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.
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