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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 1911)
Kb. Statn U. , Cavanagh, Forest Ranger The Great Conservation Novel By HAMLIN GARLAND Copyright. 1010. by Hamlin Garland '. CHATTER XIV. I' PLAQUE ASD MURDER. UPON leaving timber line Cat anagh and Wetherford entered upon a wide and sterile slope high ,on . the rocky breast of the great peak" whose splintered crest lorded the range. Snow fields lay all about, and a few feet higher up the canyons were filled with ice. It was a garage , and tempest swept spot In which to pitch a tent, but there among the rocka shivered the minute canvas home of the shepherd, and close be side It, guarded by a lone dog and ly ing like a thick spread flock of rimy bowlders (almost unnotlceable In their silent Immobility) huddled the sheep. "There's your house," shouted Ross to Wetherford. The older mnn, with white face of dismay, looked about him, unable to make reply. "Hello, there!" shouted Ross, won dering at the absence of human life about the camp. "Hello, the house!" Rocelving no answer to his hall, be turned to Wetherford. "Looks as if Ambro has pulled out and left the col lie to tend the flock. He's been kind of seedy for some days." Dismounting, he approached the tent. The collie, who knew him, seemed to understand his errand, for he leaped upon him as If to kiss his cheek. Ross put him down gently. "You're almost too glad to see me, old fellow. I won der how long you've been left here aloBe." 1 , Thereupon he opened the tied flap, but started back with instant percep tion of something wrong, for there, on his pile of ragged quilts, lay the Basque herder, with flushed face and rolling eyes, crazed with fever and en tlrely helpless. "You'd better not come Id here, Wetherford' Ross warned. "Joe is here, horribly sick, and I'm afraid It's something contagious. It may be smallpox." Wetherford recoiled a step. "Small- poxf What makes you think that?" "Well, these Basques have been hav lng it over In their settlement, and, be sides, it smells like it" He listened a moment. "I'm afraid Joe's in for It. He's crazy with It. But he's a human being, and we can't let hira die here alone. You rustle some wood for the stove, and I'll see what I can do for him." Wetherford was old and wasted and thin blooded, but he had never been a coward, and lu his heart there still burned a small flame of bis youthful, reckless, generous daring. Pushiug Cavanagh one side, he said with firm decision: "You keep out of there. I'm the one to play nurse. This Is my Job." "Nousensel I am younger and stronger than you." "Get away!" shouted the older mun. "Gregg hired me to do this work, and It don't matter whether I live or die. But you've got something to do iu the world. My girl needs you, and she don't need me, so get out of here and stay out. Go bring me that wood and I'll go in and see v hat's the matter." Cavanagh looked hlin in the face an Instant. "Very well," said he, "I'll do as you say. There's no use of our both taking chances." It was beginning to rain, 'and the tent was dark and desolate, but as the Are in the little stove commenced to snarl and the smoke to pour out of the pipe the small domicile took on cheer. Wetherford knew how to care for the sick and iu the shelter of the canvas wall developed unforeseen vig or and decision. It wos amazing to Cavanagh to witness his change of manner. Soon a pan of water was steaming, nnd some hot stones were at the suf ferer's feet, and when Wetherford ap peared at the door of the tent his face was almost happy. "Kill a sheep. There isn't a thing but a heel of un ion and a little flour iu the place." Twenty miles of, most difficult trail lay between Cnvatiagh's cublu nnd tbis spot. To curry the sick man on bis horse would not only be painful to the sufferer, but dangerous to the res tucr, for if the Basque were really ill f smallpox contagion would surely follow. On the other hand, to leave hlni to die here unaided seemed inhu man, '-iissilile. "Tin . w Is only one thing to do," he railed to Wetherford. "and that Is for Die to rklo back to the station and bring up some extra bedding and my own tent and so camp down beside you." "All right, but remember I've estab lished a quarantine. I'll crack your head If you break over the line an Inch." There was no longer any feeling of reaching up or