The Elbert County tribune., 1919-04-18
CHAPTER XIX.
More Oratory.

Four men sat at small table in a
corner of the crowded hotel dining
room, in Ell Centro. Their names
made their corner the psychological
center of the room. Marshall was al
Lean, straight and soldierly In his
mustard-colored clothes, was, as usual,
the man of distinction. Black start
ed the whisper going that the dark
stranger was General de la Vega, the
Mexican commissioner.
What was he doing in that group1
Babcock completed combination
which encouraged speculations and
head-shakings. The room was jammed
with valley men. The meeting of the
ranchers and the several water COM
panles had been called for that after
noon, the summons signed by Fara-
day himself. Nothing else had been
talked of for a fortnight.
1t was known throughout the valley
that the work at the intake was not
yet begun; that Rickard was waiting
there for orders; that Faraday and
the president of the United States
were involved in correspondence as to
the responsibility for the future con-
troll of the river. Faraday's eagerness
to shift his burden was looked upon
as suspicious. 1t was in the air that
the officers of the Overland Pacific
would demand recall of the damage
suits before they would complete the
protective works at the Heading. The
men of long vision. members of the
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 1t. These conservatives
were counseling caution. Only that
morning, the Star had issued an extra,
a special edition pleading for co-opera-
tion. "If the river breaks out again."
warned Brandon's editorial, without
immediate force to restrain 1t, recla-
nation for that valley is dream that
is done. And the only force equal to
that emergency is the railroad. Why
deliberately antagonize the railroadi
The Desert Reclamation company, 4.
is well known. is bankrupt. For the
responsibilities of the smaller organi-
zation. 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 los.
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 -.
gether. Near him, the talk ran high.
Scraps of intlammable speeches blew
his way from Barton's party.
Hardin's mouth wore a set sneer
"Water company talk :" Black was
haranguing his comrades, "StaGd out
against them. Don't let them bluff
you. Marshall will try to bluff you.
Stand togetherw Barton's resonant
organ broke through the clatter
Marshall is not going to blaff US"
Grace and Black began to talk atsonce.
Hardin's lip grew rougher. Where had
they all been If it had not been for
him? Why he'd pulled them fron
their little farms back East, whete
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 1t How
many years had he been struggling?
IJa vyoc n ynttno man .ubap hold mona
into this thing, and he was old now.
Coffee and cigars had been
reached of the midday dinner Bah
cock was nervously consulting his
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 DO
litical situation in Mexico to do with
the important session confronting
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. sit is to be a dis
cussion, conference. You can't slate
that"
I'VE could program" began Bab-
cock, looking at his watch again.
81 don't think Wen have to-" Mar
shall smiled across the table. you'll
find this meeting will run itself. There
is not a man here who is lot burning
to speak. Look at them now Drop
paper In that crowd, and see the
blaze you'd geti You can open the
meeting. Mr.. Babcock. and 7 would