog-
rapher in the transparent shirtwaist.
docs he think we're going to have
another flood this season? Thinks it's
going TO reach the hotel and wet his
clothes? Take the starch out of his
shirts?" He flung out Of his chair,
throwing the papers back into the
drawer.
He stamped out Of the Office, mad
eleGr through. To this crisis they had
sent down a dandy, bookman who
wanted to build levee. Oh, HE'LL
They'll come crawling after me to
help them after this fellows buried
himself under river mud, come calling
to me as they did after Maitland failed.
Please, Mr.. Hardin, won't you come
back and finish your gatep III see
them dead first. No. III be fool enough
to do it. I can't help myself. I'm a
Hardin. have to finish what I've be-
gum"
1t was not because this was a pet
enterprise, the great work Of his life,
that he must eagerly eat humble pie,
take the buffets. the falls, and come
whining back when they whistled TO
him. He told himself it was because of
his debt to the valley, to the ranchers.
The colonists were about desperate.
Who could blame them? The last years
floods had worked havoc with their
crops; this year had been a horror.
The district they called No. was a
screaming irony of ruin. The last de-
bauch of the river had made great
gasAes through the ranches, had
secured deep gorges which had under
mined the canals on which the water
supply for No. 6 depended. The suits
were piIing up against the D. R., dam
age suits, and they hold up his gate,
while he gets the curses of the val
ley. And Mr.. Richard thinks he'll
build levee
He flung himself on the couch in the
tent. Gerty was laying a careful
cloth for supper. A brave, determined
smile was arranged on her lips. The
noon storm had passed. She hummed a
gay little tune. If there was anything
Hardin hated it was humming.
you'll have your dude to dinner all
right" her husband announced. Hes
in town"
"Yes, / know" rejoined his spouse.
Il had letter from him yesterday.
From Imperial"
Tom sat up glaring. "He wrote to
you from Imperial?"
His wife misplaced the accent. She
misunderstood Toms scowl. 1t was
the old story over again. Whenever
those two men came together the old
feeling Of jealousy must be revived
againl 1t was unpleasant, of course,
very unpleasant, to have men care like
that, but 1t made life exciting. Life
had been getting little stale lately
like book of obvious, even plot.
Richards entrance into the story gave
a new interest, new twist. She
hummed an air from new opera that
had set the world Waiting.
Hardin's thoughts did not touch her
/ at the hem. He was at the headgate,
his gate. What the deuce had Richard
gone TO Imperial for7 If he wasn't the
darnedest ass! Imperiall And the
gate hung upi
''For Gods sake stop that buzzing ~
The happy little noise was quenehed.
Innes, entering at that moment. heard
the rough order. She looked impIor-
ingly at her sister-in-law.
"Supper's on the table" cried Gerry,
the fixed, determined smile stin on her
lips.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-03-14

fork. 'Tve meant to ask you hun
bred times. Did you attend to my
commission in Los Angelesf'
81 forgot to tell you. l raked the
town, really did, Gerty." For there
was a cloud on Gerty's pretty brow. Il
could have got you the other kind, but
you said you did not want it."
II should think not" The childish
chin was lifted. "Those complicated
things are always getting out of order.
Besides, If had an adjustable form,
everybody'd be borrowing it"
"what are you talking about?H de-
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-03-14
STORMS HOVER OVER THE CANVAS HOUSEHOLD OF THE
HARDINS AS RCKARD TAXES The REINs.

synopsK c. Richard,
road is called to the office
waiting Richard reads
despite the efforts of Thomas Hardin
company Hardin had been student under Richard
married
in love- Marshall
save the Imperial valley and wishes Rckad
ckard declines because
Hardin, but is Richard way
learns much about Hardin his
Hardin
offices he finds the engineers loyal Hardin
attends meeting of the directors
Estrada Mexican the Father Imperial Valley
tells Richard the general situation
work will fail.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-03-14

