The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-05-01
ginning TO see what he's up against" ."

ginning 10 see what he's up against"
ran Hnrdln's stormy thoughts.
He was on his feet the next minute
with n motion to complete the Hardin
headgate. Violently he declaimed to
Babcock and MacLean his wrongs. the
injustice that had been done MIN. Mar
shall had let that fellow Maitland con-
vince him that the gate was not prac-
ticable; had II not been for him the
gate would be In place now; NIL this
time and money saved. And the Malt
land dam, built insteadl Where was
1T Where was the money, the time,
put in that little toy3 sickening! His
face purpled over the memory. Why
was he allowed to begin again with
the gate7 "Answer me that. Why
was allowed to begin again? It's all
child's play. that's what 1t Is. And
when I am in 1t again up to my neck
he pulls me of !"
This was the real Hardin, the un-
couth, averaged Lawrence student !
The hsw manner was Just q veneer.
Rickard had been expecting 1t to wear
thin.
Il think" interjected Rickard, 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 net expect to finish that in
time to be of first use. He hopes the
wooden gate will solve the immediate
problem. 1t was case Of any port In
a storm. He has asked me to report
my opinion"
"Why doesn't he give me chance
to go ahead then?' growled the de-
posed manager. "Instead of letting
the intake widen until it will be an i'm
possibility to confine the river there
ut alp
$50 you do think that 1t will be an
imposslblity to complete the gate as
planned?"
Hardin had run too fast. II didn't
mean that" he stammered. II mean
1t will be difficult II we are delayed
much longer"
"Have you the force to re-begin
work at once2" demanded Rlckard.
II had It," evaded Hardin. II had
everything ready to go on-men, ma
terlal - when We stopped the last
time."
Answer my question, please"
II should have to assemble them
again." admitted Hardin sulkily.
Rickard consulted his notebook. II
think we've covered everything. Now
I want to propose the laying of 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 TINT the de-
velopment Of 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 flared. ut is alb
solutely unnecessary. We can't afford
1t. Do you know what that will cost
gentlemenT
"One hundred thousand dollars T.
Kickard interrupted him. II want ar
appropriation this morning for tina,
amount. 1t is. In my opinion, abso
lutely necessary IL we are TO save the
valley. We cannot afford not to do 1t
Mr.. Hardinl"
Hardin glared at the other men fol
support; he found MacLean's face Q
blank wall; Estrada looked uncom
Portable. Babcock had pricked up his
ears ut the sound of the desired apprO
priation; his head on one side. hs
looked like an inquisitive terrier.
Hardin spread out his hands In help
less desperation. "You'll ruin, u.s." h,
said. 'It's your money, the o. P.'s
but you're lending 1t, not giving It t.
us. You are going to swamp the Des
ert Reclamation company. We cam
throw funds away like that" One hun
dred thousand dollars! Why, he coult
have stopped the river at any time Il
he had had that sum; once a paltr,
thousand would have saved them I"
didn't ask the o. p. to come In ant
ruin us, but to stop the river; not t
throw money away In hog-wild fash
ion." He was stammering inarticulate
ly. "There's no need Of sysur.tracl
If you rush my gate through"
"If." Richard nodded. "Granted. I
we can rush It through. But suppos,
IL fails? Marshall said the railroa,
would stand for no contingencies. Tn,
interests at stake are too vital"
Interests |" cried Tom Hardin
"What do you know Of the interest a
) stake? You or your railroad? Coming
. In mt the eleventh hour. what can yol
J knowf Did you promise safety to thou
sands of families II they made thei
homes In this valleyf Are you responsi
blef Did you get up this company, In
duce your friends to put their none,
II Al -