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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 10, 1911)
Cayanagh, Forest Ranger The Great Conservation Novel By HAMLIN GARLAND Copyright. 19 10. ky Hamlin GtrUnd CHAPTER XVI. CAVAJAGH FOLLOWS HIS CHIEF. W T breakfast next morning Cava- nagh 8a Id: "1 must ride back TA Bld take some breud to the dog. I can't go away and leave him there without saying hello." "Let me do that," suggested Wether- ford. "I'm afraid to go down to the Fork. 1 reckon I'd better go back and tend the sheep till Gregg sends some one up to take my place." "That might be too late to see Lize. Lee's voice showed great anxiety. She may be on her deathbed. No; you'd better go down with me today," he urged. And at lust the old man con sented. Tutting some bread iu his pockets, Rosa rode off up the trail to see how the dog and his flock were faring. lie had not gone fur when he heard the tinkle of the bells and the murmur of the lambs, and a few moments later the collie came toward hitn with the air of a boy who. having assumed to disregard the orders of his master, ex pects a scolding. He plainly said: "I've brought my sheep to you because I was lonesome. Please forgive uie." Cavanagh called to him cheerily and tossed him a piece of bread, which he caught In his teeth, but did not swul low. On the contrary, he held it while leaping for joy of the praise he heard In his new found master's voice. Turning the flock upward toward the higher peaks, the ranger commanded the collie to their heels and so, having redeemed his promise, rode back to the cabin, where he found Wetherford sad dled and ready for his momentous trip to the valley. He had shaved away his gray beard, and hud Ross been un prepared for these changes he would have been puzzled to account for this decidedly military figure sitting statu esquely on his pony before the door. "You can prove an alibi," he called as he drew near. "Gregg himself would never recognize you now." . Wetherford was In no mood for Jok ing. "Llze will. I wore a mustache in the old days, and there's a scar on my chin." As he rode be confided this strange thing to Cavanagh. "I know," said he, "that Lize Is old and wrinkled, for I've seen her, but all the same I can't re alize it. That heavy set woman down there Is not Llze. My Llze Is slim and struight. This woman whom you know has stolen her name and fuce, that's all. I can't explain exactly what I feel, but Lee Virginia means more to me now than Lize." "I think I understand you," said Cavanagh, with sympathy in his voice. The nearer Wetherford came to the actual meeting with his wife the more he shook. At last he stopped In the road. "I don't believe I can do It," he declared. "I'll bo like a ghost to her. What's the use of It? She'll only be worried by my story. I reckon I'd better keep dark to everybody. Let me go back. I'm plum scared cold." While still he argued two men on horseback rounded a sharp turn In the trail and came face to face with the ranger. Wetherford's face went suddenly gray. "There's the deputy!" "Keep quiet. I'll do the talking," commanded Cavnnagli, who was in stant iu his determination to shield the man. "Good morning, gentlemen," he called cheerily. "You're abroad early!" The man in front was the deputy sheriff of the county; his companion was a stranger. "That was a horrible mess you stum bled on over on Deer creek," the dep uty remarked. "It certainly was. Have any arrests been made?" "Not yet. but we're on a clew. This Is Marshal Haines of Dallas. Mr. Cav anagh." pursued the deputy. The two men nodded in token of the introduc tion, and the deputy went on, "You remember that old cuss that used to work for Gregg?" Again Cavumigh nodded. "Well, that chup Is wanted by the Texas authorities. Mr. Haines her wants' to see hi in mighty bad. He's an escaped convict with a bad record." "Is thnt so?" exclaimed Cavanagh. "1 thought he Beemed a bit gun shy." "The last seen of him was when Sum Gregg sent him up to herd sheep. I think he was mixed up in thnt killing myself him and Ballard and we're Hotng up to get some track of him. Didn't turu up at your station, did he?' "Yes; be came by some days ago, on his wny. so he said, to relieve that sick Basque, Ambro. I went up a couple of days ago and foupd the Basque dead and the old man gone. I burled the herder the best 1 could, and I'm on my way down to report the case." The deputy mused: "He may be hanging round some of the lumber camps. I reckon we hud better go up and look the ground over anyhow. Wo might Just chance to overhaul him." "He may have pulled out over the range." suggested the ranger. "Any how, it's a long way up there, and you'll probably have to camp at my place tonight. You'll find the key banging over the door. Go lo and make yourself comfortable." The deputy thanked him and was about to ride on when Cavanagh add ed: "I burned that Basque's tent and beddlug for fear of contagion. lib outfit was worthless anyhow. You'll find the sheep Just above my cabin and the