his trunks and settled his bureau draw
ers? He picked up pencil, jabbing at
the paper of his report. He covered
the sheet with figures-three hundred
six hundred. Six hundred feet.
Whose fault that the intake had
widened, doubling its width, trebling
its problem? Whose but Marshalrs
who had sent down one of his Office
clerks to see what Hardin was doing?
Wouldn't any man In his senses know
that the way Maitland would distin-
guish himself would be by discrediting
Hardin, by throwing bouquets to Mar
shall; praising his plan? They all go
at it the same sickening way! Office
clerks, bahl Sure, Maitland had adj
yised against the completion of the
gate. Said it would cost more in time
and money than Hardin's estimates.
Thanks to Maitland it did," growled
Hardin, scrawling figures over the
page. f'By the time Maitland finished
monkeying with that toy dam of his
the river had widened the break from
three hundred to six hundred feet. Fol
that, they throw mud at me. Oh, it
makes me sick" Hardin flung his
broken pencil out of the window.
Richard re-entered the room. The
question leaped from Hardin.
'aThe headgate-are you going on
with it?"
Richard looked curlously at the
flushed antagonistic face of the man
he had supplanted. The thought
crossed his mind that perhaps Hardin
had taken to drinking. 1t. made his
answer curt.
81 don't know"
"You don't known
81 have no report to make, Mr.. Har-
din, until see the gate"
"And you went to the Crossing with
out going down to the headgate?" Har-
din did not try to conceal his disgust.
81 did not go to the Crossing"
Didn't go-ln Hardin's mouth was
agape. Then he rudely swiveled his
chair. The door slammed behind Rick
ard.
Hadn't been to the Crossingg Then
where in Hades did he go? He halted
MacLean who was passing him.
"Are you going to the Crossing to-
morrow" Hardin knew he should be
too proud to betray his eagerness, but
the words ran away with him.
"Not tomorrow. Mr.. Richard just
told me he might not be able to get of
until next week"
Hardin's anger sputtered. "Next
week. Why does he rush so? Why
doesn't he go next year? The Colo
radios so gentle, it'd wait for him. I'm
sure. Next week! It's put-up job,
that's what it is. oh, / can see through
fence with a knothole as big as your
head. He doesn't want to finish the
headgate. He wants to put OF going
until it's too late to go on with it;
know him. He'd risk the whole thing,
and all the money the o. P. has
chucked into it, just to start with a
clean slate; to get the glory of stop
ping the river himself. 1t turns my
stomach; it's a plot" The lower lip
shot out.
MacLean's attention was deferential
He had always liked Hardin; all the
fellows did. But he was jumping of
wrong this time. He'd brought it all
on himself.
He said something about a levee for
the towns. He's got to investigate that
before he goes to the front"
"a lever Well, wouldn't that Jar
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-03-14

A eongeniaI dinner party, it
may be imagined, was this one
consisting Of Hardin, the de-
posed general manager; Rick
ard, the man who has suppIsnted
him; Hardin's sister, who loves
her brother devotedIy and re-
sents bitterly the appointment
Of Richard to succeed him, and
Hardin's wife, former sweet
heart of Richard. Read about
this interesting situation In rhe
next instaiIment.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-03-14

CTo BE CoNTINUED)
Bamboo trees co not bloom uatii
thirty years old.
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17
EDITORIALS.
PERFECTLY SIMPLE

THERE is a constantly growing feeling among
our fellow citizens that the government ought to run
most of our staple industrioes-if necessary, at
loss, and make up the deficit out of taxation And
when invited to reveal who is to be taxed to pay the
deficit they always say the same thing: "The rich"
Just exactly what constitutes the rich is thing
vaguely understood They are generally supposed
to be people with tons of currency hidden somewhere
1t IS surprising how few people there are whose
mental process surpass those of a six-year-old
There are far more people in this grade than you
may think
man is rich if he has credits by virtue of which
he draws large revenues from certain industries
very often he does not own the industries but is one
OF the bondhoders AS ruie he has very little clr
rency There is no sense in having much
When the government has confscated all the
large industries, the rich mems sources of revenue
will be gone. Then they will be poor W. shall start
this scheme without any rich people-and therefore
there will be no one to pay the taxes
So all industry will run at oss like the rail
roads. without ary one making up the deficit Thew
actually worked this scheme out in Hungary and ap-
portloned the Incomes which the Individual members
OIL the population were to draw-indng out after
WARDS that the aggregate of the incomes was four
times the total producing power of the country The
Cnlnaman who burned down his house to roast pig
was almost intelligent compared with some of us.
But" you may say, "why should government
always run industry at less?" Ah why indeed?
But 1t does. Governments are composed of platform
rnetor1clans monologists, lawyers and pampheteers
-noI OF chemists, or engineers, or manufacturers
Well, let us leave enough rich people in existence
70 pay the taxes. How rich shall we let them be7
Oh, just rich enough to dig up the money for taxa
uon. But no one would consent to be rich on those
terms they would have the labor of filling up tax-
forms, and get nothing for it. No one who has done
tnat Joo Will want to do it gratis
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

WE still have the price of pair of shoes due us
in delinquent subscriptions And, gentlemen winter
looms perillously near.
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

NEWSPAPER subscription rates are about the
only things in the U. S. A. up to date that haven't
punched hole in the sky
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17
GIVE A LIFT

