Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-04-16

| 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 1t, recIa-
nation for that valley is dream that
is done. And the only force equal to
that emergency is the railroad. Why
deliberately antagoniZe the railroad2
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 a 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 inflammable speeches blew
his way from Barton's party.
Hardln's mouth wore a set sneer.
"Water company talk!" Black was
haranguing his comrades. "Stand ont
against them. Don't let them bluff
you. Marshall will try to bluff you.
Stand together |" Barton's resonant
organ broke through the clatter.
Marshall Is not going to bluff US"
Grace and Black began to talk at once.
Hardin's lip grew rougher. Where had
they all been If IT had not been for
him? Why, he'd pulled them from
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 1t, to wait for It'll How
many years had he been struggling7
He was young man when he'd gone
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 leased him. What had the po-
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. at is to be a dis
cussion, conference. You can't slate
that"
1--WE could program began Sab
cock, looking at his watch again.
II 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 not burning
to speak. Look at them nowl Drop
a paper in that crowd, and see the
blaze you'd get! You can open the
meeting, Mr.. Babcock, and l would
suggest that you call on Mr.. De la
Vega first"
The eyes of the dining room fol-
lowed the party as they filed past the
buzzing tables. Faraday was not In
town; Marshall represented that pow
err. AS he walked out, bowling right
and left, his right hand occasionally
extended in his well-known oratorical,
courteous gesture. His black tie was