horse In my corral." "The old mau didn't take the horse, eh? Well, that settles it; he's sure at one of the camps. Much obliged. Good day." As the two officers rode away Weth erford leaned heavily on bis pommel and stared at the ranger with wide eyes, nis face was drawn and his lips dry. "They'll get me! They'll get me!" he said. "Oh. no, they won't," rejoined Cava nagh. "You're all right yet. They suspect nothing. How could they. with you la uniform and In my com pany ?" "All the same, I'm scared. That man nalnes had his eyes on me every minute. He saw right through me, They'll get me. and they'll charge me up with that killing." "No, they won't, I tell you." Insisted the ranger. "Ilalntw suspected nothing I had his eye. He never saw you be fore and bus uothing but a descrip tion to go by, so chew up. Your uul form and your osltlon with me will make you safe perfectly safe. They'll find the Basque's camp burned and the sheep in charge of the dog. and they'll fancy that you have skipped across the range. But see here, old man," and he turned on him sharply, "you didu't tell me the whole truth You said you were out on parole." "I couldn't tell you the whole truth." replied the fugitive. "But 1 will now I was In for a life sentence. I was desperate for the open air and home sick for the mouutalus, and I struck down one of the'guards. I was will ing to do anything to get out. 1 thought if I could get back to this country and my wife and child I'd be safe. I said I'd be willing to go back to the pen if necessary, but I'm not. I cau't do It. I'd die there. You must save me for my girl's sake." Ills voice and eyes were wild with a kind of desperate fury of fear, and Cavanagh, moved to pity, assured him of his aid. "Now, listen," be said "I'm going to shield you on account of your work for that poor shepherd and for your daughter's sake. It's my duty to apprehend you, of course, but I'm going to protect you. The safest thing for you to do Is to go back to my cabin. Ride slow, so as not to get there till they're gone. They'll ride over to the sawmill without doubt. If they come back this way remember that the deputy saw you only as a ragged old man with a long beard and that Haines has nothing but a printed description to go by. There's no use trying to flee. You are a marked man In that uniform, and you are safer right here with me than any where else this side of Chicago. Haines is likely to cross the divide in the belief that you have goue that way, and if he does you have no one but the deputy to deal with." He succeeded at last iu completely rousing the older man's courage. Wetherford rose to meet his opportu nity. "I'll do it," he said firmly. "That's the talk!" exclaimed Cav anagh to eucourage him. "You can throw them off the track this time, and when I come back tomorrow I'll bring some other clothing for you, and then we'll plau some kind of scheme that will get you out of the country. I'll not let them make a scapegoat of you." The ranger watched the fugitive as he started back over the trail in this desperate defiance of bis pursuers with fur less conlldence In the outcome than he had put Into words. "All depends on Wetherford himself, If bis nerve does not fall him. If they take the uniform for granted and do not carry the mutter to the supervisor, we will pull the plau through." And In this hope he rode away down tht trull with bent head, for all this bore heavily upon his relationship .to the girl waiting for him in tho valley. He had thought Llze a burden, a social disability, but a convict father now made the mother's faults of small ac count. The nearer he drew to the meeting with Lee Virginia the more Important that meeting became. Cavanagh had seen Virginia hardly more than a scors of times, and yet she filled his thought, confused his plans, making of his brain a place of doubt and hesitation. For her sake he had entered upon a plan to shield a criminal, to harbor an es caped convict. It was of no avail to argue that be was moved to shield Wetherford because of his heroic ac tion on the peak. He knew perfectlj well that It was because he could not see that fair, brave girl further dls graced by the dlseoverjuif her father! Identity, f?or In the seaKhlng'TnquTry which would surely follow bis secret would develop. To marry her, knowing the character of her father and her mother, was madness, and the voice within him warned bltn of his folly. "Pure wa ter cannot be .drawn from corrupt sources," it Is said. Nevertheless the thought of having the girl with him In the wilderness Ailed hlra with di vine recklessness. While still bo de bated, alternately flushed with resolve to be happy and chilled by some strange dejection, he met Swenson, the young guard who guurdvd the forest on tho South Fork. As ho rode up Cavanagh perceived In the other man's face something pro foundly serious. He did not mnlle in greeting, as wus usual with hlra, and, toklng some letters from his pocket, pussed them over In ominous silence. He had a face of such bitterness that It Crote through" even The "absorbed i and selfish meditation Into which Cav anagh had been thrown. "What's the matter, Swenson? Tou look as If you hud lost a friend." 