davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10

Estrada's thoughtful glance rested
on the angry face. Was this genuine,
or did not Hardin know Of the years
Rlckard had served on the road; OF
the job In the heat-baked barrancas
Of Mexico. where Marshall had found
him? But he would not try again to
persuade Hardin to give up his trip
to Los Angeles. II might be better.
after all. for the new manager to take
charge with his predecessor out OF
the way.
"MacLean's coming down tonight"
he threw out. still watching Hardin's
face. with Babcock."
II won't be missed" Hardin's
mouth was bitter. Estrada, Ii l Aad
the sense Of a goat I'd sell cut. sell
my stock to MacLean and quit What's
in all this for met Does anyone doubt
my reason for staying? 1t would be
like leaving sinking ship. like de-
sertlng the passengers and crew one
had brought on board. God I'd like
to go! But how can II I've got hold
Of the tail Of the bear and can't let
got"
"No one doubts YOU" began Es-
trada. Hardin turned away, with an
ugly oath. The Mexican stood watch
Ing his stumbling anger. "Poor Har-
dinl"
In the Office Rickard was speaking
TO MacLean. whom he had drawn to
one side. out OF earshot OF the checker
players.
II want you to do something for
me, not at all agreeable !" His tone
implied that the boy was not given
the chance to beg OF. "What time
does the train pull out in the MORN
lng"
"Slx.fifteen."
am have letter for you at the
hotel at six. Be on time. l want TO
catch Hardin before he leaves for Los
! Angeles. II he's really going. I'll give
him today to think 1t over. But he
can't disregard an order as he did my
invitation. didn't want to rub II In
before the men,"
MacLean stared. then said that he
thought he was not likely to!
Rickard left the office In time to
see Hardin shutting the outer gate
behind him. His exit released cho-
rus OF indignant voices.
"An outrage!"
"A id shame" This from
Wooster.
"Hardln's luckr'
On the other side Of the door Rick
ard deliberated The hotel and Its curl
Gus loungers or his new Office. where
0gilvie was making a great show OF
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10
CHAPTER VII.
A Garden In 4 Desert.

His dwelling leaped into sight ar
Hardin turned the corner of the street
There was but one street running
through the twin towns, flanked by the
bitches Of running water. The rest
were bitches Of running water edged
by footpaths. Scowling, he passed un-
der the overhanging bird cages of the
Desert hotel without a greeting for the
loungers, whose chairs were drawn IN
against the shade of the brick walls.
The momentum slackened as Hardin
neared the place he called his home,
An inner tenderness diluted the sneer
shat disfgured his face. He could see
Innes as she moved around in the 1T.
tie fenced-in strip that surrounded her
desert tent. She insisted on calling II
a garden. In spite Of his raillery.
"Gerty's in bed, suppose" thought
Tom. He had sudden vivid picture
of her accusing martyrdom. His mouth
hardened again. Innes, STOPPING over
rose. passed out Of his vision.
1t came to Hardin suddenly that a
man has made circle Of failure when
he breads going to his office and
shrinks from the reproaches at home.
"A 'has-been' at forty!" he mused.
Where were all his ships drifting?
innes. Strengthening, waved gay
hand.
"Shes raising a goodly crop Of bar.
rels." His thought Knocked and ca.
ressed her. Her garden devotion was
tender joke with him. He loved the
Hardin trait In her, the persistence
which will not be daunted. An occupa.
ton with Hardin was a dedication.
de would not acknowledge the Innes
blood in her. Like that fancy mother
OF hers? Innes was a Hardin through
and through!
Its In the blood" ran his thought
"She can't help 1t. All the Hardins
work that way. The Hardlns always
make fools of themselvesr'
Innes, lifting her eyes from q GRIN
pied rose, saw that the black devils
were consuming him again. ,ySs
win you look at this wreGsas 5she
cried.
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10

