The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-03-07

I
ran Hardin's stormy thoughts
He was on his feet the next minute
with a motion TO complete the Hardin
headgate. Violently he acclaimed to
Babcock and MacLean his wrongs, the
injustice that had been done him. Mar
shall had let that fellow Maitland con-
vince him that the gate was not prac-
ticable; had 1t not been for him the
gate would be In place now; all this
time and money saved. Aud the Matt
land darn. built insteadI Where was
it2 Where was the money, the time,
put In that little toy7 SIckeningl His
face purpled over the memory. Why
was he allowed to begin again with
the CATER Answer me that. Why
was | allowed to begin again7 It's all
child's play. that's what it is. And
when l am In 1t again up to my neck
he pulls me of r.
This was the real Hardin, the UNI
couth, averaged Lawrence STUDENT
The new manner was just a veneer.
Richard had been expecting II to wear
thin.
Il think" interjected Richard, shat
we all agree with Mr.. Marshall, Mr..
Hardin, that wooden headgate on silt
foundation could never be more than
makeshift. / understood that the
first day he visited the river with you
he had the idea to put the ultimate
gate, the gate which would control the
water supply Of the valley, up at the
Crossing on rock foundation. Mr.. Mar
shall does not expect to finish that in
time to be Of first use. He hopes the
wooden gate viii solve the immediate
problem. 1t was a case of any port in
storm. He has asked me to report
my opinion"
why doesn't he give me a chance
to go ahead then?" growled the de-
posed manager. Instead of letting
the intake widen until 1t will be an i'm
possibility to confne the river there
at all?"
$50 you do think that it will be an
impossiblity to complete the gate as
planned?"
Hardin had run too fast. 81 didn't
mean that" he stammered. II mean
It viii be difficult if we are delayed
much longer"
Have you the force to re-begin
work at once?" demanded Richard
Il had it," eyaded Hardin. Il had
everything ready to go on-men, ma
terial - when we stopped the last
time"
Answer my question, please"
II should have to assemble them
again" admitted Hardin sulkily.
Richard consulted his notebook. 81
think we've covered everything. Now
| want to propose the laying of a spur
track from Hamlin's Junction to the
Heading" His manner cleared the
stage of supernumeraries; this was
the climax. Hardin looked ready to
spring.
"And In connection with that the de-
velopment of a quarry in the granite
hills back of Hamlin's," continued Rick
ard, not looking at Hardin.
Instantly Hardin was on his feet.
His fist Numbered on the table. 81
shall oppose that" he fiared. 1T is abb
solutely unnecessary. We can't afford
1t. Do you know what that win cost,
| gentlemenp
"0ne hundred thousand dollars 70
Richard interrupted him. 81 want an
appropriation this morning for that
amount. 1t is, in my opinion, abso-
lutely necessary If we are to save the
valley. We cannot afford not to do it,
Mr.. Hardin !"
Hardin glared at the other men for
support; he found MacLean's face a
blank wall; Estrada looked uncom-
Portable. Babcock had pricked up his
ears at the sound of the desired appro-
priation; his head on one side, he
looked like an inquisitive terrier.
Hardin spread out his hands in help
less desperation. you'll ruin u.s." he
said. Its your money, the o. P.'s,
but you're lending it, not giving it to
us. You are going to swamp the Des-
ert Reclamation company. We can't
throw funds away like that" One hun
dred thousand dollars! Why, he could
have stopped the river at any time if
he had had that sum; once a paltry
thousand would have saved them Il
didn't ask the o. p. to come in and
ruin us, but to stop the river; not to
throw money away In hog-wild fash
ion" He was stammering inarticulate-
| ". There's no need of a spur-track
if You rush my gate through"
'If." Richard nodded. Granted. II
we can rush 1t through. But suppose
il fails? Marshall said the railroad
would stand for no contingencies. The
interests at stake are too vital"
Interests !" cried Tom Hardin.
''what do you know of the interest at
stalker You or your railroad2 Coming
In at the eleventh hour. what can you
knowf Did you promise safety to thou
sands of families IL they made their
homes in this valley7 Are you response.
bile? Did you get up this company, in
duce your friends to put their money
in II. promise to see them through
What do You know Of the interests at