reaching down between the two men they were equals. Weth erford, altogether admirable, seemed to have regained his manhood as he utood In the door of tho tent confront kigtheranger. "This Rasqpe ain't much of a find: but. as you say. he- human, and we can't let him lie here and die. I'll ttny with him till you ran find a doctor or till he diea. "I take off my hat to ym, respond ed Cavanagh. "You are a man. Once back at his cabin after leaving Wetherford. Cavanagh set himself to cooking some food to take back with him to the peak. He brought in his pack horse and burdened him with camp outnt ana utensils and extra clothing. He filled his pockets with such nieiMclnes as he possessed, and so at last, just as night was fulling, he started buck over his difficult trail. Wetherford met him at the door, no longer the poor old tramp, but a priest. one who has devoted himself to Christ's service. "now Is he?" asked the ranger. "Delirious." replied the herder. "I've had to hold him to his bed. I'm glad you've come. It's lonesome up here. Don't come too near. Set your tent down there by the trees. I can't have you infected. Keep clear of me and this camp." "I've got some food and some extra clothing for you." "Put 'em down here, and In the morning drive these sheep away. That noise disturbs the dago, and 1 don't like It myself; they sound lonesome and helpless. That dog took 'em away for awhile, but brought 'era back again. Poor devil, he don't know what to think of It ail." Ross did as Wetherford commanded him to do and withdrew a little way down the slope and without putting up his tent rolled himself in his blan kets and went to sleep. The ranger's first duty in the morn ing was to feed the faithful collie and to send him forth with the flock. Ills next was to build a fire and cook some breakfast for Wetherford, and as he put it down beside the tent door he heard the wild pleading of the Basque, who was struggling with his nurse, doubtless. In tho belief that he was being kept a prisoner. Only a few words like "go home" and "sheep" were Intelligible to either the nurse or the rauger. Cavanagh waited till a sileuce came, then called softly, "Here's your break fast, Wetherford." "Move away," retorted the man within. "Keep your distance." Ross walked away a little space, and Wetherford came to the door. "The dago is sure sick. There's no two ways about thut. How far is it to the nearest doctor?" "I could reach one by phone from tho Kettle ranch, about twenty miles below here." "If he don't get better today I reck od we'll have to have a doctor." He looked so white and old that Cava nagh said: "You need rest Now, I think I've had the smallpox. I know I've been vaccinated, and if you go to bed" "If you're saying all that preliminary to offering to come in here you're wasting your breath. I don't intend to let you come'any nearer than you are. There is work for you to do. Be sides, there's my girl. You're detailed to look after her." "Would a doctor come?" asked Ross quite huskily, moved by Wetherford's words. "It's a hard climb. Would they think the dago worth it?" Wetherford's face darkeued with n look of doubt. "It is a luird trip for a city man, but maybe he would come for you for the government." "I doubt it, even If I were to offer my next month's sulury as a fee. These hills are very remote to the townsfolk and one dago more or less of no Importance, but I'll see what I can do." Ross was really more concerned for Wetherford himself than for th Basque. "If the fever Is something malignunt we must have inedlcnl aid," he suld and went slowly back to his own camp to ponder his puzzling prob lem. One thing could certainly be done, and that was to Inform Gregg and Murphy of their herder's Illness. Sure ly they would come to the rescue of the collie and his flock. To reach a telephone Involved either a ride over Into Deer Creek or n return to the Fork. He was tempted to ride all the way to the Fork, for to do so would permit another meeting with Lee. But to do this would require many hours longer, and half a day's delay might prove fatal to the Basque, and, be tides, each hour of loneliness and toil rendered Wetherford Just so much more open to the deadly attack of the Slsease. It was hard to leave an old and iroken man In such a drear and wind contested spot, and yet It bad te be done; so, fustenlng his tent securely