to a ghost Of tunefulnesa "And It's
nothing. A blank-I know then it's
not going to happen. 1t Is terribly
final!. It's happened, often. Now. l
walt for that-veil. When It falls, /
know what 1t means"
.And you have had that-sense
about this river businessT
Estrada turned his pensive gaze on
the American. Eyes, often. thr1ght.
after fathers death. that tA 1was
what It meant. But 1t came agSdh. 1t
kept coming. l had 1t while you were
all talking. just now. l don't speak Of
this. It sounds chicken-hearted. And
I'm In this with all my soul-my ia
ther-I couldn't do 1t any other way.
but"
"You think we are going to fail7"
II can't see 1t finished" was Estra-
da's mournful answer. He turned
again to stare out of the window.
"Who are the river men In the val
ley7" demanded the newcomer. Il
want to meet them. to talk to them"
"Cor'nel, he's an Indian. He's worth
talking to. He knows Its history, its
legends. Perhaps some of 1t Is his
tory"
"Where's he to be foundr"
you'll run across him! Whenever
anything's up. he is on hand. He senses
It. And then there's Matt Hamlin."
"Pll see him. of course. Has he
been up the rivery
mo. but I'll tell you two who have.
Maldonado, half-breed. who lives
some twenty miles down the river
from Hamlin's. He knows the ella as
though he were pure Indian. Tho
elias tricky! Maldonado's grandfa-
ther was a trapper. his great-grandfa-
ther, they say, priest. The women
were all Indian. He's smart. Smart
and bad"
Estrada's japanese servant came
back into the car to offer tea, freshly
iced.
That's what I want, smart river
men. not teal" laughed Rickard. II
want river history"
There's another man you ought to
meet. He was with the second Powell
expedition. He's written the best book
on the river. He knows 1t, II any man
does. You wanted these maps" Es-
trada was gathering them together.
THANK you. And you can Just
strangle that foreboding of yours, Mr..
Estrada. For tell you, we're going
to govern that river"
Estrada's pensive smile followed the
dancing step Of the engineer until It
carried him out Of sight. Perhapsi
Because he was the son of his father,
he must work as hard as II conviction
went with him. as II success awaited
at the other end of the long road. But
1t was not going to be. He would never
see that river shackled--
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10

cool and impersonal, adding to his
points. and MacLean slowly won to
the stronger side. Hardin, on his feet
again. was sputtering helplessly at
Babcock, when Rickard called for a
vote The appropriation was carried.
Hardln's face was swollen with rage.
Richard then called for a report on
the clam-shell dredge being rushed at
Yuma. Where was the machinery
Was II not to have been finished In
February
"Why not get the machinery herel
What's the use Of taking chancesT de-
manded Richard.
Hardin felt the personal implication.
He was on his feet In a second. "rhefe
are no chances" He looked at Mac
Lean. THE machinery's done. It's no
use getting 1t here until we're ready"
There are always chances" inter-
rupted his opponent coolly. ave are
going to take none. l want Mr.. Har-
din. gentlemen. appointed committee
of one to see that the machinery is de-
livered at once. and the dredge rushed" !"
The working force was informally
discussed. Hardin said they could de-
pend on hobo labor. Rickard agreed
that they would find such help. but 1t
would not do to rely on 1t. The big
sewer system Of New Orleans was
about completed: he had planned to
write there. stating the need. And
there was man In Zacatecas. named
Porter
Frank Porter?" sneered Hardin,
"that-murderer?"
Ellis brother" Rickard answered
pleasantly. "Jim furnishes the men
for the big mines In Sonora and Sina-
l0a He'll send us all the labor we
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10
CHAPTER VI.
Red Tape.

AT ten o'clock the next morning Har
din, entering the office. again the gen,
eral managers. found there before him
George MacLean, the new director, and
Percy Babcock. the treasurer, who had
been put in by the Overland Pacific
when the old company was reorgan
lied. They had just come in from Los
Angeles, the trip made In MacI. cans
private car, to attend n directors meet
ing.
Rickard entered few minutes later
Estrada behind him. OgiIvie followed
Rickard to his desk.
"Well?" inquired the new manager
0gilyie explained lengthily that he
had the minutes Of the last meeting
leave them here" Rlckard waved
him toward Estrada, who held out his
hand for the papers.
Reluctantly the accountant relin
quished the papers. His retreatinc
coattalls looked ludlcrously whipped
but no one laughed. Hardin's scowl
deepened. -..
Showing his power" ha thought
Hes going to call for a new pack.
Estrada pushed the mlnutes through
with but few unimportant lnterrup
tons. He was sitting at the same desk
with Rickard. Hardin. sensitive and
sullen, thought he saw the meeting
managed between them.
Several times he attempted to bring
the tangled affairs Of the water .om
panies before the directors Rickard
would not discuss the water compa'
nies.
Because he's not postedl He's be-
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10

occupation. He had not seen Estrada.
He was making sudden dive for his
hotel when the gentle voice of the
Mexican hailed him.
"Will You come to my car? It's on
the siding right here. We can have a
little lunch and then look over some
maps together. ! have some pictures
Of the river and the gate. They may
be new to you"
Rickard spent the afternoon In the
car. The twin towns did not seem so
hostile. He thought he might like the
Mexican.
Estrada vas earning his fathers
mantle. He was the superintendent
Of the road which the Overland Pa
cinc was building between the twin
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10
RICHARDS VIEWS DO NOT COINCIDE WITH THOSE OF HAR-
DIN, AND THE INEVITABLE COMES TO PASS.