WHEN Pm chugging in my motor, up and down
the countryside, and behold weary voter, remark,
"Get in and ride" And he always looks so grateful
that, in sooth, l wonder why any man should be so
hateful as to pass walker by. All day long the cars
go skitng up and down the dusty pike, and few driv
ers are inviting weary Pete or footsore Mike; and
these weary men heaping curses on the idle rich
as from danger they go leaping to the bottom OF
ditch repeat this simple motto, along the road
drift; 'When you're riding in your auto give the
weary jay lift" Oh my is large and roomy,
seven delegates twill seat and call the pilgrims to
me, saying "Ride and rest your feet" And it fills my
heart with gladness, and it makes my bosom glow,
when rescue from their sadness seven delegates or
SC. In my car Pm grand and stately, like monarch
on his throne, but I'd loathe and hate greatly, if
rode in there alone, while lot of weary fellows la
bored in the dust and heat breathing through their
leaking bellows, weeping DER their aching feet. [
keep saying while I'm skidding in my wagon large
and swift "Selfehness is most forbdding- give the
other chap lift"
Copyright by George Matthew Adams
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

MANY great men of Europe are evinci
cret desire to come to America and see n
greater men.
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

NO, we have no objection to price fixing by the
government, provided the prices are such as to meet
our individual approval.
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

Tz!e9' -
- e. e. s -
s . o . o o
O. EDITORIAL NOTES
o
Marriages in aeroplanes are quite the correct
thing these days. 1t insures newspaper publicity.
Likewise, bOyhOOd days, the home paper
failed to add an extra paragraph when the joyous
couple stood up in the old buggy and the parson tied
the knot
SOME want government ownership Of public
utilities, some prefer private ownership, and yet
another class do not know what they want And if
business conditions do not become settled more
soon we may reach the point where nobody will have
anything.
SOME of our fulsome milonares have been let
ting off steam in the newspapers lately about not hav
ing purchased any shoes for the past two years.
fiteering.
THE scrap between the president and the SEN
ate is progressing sweetly it reminds of the
old days when bad boys tied the tails of two cats to-
gether and sung them over the clothes line.
NO. Willie don't invest in a new map of Europe
for few days at least Uncle Sam may have to
eventually absorb the whole bloomin' territory in or
der to effect peaceful settlement.
UNCLE Sam has received good many jolts in
his day, but he generally manages to land on both
feet with his head up
WE still have the price of pair of shoes due us
in delinquent subscriptions. And, gentlemen, winter
looms perilously near
NEWSPAPER subscription rates are about the
only things In the u S. A. up to date that haven't
punched hole in the sky.
NO. we have no objection to price fixing by the
government provided the prices are such as to meet
our Individual approval.
MANY great men of Europe are evincing Sc
cret desire to come to America and see nation of
greater men.
NO. sister, profiteering among lovers does not
come under the ban. Take as many as he will give
you. :
IN modern parlance successful business man is
one who gets the other fellows money and hangs on
to it.
EVERYBODY is handling old Hi Cost kick
except the fellow who gets the dough-
| GINWO@CO
/ Meat Market ]
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

SOME want government ownership of public
utilities, some prefer private ownership, and yet
another class do not know what they want. And if
business conditions do not become settled more
soon we may reach the point where nobody will have
anything.
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

SOME of our fulsome millionaires have been let
ting off steam in the newspapers lately about not hav
ing purchased any new shoes for the past two years
But that, we suspect is only another form of pro-
fteering.
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

Marriages in aeroplanes are quite the correct
thing these days. It insures newspaper publicity.
Likewise, in boyhood days, the home paper never
failed to add an extra paragraph when the joyous
couple stood up in the old buggy and the parson tied
the knot
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

THE scrap between the president and the SEN
ate is progressing sweetly it reminds one of the
old days when bad boys tied the tails Of two cats to-
gether and sung them over the clothes line
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

NO. Willie, don't invest in new map of Europe
for few days at least Uncle Sam may have to
eventually absorb the whole boomin territory in or
der to effect peaceful settlement.
The daily morning oasis., 1919-09-17

UNCLE Sam has received a good many jolts in
his day, but he generally manages to land on both
feet with his head up
The Carlisle independent., 1919-06-26
ACT NO. 146. Approved March I, 1919.