behind a clump of Junipers, Cavanagh mounted his horse and rode away across the boundary of the forest Into Deer Creek basin, which hod been the bone of much contention for nearly four years. It had once been a part of the forest, but under pressure the pres ident had permitted It to be restored to the public lands open for entry. It was not "agricultural grounds," as certain ranchers claimed, but it was excellent summer pasture, and the sheepmen and cattlemen had leaped at once into warfure to possess it. Sheep were beaten to death with clubs by hundreds, herders were hustled out of the park with ropes about their necks and their outfits destroyed, and all this within a few miles of the for est boundary, where one small sentinel kept effective watch and ward. Cavanagh had never been over this trail but once, and he was trying to locate the cliff from which a flock of sheep had been hurled by cattlemen some years before when be perceived a thin column of smoke rising from a rocky hillside. With habitual watch fulness aiTu fire. Tie" raised "hVgla'M to his eyes and studied the spot. It was evidently a campflre and smolder ing dangerously, aud. turning his HC PKBC1IVKD A CHABKKD HAND! horse's head, he rode toward it to stamp it out. It was not upon his patrol, but that did not mutter. His duty was clear. As he drew near he began to per celve signs of a broken camp. The ground was littered with utensils. It was not an ordinary campfire, and the ranger's heort qulckeued. "Another sheep herder has been driven out and his tent and provisions burned!" he ex claimed wrathfully. His horse snorted and shied as be rode nearer, and then a shudder passed through the ranger's heart as he per celved in the edge of the smoldering embers a boot heel and then a charred hand! In the smoke of that Ore was the reek of human flesh. For a long time the ranger sat on his horse, peering down into those ashes until at last it became evident to bis eyes that at least two sheep herders bud beeu sacrificed on the cattleman's altar of hate and greed. All about on the sod the story was written all too plain. Two men, pos sibly three, had been murdered, cut to pieces and burned not many hours be fore. There stood the bloody spade with which the bodies hod been dls membered, and there lay an empty can whose oil had beeu poured upon the mingled enmp utensils, tent and wagon of the herders in the attempt to Incln erate the hacked and dismembered limbs of the victims. The lawlessness of the range bad culminated. The ferocity of the herder had gone beyond the savage. Here In the sweet autumn air the reek of the cattleman's veuge once rose like some hideous vapor, poisonous and obscene. The ranger sickened as the bloody tale unfolded Itself before him. Then a fierce hate of such warfare flamed In his heart. Could this enormity be committed under any other civilized Aug? Would any other government In termingle so foolishly, so childishly, its state and federal authority as to per mit such diabolism? In his horror, his sense of revolt, he cursed the state of which he was a citizen. He would have resigned his commission at tue moment, so Intense was his resentment of the supine, core less. Jovial, slattern government under which he wus serving. "By the Lord." he breathed, with solemn Intensity, "If this does not shame the people of this state into revolt, if these (lends ore not hound ed and hung. I will myself harry them. I cannot live and do my duty here un less this crime Is avenged by law." Chilled, shaking and numb, he set spurs to his horse and rode furiously down the trail toward the nearest town, so eager to spread the olorm that he could scarcely breathe a dee; breath. On the steep slopes he was forced to walk, nnd his horse led so bodly thot his ngony of impatience was deepened. He had n vision of the murderers riding fast into far coun trios. Each hour mode their appre hension progressively the more diffi cult. "Who were they?" he asked himself ngulu and again. "What kind of man did this thing? Was the leader a roan like Ballard? Evea so, be was hired. By whom? By ranchers covetous of the range; that was absolutely cer tain." It was long after noon before he came to the end of the telephone line In a little store and postoffice at the upper falls of Deer creek. The tele phone had a booth fortunately, and he soon hod Red field's ear, but