C. Richard Of Overland Pacific rail-
road called the office of President Marshall In Tuseon While
waiting Rcknrd the Colorado
despite the efforts Thomas Hardin the
Hardin had been Rckard
ege and had married Gey Holmes with whom he
Marshall tells Rckad the Overland Pacific
Imperial vale,
Rckard declines he suppanng
Hardin but is Rckard Calexico
much about Hardin and his
Hardin Hardin
offices he finds the loyal to Hardin
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10

want. the best for our purpose. When
1t gets red-hot. there's no one like a
peon or an Indian.
you'll be infringing on the lnterna-
tional contract law" suggested Mac
Lean.
mo. The camp Is on the Mexican
side." laughed Casey. "Td thought OF
that. Wen have them shipped to the
nearest Mexican point. and then
brought to the border. Mr.. Estrada
will help u.s."
The meeting had already adjourned.
They were standing around the fat
top desk. Estrada invited them all to
lunch with him, in the car on the sid
Ing. MaeLean said that he had to get
back to Los Angeles. Mr.. Babcock
was going to take him out to Grants
Heading in the machine. He had nev-
er been there. They had breakfasted
late. He looked very much the colonel
to Rlckard. his full chest and stiff car
riage made more military by his trim
uniform Of khaki-colored cloth.
MAY I speak to you about your boy,
Mr. MacLean?'
Hardin caught a slight that was not
intended. He pushed past the group
at the door without civility or cere-
mony.
The steady grave eyes of the big
frame looked at Rickard inquiringly.
"He wants TO stay out another year.
hope you will let him. It's not disin.
terested. l shall have to take stenog-
rapher to the Heading this summer.
There Is a girl here; l couldn't take
her, and then, too, I'm old-fashioned: /
don't like women In Offices. My POSI-
ton promises to be peculiar one. I'd
like to have your son to rely on for
emergencies stenographer could not
cover"
MacLean's grave features relaxed as
he looked down on the engineer, who
was no small man himself, and sug.
gested that his son was not very well
up In stenography.
THAT'S the least of It."
II hope that he will make a good
stenographer! Good morning, gentle.
men,"
AT table. neither Estrada nor his
guest uncovered their active thought
which revolved around Hardin and his
hurt. Instead, Rickard had questions
to ask his host on river history. As
they talked, 1t came to him that some
thing was amiss-Estrada was nc.
curate; he had all his facts. Was II
enthusiasm, sympathy, he lacked? Pres
emily he challenged him with It.
Estrada's eyes dreamed out of the
window. followed the gorge Of the New
river. as though out there. somewhere.
the answer hovered.
do you mean. do you doubt III" ex.
claimed Rickard, watching the melap-
choly In the beautiful eyes.
Estrada shook his head, but withont
decision. Nothing you'd not laugh at
! can laugh at 1t myself, sometimes"
Richard waited. not sure that snv.
thing more was coming. The MeYi.
cans dark eyes were troubled: puzzle
brooded in them. "It's a purely mega.
tive sense that I've had, since / vas a
child. Something falls between me
and plan. II said It was a veil. II
would be-somethlngI" His voice fell
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10

Nouh ioi uO NOutiuStuCitS. u6
interests at stake are too VITAL
Interests r cried Tom Hardin,
"What do you know of the interest at
staker You or your railroad? Coming
In at the eleventh hour. what can you
know? Did you promise safety to thou
sands of families II they made their
homes in this valley? Are you RESPONSE
blei Did you get up this company. in
duce your friends to put their money
In 1t, promise to see them through?
What do you know of the interests at
stake? You want to put one hundred
thousand dollars into frill. God. do
you know what that means to my
company? II means ruin" Estrada
pulled him down in his seat.
Rickard explained to the directors
the necessity In his opinion Of the spur
track and the quarry. Rock In great
quantities would be needed; cars must
be rushed In to the break. He urged
the importance Of clenching the issue.
"If it's not won this time, it's lost
cause" he maintained. IF II cuts a
deeper gorge. the Imperial valley is q
chimera SO Is Laguna DAM"
The other men were drawn into the
argument. Babcock leaned toward Har-
dln's conservation. MacLean was tu-
dicial. Estrada upheld Rlckard. The
spur-track. in his opinion. was essen
tial to success. Hardin could see the
meeting managed between the new
conner and the Mexican. and his anger
impotently ragged. His temper made
him incoherent He could see Rickard.
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10
Oldest Known Element.