An Act changing the time of holding Chancsry Court in the Eighth Chancery District Fixes the time for such courts as follows:
 Randolph County. first Tuesday in March and September.
 Sharp County northern dIstriet) second Tuesday in March and Septen- Der.
 Lawrence County (eastern district, fourth Tuesday in April and third Tues day In September.
 Lawrence County (western district, first Tuesday in April and first Tuesday In September.
 Fulton County. second Tuesday in April and October.
 Baxter County. third Tuesday in April and October.
 Sharp County (southern district), first Tuesday in May end November.
 Izard County, second Tuesday in May and November
 Jackson County. fourth Tuesday in May and November.
 Independence County. fourth Tuesday in June and December.
 Stone County. second Tuesday in June and December.
 Cleburne County. third Tuedsay in June and December.
The Carlisle independent., 1919-06-26
ACT No. 234. ADprnYed liurch IL 1AIa.

An Act to provide for a County Board or Education m each county of the State Provides that all schools except those in cities and towns shall be un- Ger the control of the County Board of Education, said board to be elected by qualified electors of the county at each annual election. Said board to be com posed of five members. not more than two of which shall be from the same township and shall hold office for term of five years. Said board shall have the control of schools school funds and shall perform such duties in relation thereto as has heretofore been imposed upon county judges. They shall meet at least four times a year. and at such other times as shall be necessary. Regular meetings to be held op the second Saturday in March, 5une. September and December Pro- vides that they shall have the power to dfscharge the county superintendent py vote of four members of the board. Fixes the salary of county eIperfnten. dent at not mora than $1,s9Q, In coun- t'es of less than S2.000 population, and in other counties at s2.100. In case of 2 vacancy on the board. the other mem bers Of the board shall elect a qualified person to All such vacancy. who shall serve until the next annual school cleo ton. N ,
The Carlisle independent., 1919-06-26
ACT NO. I40. Approved February 27, 1919.

An Act giving blacksmiths. horse shoers. wheelwrights and automobile repairers a lien on the production of their labor Provides that all black smiths. etc. repair men who perform labor or furnish material for the repair of any vehicle. including tires and all other motor accessories for automo- piles. shall have an absolute lien upon the production of their labor, and upon all such wagons. carriages. automo
 biles. trucks. tractors, and all other vehicles. for the sums of money due for labor performed or labor furnished Provides that if possession of the ve- hicle is retained such person shall have the right to sell the same for satisfac- ton of the debt Provides that the sale shall be upon notice, and that such person shall make a bond to be fixed by justice of the peace in such sums as the justice may fix. That if possess sion of the property has been lost. such person may avail himself of the lien within 90 days by filing with the clerk of the Circuit Court of the county the demand due, together with 6 descrip- ton of the property to be affected by the said lien. That the clerk shall en- ter such lien upon the lien record of the county. and that suit on such lien must be brought within four months in the Chancery Court of the county
The Carlisle independent., 1919-06-26
ACT NO. 142. Approved March |, 1919.

An Act to provide for the redemption of lands sold to the State for taxes, but not certified to the Commissioner of State Lands. Provides that all lands forfeited in the State for taxes prior to 1908. which have not been certified to the Commissioner of State Lands. are cancelled and set aside and held for naught That lands sold to the State since 1908 or hereafter. which have not been certified to the commissioner may be redeemed by filing with the commis- sioner a certificate from the clerk of the county showing the sale of the land, the amount of the taxes penalty and cost due thereon. and the payment thereon, and make a sworn statement in writing that he is the holder of such lands. Provides that upon such show ing the commissioner shall execute a deed to such person.
The Carlisle independent., 1919-06-26
ACT NO. 67. Approved February IF. 10IQ.

An Act to amend Act No 13 of the General Assembly of 1917 (known as the Bone Dry Law). Makes it unlaw- ful for any person. firm or corporation to transport into this State, or from one place to another place ;n this State. or to ship. or to transport into, or to de- liver. in this State. in any manner or by any means whatsoever any alco- holfc. vinous. spirituous or fermented liquors or any compound thereof That 1t shall be unlawful for any person. firm or corporation to receive any such liauors. and provides that no property rights of any kind shall exist in any liquors. and such liquors are forfeited to the State. Makes 1t unlawful for any person to induce any railroad com pany or other carrier or any other per- son to oarry. transport or ship into this State, for delivery to himself or any other person. by failure to notify the carrier of the true contents of such shipment. Prohibits the keeping of any such liquors in any locker or other place in any social club or fraternal organization. fixes the venue for pros- cautions under this act in any counties in which such liquors are found Per mits the shipment into this State of al- cohol for medicinal and mechanical purposes. and wines for strictly sacra- mental purposes, and provides the method for such shipments. Fixes the penalty {or the violation of this act at not less than $100 or more than sl 900 or Imprisonment for not less than 3O days nor more than 90 days. Fixes the fee of prosecuting attorney for convic- tion under this act al $25.