his voice was so strained nnd unnatural that his chief did not recognize It. "Is thnt you. Ross? What's the mat ter? Your voice sounds hoarse." Ross composed himself and told his story briefly. "I'm at Kettle Ranch postoffice. Now listen. The limit of the cuttleman's ferocity has been reached. As I rode down here to get Into communication with a doctor for a sick herder I came upon the scene of another murder and burning. Tho fire is still smoldering. At least two bodies are In the embers." At last, bit by bit, from hurried speech, the supervisor derived the fuct, the location, the hour, and di rected the herder to ride back and guard the remains till the sheriff ar rived. "Keep It all quiet," warned Ross, "and get the sheriff and a doctor to come up here ns quick as you can. What Is this country coming to?" he cried In despair. "Will this deed go unpunished like the rest?" Redfleld's voice had lost Its optimis tic ring. "I don't know; I am stun ned by it nil. Don't do anything rash, Ross. Walt till I come. Perhaps this Is the turning point out here. I'll be up at the earliest moment." Tho Imhlttercd and disheartened ranger then called up Iee Virginia, andthe sound of her sweet voice turn ed his thoughts to other and in a sense more Important matters, for when she heard bis name she cried out with such eager longing and ap peal that his heart leaped. "Oh, I wish you were here! Mother has been worse today. She Is asking for you. Can't you come down und see us? She wants to tell you something." i can't I con't!" be stammered. "1 I I'm a long way off. and I have Important work to do. Tell her I will come tomorrow. Dear girl, there Is a slik man far up on the mouutaln side with no one to care for hiiu but a poor old herder who Is lu dunger of fulling sick himself. I must go back to them; but. believe me, I will come Just as soon as my duties will let me. You understand me, don't you?" Her voice was fainter us she said. "Yes. but 1 It seems hard to wait." "I know. Your voice has helped me. I was in a black mood when 1 came here. I'm going back now to do my work, and then 1 will come to you. Goodby." Strangely beautiful and very subtle was he vibrant stir of that wire as It conveyed back to his ear the little sigh with which she made answer to his plea. He took his way upward in a mood which was meditative, but no longer bitter. (To Be Continued.) THE BOYS TOO SMART FOB HI GROOM Made Up Their Minds They Could Serenade as Well One Place .as Another. From Vrlday's Dally. Mr. Robert Gibson and wife, nee Miss. Nettie Smith, were tendered an improiutu reception and serenade by a patty of young gentlemen friends, who played various sorts and conditions of musical instruments. The serenade was not wholly unex pected, though somewhat of a surprise, taking place some time after Ihe band concert closed last evening. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson were down town when the serenaders or ganized and selected a drum major, and had started home with their valises and had reached the residence of Mr. C. C. Wescott, who was industriously sprinkling his lawn, whilo conversing with the bride and groom. Mrs. Gib son was dresed in white, while Mr. Gibson was without his coal, nnd holh were easily discerned in Ihe dim moonlight. Before their chat with Mr. Wescolt ended a pary of men, marching in double column, were heard stepping with military tread upon the pavement near the ill ley. The company kept its course right on up the walk, keeping step and with measured stride. Mr. Gibson was at once an interested spectator, for he was young once himself. But in order thai he might not attract too much nl lent ion he retired into Ihe shadow of Mr. Wescolt's dwell ling and awailed developments, never suspecting that Ihe eagle eye of Ihe leader of Ihe band hnd discovered him and Mrs. Gibson. The company of young men kepi the even tenor nf their inarch until I hey were directly opposite the church, when the column made n quarter wheel left and marched directly across the street. Mr. Gibson and wife still thought dial it was merely a freak of the party desiring lo change sides of Ihe street, hut when the marchers reached Ihe pavement on the south side of the street they did not turn, hut kept right on across the lawn until within a few feet of Mr. and Mrs. Gib son, when, at a word of command from the drum major, the musical