The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1919-09-27

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 it. These conservatives
were counseling caution. Only that
morning. the Star had issued an extra,
a special edition pleading for co-opera-
ton. If the river breaks out again"
warned Brandon's editorial, without
immediate force to restrain it, 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, 1t
Is well known, Is bankrupt. For the
Instant, the railroad has assumed the
responsibilities Of the smaller organi-
cation. 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 bills? In the
present issue, self-interest should urge
consideration. Better a 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 inf1ammable speeches blew
his way from Barton's party.
Hardin's mouth wore q set sheer.
water company talk!' Black was
haranguing his comrades. "Stand out
against them. Don't let them bluff
you. Marshall will try to bluff you
Stand together!" Barton's resonant
organ broke through a the clatter
Marshall is not going1to bluff u.s.
Grace and Black began to talk at once
Hardin's lip grew rougher. Where had
they all been if it had not been fol
him? Why. he'd pulled them from
their little farms back East, where
they were toiling-where they'd be
toiling yet. They'd had the vision Of
sudden wealth-they hadn't the grit
to work for it, to wait for it How
many years had he been struggling
He was young man when he'd gone
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 air of the meet
| ing had teased him. What had the po
litical situation in Mexico to do will
the important session confrontin:
them? His fussy soul had no polite
| salons; Office rooms every one OF
| them. MacLean looked to Tod Mar
shall to answer.
81 think it will arrange itself" His
voice was silken. ut is to be dis
cussion, conference. You can't slat
that"
1--WE could program" began Bah
cock, looking at his watch again.
81 don't think Wen have to-" Mar
shall smiled across the table. "You1
find this meeting will run itself. Their
is not q man here who is not burnin
to speak. Look at them now! Drol
paper in that crowd, and see tn
blaze you'd get! You can open tn
meeting, Mr.. Babcock, and ! woul
suggest that you call on Mr.. De Il
Vega first"
The eyes Of the dining room fol
lowed the party as they filed past tn
buzzing tables. Faraday was not 4
town: Marshall represented that pow
or. AS he walked out, bowling RICH
and left, his right hand occasionall
extended in his well-known oratorfca
courteous gesture. His black tie wa