The Pulaskian., 1919-05-02
CHAPTER XIX.
More OratorY.


 Four men sat at small table in a corner of the crowded hotel dining room, in Fl Centro. Their names made their corner the psychological center of the room. Marshall was al- ways target of speculation. Mac 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 commissioners.
 What was he doing in that group? 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 panies had been called for that after noon, the summons signed by Fara- day himself. Nothing else had been talked of for fortnight.
 It 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- trol of the river. Faraday's eagerness to shift his burden was looked upon as suspicious. It was in the air that the officers of the Overland Pacific would demand a 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 it. These conservatives were counseling caution. Only that morning, the Star had issued an extra, 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 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- 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 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 in1ammable speeches blew his way from Barton's party.
 Hardin's mouth wore a 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 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 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 1t, to wait for 1t! How many years had he been struggling? He was a young man when he'd gone into this thing, and he was old now.
 Coffee and cigars had been reached of the midday dinner. Bab- 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 inc had leased him. What had the po- liticaI situation in Mexico to do with the important session confronting them? His fussy soul had no polite salons; office rooms every one of thea. MacLean looked to Tod Mar shall to answer.
 q think it will arrange itself" His voice was silken. "It is to be dis cussion, a conference. You can't slate that"
 "We could program" began Bab- cock, looking at his watch again.
 q don't think we'll have to-" Mar shall smiled across the table. You'll 1 find this meeting will run itself. There js not n man here who is not burning to sneak. Look at them now! Drop < "a paper in that crowd, and see the blaze yeu'u getl You can open lne meeting. Mir. Babcock, and would