instruments were given full play. There were bells, pans, kettles, guns and other such musical Instruments, which, when set in motion, awoke Mr. Wcscott's wifo and children. After a few blasts and strains the Instruments were all placed In Ihe cases and the uhole band escorted Mr. and Mrs. Gibson to their home, where a goodly quantity of cigars were passed out (0 the boys nnd all went away happy. Mrs. R. H. Cowles anil children of Watson, Missouri, arrived to day and will spend tho Fourth with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Andrews. Do you want an AUCTIONEER? If you do, get one who has Experience, Ability, Judgement. Telegraph or write ROBERT WIKINSON, Dunbar, Neb. Ditei mils at thu ofi:i or thj Murray State Bank. Good Service an Reasoble Rate A DELIGHTFUL AFTERNOON ' SPENT AT THE BADE HOME' Ladies' Auxiliary or Presbyterian Church Enjoy a Fine Meeting Wednesday Afternoon. From Thursday's Dally. The Ladies' auxiliary of the Presbyterian church held a most delightful meeting at the home of Mrs. L. V. Gade yesterday after noon. The Woman's Missionary society of t his church met with the ladies of the auxiliary and there was a large number of the ladies of both organizations in attendance, there being about llfty present. During Ihe early part of the afternoon the ladies of the auxiliary held their regular busi ness session, which was made as brief as possible in order that they might adjourn and listen to the line program which the ladies of the Misisonary society had pre pared. Mrs. Gade had charge of the program oi this occasion and the subject for tho afternoon was that of "Alaska and Mexico." Mrs. Thomas Pollock gavo a splendid talk on "Alaska," tho talk being of tho study of Alaska, where she both attended and taught school many years ago. Her talk was most thoroughly enjoyed by those fortunate enough to bo present Reading of clippings from maga zines and selected portions of hooks on both Alaska and Mexico were given by Mrs. '. B. Shopp and Mrs. P. G. Morgan, which were likewise as interesting. Miss Gladys Marshall gavo a charming number in the shape of a beauti ful vocnl solo, entitled "Moment by Moment." The script uro les son was read by Mrs. J. T. Baird. Following this splendid pro gram the ladies spent a few very pleasant moments in a social way, after which most delicious re freshments wero served. Mrs. Gade was assisted in serving by Misses Gertrude Morgan and Crete Briggs. At Ihe usual time the ladies dispersed, very much indebted lo tho hostess for the enjoyable afternoon spent. Probate Notice. IN COUNTY COURT. .Stale of Nebraska, County of Cass, ss. In the matter of tho estate of Albert Eugene Lewis, deceased. To All Persons Interested: You nre hereby notified that there has been filed in this court a report of tho administrator of said estate, together with his peti tion for final settlement thereof. That a hearing will ho had up on said report and petition beforo this court in tho County Court Rooms at Platlsmouth, in said County, on the 3rd day of July, 1911, at 9 o'clock a. in. That all objections thereto, if any, must bo filed on or before said day and hour of hearing. Witness my hand nnd seal of the County Court of said County this 81 h day of June, 1911. (SKAL) Allen J. Beeson, County Judge. Band Concert Last Night. From Frltlny's Daily. The band concert, which coin inenced an hour later last night, was attended by n largo crowd of enthusiastic nuditors. The people turned out more numer ously nnd seemed to appreciate the music more than ever before, the only comment heard being that it did not last, long enough. There were five numbers on the program, some of I hem classical music. Tho public was not back ward in applauding after each selection. Horses Strayed. Three head of horses strayed from Ihe I'armelo ranch, near Cedar Creek, this week a black mare with sucking colt, and a bay 2-year-old colt with star in fore head and head halter on. Leave information concerning them with Fred Ohlenhausen, Independent 'phone 8 It; or with Bank of Cass County. G-30-dfU-w2l. For Sale. I have a half section, 320 acres, in Sandborn county, South Da kota, one quarter fenced, artesian well flowing through it, that I will sell at a reasonable price. Terms to suit the purchaser. Address, A. W. Smith, Plattsmouth, Neb. C-22-lmw. Sisters Alien and Mourine, who have been making Plattsmouth