Sulphur Is one Of the Oldest known
elements; the ancient Assyrian alchcm-
lists regarded it as the principle Of
combustion and termed Il ''brimnone.s
literally burning stone.
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10
(To BE coNTINUEp.)
unslklIIed Labor.

UnsslIIed Labor.
A man never realizes what the term
'unskilled labor" can mean until he
boldly volunteers to repair the water
faucets and take down the screen
doors.-Washington Star.
The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10
innes Hardin feels 4 bitter ~.
sentiment against Rickard be-

cause Of his suppIantino her
brother, whom she loves devot-
edly. Gerty's emotions are Of a
different character, but she caro-
fully eonceals them. Storms
hover over the Hardin house
hold. Watch for the next In
staIlment.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-03-20

especially in some parts. l went to
bed with shoes and leggins on froze
to thaw them out. When spring came
it wasn't so bad. All Of us were al
ways following about going to the
front. So last of May orders came
through for 41st Division to be made
replacement for other Divisions. On
June 1st l was transferred to % In
fantry, End Division. They were at
that time in Chateau Thiery where we
stopped Fritzie from going to Paris.
We were there until July 9Th. Made
| three attacks. Believe me the Ger
mans were stronger than now. l was
act corporal the first battle. l didn't
know what a Dutchman looked like but
experience soon taught me. So on
July 18th we made an attack at
| Scissors, advanced IL kilometers LIST
day and seven the next and were re-
lieved there on August 4th. We we're
on Polly Mousson sector in front of
| Metz until 18th. We went to st. Mi
hiel made a drive there lasted five
days. We then went to front known
as Champagne front, Verdun sector.
Made drive there Oct. End lasted IL
days, after that we came to Argonne
forest, the last on Nov. LIST. Was in
front lines when armistice was signed.
We made advance of "a kilOmeterS.
| Went night and day. | have had my
clothes shot in many places, had my
pack blown off and not hurt myself.
Had my pistol belt hit twice. Had my
rifle torn out of my hand by piece of
shrapnel, went through my right hand,
the only scratch l got. | have gone
over top as it is called 10 times. l am
one among few who didn't get hit.
l have had shells exploded within 6
feet of me, knock me uown stun me for
few seconds and then go on, been in
gas several times, lever got me as it
did others. Mother I can't begin to
explain the conditions. / have suf-
fered until l prayed for shell to hit
me. Of course | am Sergeant and
have to look out for my men, keep
them in good spirits. 1t was hard at
times but I did it. | feel like | have
done my duty and will be happy more
when I am discharged. We marched
through Belgium, Luxembourg and
through Germany to Rhine River to
Coblenz and now I am looking forward
to Xmas and returning home.
l will try to tell you all when | re-
turn, as for publishing my letter am
not looking for notoriety.
Wishing you all a Merry Xmas and
Happy New Year. I am,
SERGT. T. H. CRAWFORD,
Co., M, % Infantry.
A. E. F., France.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-03-20
Letters From Soldier Boys.

see you a few days on my way home.
Then go to my wife, visit her people
and we both shall again come to MIS-
sissippi on a visit if possible to do so
bfore school starts. We havn't learn
ed the time for this division to sail.
The only way I've celebrated peace,
is by giving thanks unto God. Or
course | shall one day celebrate as |
believe it is quite all right, so long as
we remember the Christ who deliver
ed us. Some of the soldiers got on a
| spree, but that sort of celebration is
| all out of date and not the right kind.
We have schools for the men de
| string to stay, while awaiting our or
ders for home. We have a place of
amusement where we put on boxing
bouts and different programs and to-
dav a revival starts. To be three ser
mons per day for three successive
DAYS. So, the men are better content
ed. We drill only five hours per day,
though it is very cold, we hardly
notice it now.
Lou and Clay have V written me
| since-I don't know when, but heard
from them Oct. 10Th, then | received
your letters telling lme) of them. But
| hardly think that any of us shall en-
ter politics. | shall in all probability
| steer clear of same. We appreciate
the support just the same.
| have good letters from Bits (Blr-
die) very often. She writes that the
flu is very serious in Pineville. hope
YOU are all we'll and the flu disappears
soon.
When you see any of my brothers,
sisters or relatives, and all my friends
| give them my love and sincerest
wishes. | shall try TO see all OF them
when | come home. We certainly ap-
preciate the backing w received from
our people back home in buying Llber-
tv Bonds and in ever sending up to
God petitions for victory and IN ouI
behalf. So, | speak for all of us who
have served our country though some
can't speak to you all today, their
| message would be a message of appre-
| citation and love for their parents, II
| they should speak.
May God bless all of you,
Your loving son,
WILLIE KEEL.
Co., F, 326th Inf, Sind Division.
A. P. O. TAP, A. E. F., France
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-03-20
S%ampigony, France.
Jan. 20, 1919.

