Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-05-24

However, since we've set you afoot
some six miles from Valley Center
wen not desert you. Hop in and I'll take
you home. You will have to send
wrecking car back for that mess"
Thanks" Babson stepped in. well,
we'll" he began unctuously. you've
changed, Nate. should never have
recognized you. Back in Eden Valley
to stay?
Perhaps. How are things with you.
Mr.. Babson?"
Fair. fairl Forlorn Valley, like
the rest of the country. is recuperating
| gradually. The banks had to carry
this doggoned valley since the post
war depression struck u.s.
WELL" Nate soothed. you'll soon
begin to get your loans in. Beefs
coming up. The cattlemen have GER
tainly taken bad licking, but those
who have held their breeding stock
intact will make a cleanup within
three years. was saying as much to
Lorry Kershaw recently. Old RANGES
estate is in a bad way and Miss Ker-
shaw was feeling bit downhearted."
well. she's nght-hearted today"
Babson was pleased that his host had
opened this subject Of conversation
and little dreamed that Tichenor had
purposely done so. shes sold four
thousand acres of worthless land her
father gave her to the Mountain Val
ley Power company. Must have got at
least three hundred thousand dollars
for it. Cleaned up the mortgage and
paid old RANGES notes." He glanced
slyly at Tichenor. "Unless you close in
on her l reckon she'll work out of the
hole she's in."
Il think so, too. No sense crowding
her, in that event. She's a capable
girl and will make good If given a
chance. So I'm going to give her that
chance"
"By the way, hear you've sold your
dam site to the Mountain Valley Pow
er company" said Babson.
Eyes. they made me an offer-a
mighty fine offer. in fact, and couldn't
see any profit in rejecting II.
News reaches you very promptly" he
added.
"A new company, believe. Know
anything about this outfit-who's back
Of it and why?"
1T is a Delaware corporation CAPT.
talized for two million dollars with a
license to do business in California.
m kn 40
impound the flood waters of Eden VAL
ley creek after they have passed over
the Circle K and the Bar II ranches
and use the water for the production
of power"
Babson now remembered the daz-
cling thought that had operated to
wreck his automobile. "You may have
noticed the large number of gasoline
driven pumping plants, Nate"
II did, and guessed the reason. The
water tables are receding and the lift
is increasing; hence more power Is re-
quired to pump. hear the power COM
pany's rates are pretty high. so I sup
pose the farmers are trying out a
cheaper method of pumping, although
since gasoline is not cheaper than cleo
tricity, surmise the gasoline farmers
must have had their power cut off be-
cause they didn't or couldn't pay their
bills to the power company"
you've gone straight to the milk
In the coconut, Nate. l wonder If It
wouldn't be good idea for the farm.
ers of Forlorn Valley to organize an
irrigation district and make contract
with the Mountain Valley Power com.
pany to sell it water for surface irri.
gation?"
"a good idea for the farmers but
bad idea for the company. OF course
in years of unusually heavy freshet ii
might be glad to divert its excess wa.
ter to Forlorn Valley. but In subnormal
years. such as we have been expert
encing the past three winters, the de-
mands of Forlorn Valley might lower
the water In the reservoir to a point
below the power company's ditch and
operate to close down its power plant"
"You seem pretty sure of your
premise. Nate. How do you know
that"
Tichenor smiled president little
smile. Because I'm the president of
the Mountain Valley Power company.
In fact I'm the entire company"
For the remainder of the trip into
Valley Center. Babson was glum and
silent to such a degree that Nate
Tichenor noticed his preoccupation.
saw that Babson's hands were trem-
bling. "For some reason or other"
Tichenor decided that was a direct
hit I'll have to figure this out"
On his part Babson was thinking
confusedly. "As yet the Mountain VAL
ley Power company exists on paper
only. II has its charter from the
state Of Delaware, Its permit to do
business in California, dummy board
of directors and the lands 1t has re-
Gently acquired. If this wretch | am
riding with should die suddenly, the
Mountain Valley Power company might
die with him"
(To be continued)