their homo for tho past year, de parted this morning for Cincin na Mound, Wisconsin, where the Mother House is situated, and where they will spend tho summer. NEW TOWN NEAR FORT DESJilOINES Election Called to Vote on Its Incorporation. MAIL BOXES ON STREET CARS New Departure to Be Put in Force fo Collection of Letters Number of Saloons in Iowa Will Not Excee Seven Hundred This year. Des Moines, June 30. lo the dis trict court an order was entered to an election to be held by residents oC a large tract of land lying between Des Moines and Fort Des Moines 0 the Question of Incorporating a new town to be called South Fort Des Moines. A commission was named te take charge of the Incorporation ant it la declared the election will carry unanimously. The new town Is set tling up rapidly. Number of Saloons Less. The Anti-Saloon league has made a compilation of results of the year's canvass for saloon petitions In Iowa, and finds that not to exceed 700 sa loons will be legally operated after July 1. This Is a very large reduc tion In the number and Is due to the change In public sentiment In many of the smaller cities of the state. Eighty six licenses were granted In Des Moines. Malt Boxes on Cars. General Manager llarrlgan of tho city railway hns been notified that the postoffice department has accepted his proposition regarding the payment to mail boxes carried on tho street cam of Drs Moines. This proposition is for a mall box on every street car at an annual cost of $4,100 a year, for s period of four years. MEXICAN WAR VETERAN DIES William R. Keep of Harlan Paste Away at Age of Eighty-Seven. Harlan, la., June 30. William It Keep, eighty seven years old, a resi dent of Shelby county for more thai thirty years and the only surviving veteran of the Mexican war In thlsv county, Is dead. He was a second lieu tenant in the war. A widow and eight children survive. Funeral service were held from the family home under the auspice of Harlan O. A. R. post Young Farmer Is Arrested. Iowa City, la., June 80. Charge with attempting to break Into the room of Miss Barbara Hremerman. daughter of a prominent farmer llvlns) near Iowa City, Jonas Graber was ar rested, brought here and placed la Jail. Ho alleges that the farmer locked up his daughter, who desired the young man to release her. He denies he- made an effort to breast down the door. State Bar Association Meets. Oskaloosa, la., June 30. The seven teenth annual convention of the lowa State liar association opened here. Pa pers were read by Justice John O. Sherwln of the supreme court and F. F. Dawley of Cellar Haplds. President J. I Carney of MarahalHown deliv ered his annual address. County Attorneys Elect Officers. Osknloosa, la., June 30. The Iowa County Attorneys' association closed Its convention here with the election of officers, as follows: President, W. C. Katcllffo of Hed Oak; vice presi dent, V. H. Palmer of Maquokota; secretary-treasurer, A. J. Hurt of E5ra- metrtburg. Treynor Celebrates First Railroad. Council Huffs, la., June 30. The people of Treynor celebrated the ail vent of a railroad to their town. Trains over the new railroad were run. every two hours all day to accommo date the throng of visitors, hundred of whom had never seen the town be fore. "Wets" Win at Decorah. Deeorah, la., June 30. The board of supervisors declared the late salcon petition sufficient and consequently the saloons will open July 1. Whether or not the antl saloon element will ap peal the case Is not known. The sv loon men had eleven names majority. Ottumwa Conductor Killed. Davenport, la., June 30. George. Gilbert of Ottumwa, a conductor on the Milwaukee railroad, fell from the rear of an engine which was backing up near Dufialo and was run over. H dli'd at a hospital In Davenport. Will Appeal License Case. Iowa City, la., Juno 30. The low City license war goes to the supreme tourt. Judge Howell has affirmed the rulings of Mayor George V. Koonta and upholds the 1500 license for ped dlers. Atlantic Pioneer Stricken. Atlantic. la., June 30. A. G. Beech, one of the pioneer merchants of At lantic, suffeted a stroke of apoplexy. It U feared he may not recover, as be Is still In a serious condition. Bin. Bln?e at Van Home. Van Home, la., June 30. Fire of unknown origin' thieatened the enttrt business district and destroyed the electric light plant. The lots will ex ceed $14,000. 1