Dear Father and Mother:
How are you getting along! I'm
Par Bon myself, and hope this Will
find you all the anne We are av-
ing some real nice weather IN Frog
Land, just now the mountains, hills
and valleys are covered with snow
January and February are our old
est months over here they say ana
don't think they will ever get SO very
fierce, so you see I've just about
finished my worst months. l am sure
| will make it fine now, but Will sure
be glad when beautiful spring comes
with it's flowers and beautiful green
Really | think France will be a rlgh1
nrettv place in the spring it ought to
be any way.
Well | surely hope all Of you are
having good health, but am aWfuliy
uneasy about you all, as the "flu
has made such a raid in the Y. D
and took so much toll. | can't heal
from you all , and | can't get a letter
from Mabel, it looks as if | will get
home before getting a letter Dut may
he III get a letter soon, | hope so, any
way.
Well papa | guess you are plann-
ing for your 1919 crop, are you not !
| sure hope it will be a good crop veal
this e for | feel as if last yeal
was almost a failure, and I'm sure a
good crop is needed all over the U. 3
Work my mule to a finish, don't lei
him forget how, for when | get home
he sure has got to go down the row.
When | get back | am going to buy
another one and go to farming like a
real farmer. | have thought would
never farm any more when l get out
of the Army, but it's farming for me
I've already got air castles built.
Well my throat is just fine, l would
not have those old tonsils back fol-
ANYTHING. They SUI were poison
looking fellows. I walked over to the
operating room and had them took out
with out any dope and walked back
stayed in bed one half a day, got w
and am as good and we'll now, never
even had a fever.
Again / thank you father and moth.
er for making me obey when | was al
home, you see it's easy for me tt
obey now.
| must close. May God bless ant
keep you all and me. Answer soon to
Your loving son,
PRIVATE SAMUEL McNEELY,
Headquarters Co., 18th Infantry.
A. P. o. 743., A. E F
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-03-20
TRUCKS AND CARS
ARE HIT BY TAXES
Commercial Vehicles To Pay Three
Per Cent and Other Cars
5 Per Cent.

Washington, March 15.-The 1919
revenue bill, taxing cars, trucks, tires,
accessories, parts, truck express and
taXicabs, includes a tax of three per
cent on motor trucks, trailers and the
equipment, including tires, tubes and
other parts, 5 per cent IN passenger
cars, including equipment, except on
tractors, which are not taxed, and 5
per cent on tires, inner tubes, parts
and accessories made for cars and sold
to any person othr than a a manu-
facturer. The floor tax on parts orig
inally included is now eliminated.
Taxicabs, which includes all cars
that carry passengers for hire, will
pay a tax of $40 with a seating
capacity of seven or less and $40 for
machines with = capacity for more
than sever persons.
The tax of three per cent on motor
truck haulage where it completes with
rail or water transportation of freight
remains in the bill, and in addition
there is a tax of one cent for each
20 cents paid for motor truck express
where it completes with rail or water
express and eight per cent ct the
transportation fee for carrying CT
passengers by motor truck, passenger
car or motorcycle when it is in compe-
tition with rail or water carriers.
In short, the taxs are:
Three per cent on motor trucks and
trailres.
Five per cent on passenger cars.
Five per cent tax on tires, parts,
accessories and inner tubes.
Ten per cent tax on SHOWS.
Ten dollars annual tax on taxicabs
seating seven OF less.
Twenty dollars annual tax on taxi
cabs carrying more tnan seven per-
Three per cent of transport cost for
freight by truck in competition with
rail or water.
Five per cent of transport cost for
express by truck or passenger car in
competition with rail or water.
Eight per cent of transport fee for
carrying passengers by truck, passen-
ger car or motorcycle in competition
with rail or water.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-03-20
GEORGE HALL WRITES
FROM GERMANY
Weiss, Germany.
Jan. rs, 1919.

Dearest One:-
How are you today, fine l hope, !
received your card tonight and was
glad to hear from you.
You asked me to tell you all about
my trip since it can be told l guess !
can tell you some of it any way.
We left Camp Merritt on the 18th
of August and went to Montreal,
Canada, and went aboard an English
boat there on the afternoon of the
18th and sailed that same afternoon
up the st. Lawrence River to Sydney
Harbor, Nova Scotia, where we stayed
four days and then we started across