South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-02

been cut off from the rest OF the
world for two weeks. We need food
and coal. Road will not be open
for four or five weeks more under
ordinary circumstances This will
mean death to many of us here. the
wiping out of a great timber and
agricultural country. and a blot on
the history of Colorado. Help us
and we will not forget it,
THE CITIZENS OF THE WEST
COUNTRY
Sounds good" The telegrapher
was busily putting it on the wire.
Then a wait of hours. Then the wire
clattered forth a message. He
jumped
It's from the papers in Denver!"
he shouted "A Joint message.
They've taken up the fight"
The snow still swirled. the
storms still came and went. Dur
ing this period Of uncertainty
Houston met Ba'tiste Renaud. re-
turning from the lake region TO find
him raging.
rs eet that the world is all un-
iust?" ne roared 1 am the mad
enough TO tear them apart"
Who? What's gone wrong"
All, They have the saw going
they keep at work. when there are
the women and the babies who
starve, when there are the cattle who
are dying. when there is the country
that is like a broken thing. They
know that we do not get our ma
chincry! They have think they have
a chance-for the contract"
1t brought Houston to a sharp
knowledge Of conditions They had
given. that the rest of the country
might not suffer. Their enemies had
worked on. fired with the new hope
that the machinery necessary to
carry out HOuston's contract would
not arrive in time
\ shout had come from the dis
lance Family through the sitting
snow they could see figures rum
ming Then the words came:
They're going to open the road.
They're going TO open the road"
A message bearer came from the
station Its the NJ p & $. L. Ac-
cording 10 the message. the papers
hammered the stufting out OF the
Crestline road. The other road saw
a great chance to step in. It's lend
ing the men and the rolling stock.
They're Soing TO open another fell
lows road. for the publicity and the
good will that's in it,"
Two pictures flashed across Hous-
tons brain; one of snowy sawmill
with the force working day and
night. when all the surrounding
country cried for help: another of
carload after carload of necessary
machinery. snow-covered, ice-bOund
on a sidetrack at Tollifer with the
whole. horrible snow-Clutched fierce
ness Of the Continental Divide be-
tween it and its goal.
In the night he awoke again
thinking Of it. Every possible hand
that could swing a pick or jam
crowbar against grudging ice would
Doe needed up there. a mad desire
began TO come over him; a strange,
impeding scheme took hold of his
brain They would need men-men
who would not be afraid. men who
would be willing 10 slave day and
night if necessary to the success OF
tho adventure. Long before dawn
he rose and scrubbed a note 10 Ba'-
tiste Renaud:
I'm going over the range. I can't
wait They may need me. I'm writ
ing this because you would try to
dissuade me if told you personally.
Don't be afraid for me-Ill make il
somehow. I've got to go It's
easier than standing by.
HOUSTON"
Then. his snowshoes affixed. he
went GU into the nisht. The storm
clouds were thick on the sky again.
the snow was dashing about aim
once more. He floundered aimlessly.
striving by short sallies TO recover
the path from which the storm was
driving him
Dawn found him at last, founder
ing hopelessly in snow-screened
woods going or toward he knew not
where
a half-hour. then he stopped.
Fifty feet away. almost covered by
the changing SHOWS. a small cabin
showed family. His numbed hands
banged at the door, but :here came