'I have," answered the guard short ly, "and so have you. The ohlef a out." "Whatr "They've got him!" he exclaimed. "ne's out." Cavanagh sprang up. "I don't be lieve It! For what reason? Why?" "Don't that letter tell you? The whole town Is chuckling. Every criminal and plug ugly In the country la spitting In our faces this morning. Yes, sir, the president has fired the chief the man that built up this forestry service. The whole works is going to h , that's what It Is. We'll have all the coal thieves, water power thieves, poachers and free grass pirates piling In on us In mobs. They'll eat up the forest I see the finish of the whole business. They'll put some western man In somebody they can work. Then where will we be?" Cavanagb's young heart burned with Indignation, but he tried to check the other man's torrent of protest "I can't believe It. There's some mistake. Maybe they've made him the secretary of the department or something." "No, they haven't. They've thrown him out. They've downed him be cause he tried to head off some thlev ery of coal mines In Alaska." The man was ready to weep with chagrin and indignant sorrow. His voice choked, and he turned away to con ceal his emotion. Cavanagh put the letter back Into his pocket and mounted his horse, "Well, go on back to your work. Swenson. I'm going to town to get the supervisor on the wire and find out what It all means." He was almost as badly stunned by the significance of Swenson's news as Sweuuou himself. Could It be possible that tho man Mho had built up tho field service of the bureau tho man whose clenn handed patriotism had held the boys together, making them every year more clearly a unit, a lit tie army of enthusiasts could It be possible that the originator, the or ganlzer of this great plan, had been stricken down Just when his Influence was of most account? He refused to believe It of an administration pledged to the cause of conservation. As -he entered the town be was struck Instantly by the change In the faces turned toward him, in the Jocu lar greetings burled at him. "Hello, Mr. Cossack! What do you think of your chief now?" "This will put an end to your In fernal nonsense," said another. "We'll 'ILL' LDn CAVANAGH PUNNED HIS KK8IONATION AND MAILED IT. have a mau in there now who knows the 'western ways and who's willing to boom things along. The cork is out of your forest bottle." Gregg was most offensive of all "This rueuus throwing open tho forest to auybody that wants to use It means an entire reversal of this fool policy." "Walt and see," replied Cavanagh. But his face wus rigid with the ex pression of the fear and anger he felt. With hands that trembled he opened the door to the telephone booth, closed It carefully behind him and called for the supervisor's office. As soon as Redfleld replied he burst forth In question, "Is It true that the chief is outr Red field's voice was husky as he re plied, "Yes, lad; they've got him." "Good Lord, what a blow to the serv ice!" exclaimed Cavanagh with a groan of sorrow and rage. "What la uo , V :"ro7 "Ul the only man who stood for the future the man who had built up this corps, who was Its Inspiration?" Then after a pause he added, with bitter resolution: "This ends it for me. Here's where 1 get off." "Don't iny that. boy. We need jroo now more than ever." Tin through." Tin dono with Amer icawith the Ststes. 1 shall write my resignation at once. Bend down an other man to take my place." Redfleld's pleadings were of no avail. Cavnnagh went directly from the booth to the postotP.ee, and there, sur rounded by Jeering and exultant citi zens, he penned his resignation and mailed It Then, with stern and con temptuous face, he left tho place, mak ing no repfy to the Jeers of his ene mies, and, mounting his horse, me chanically rode a wny out upon tho plains, seeking the quiet, open places In order to regnln calmness and de cision. He did not deliberately ride away from be Virginia, but as he en tered upon the open country he knew that be was leaving her as he was leaving the forests. He had cut blm self off from her as he had cat blm self off from the work he loved. Ills ram 1 L heart was swollen big within ids breast He longed for the return of "the colo nel" to the White House. "What man ner of ruler Is this who Is ready to strike down the man whOie very nam means conservation and who In a few years would have made this body of forest rangers the most effective corya of its size in the world?" He groaned again, and his throat ached with the fury of his ludignation. "Dismissed for Insubordination," the report said. "In what way? Only in making war on greed. In checking graft, In preserving the heritage of the people." The lash that cut deepest was the open exultation of the very men whose persistent attempt to appropriate pub lic property the chief had helped to thwart. "Redfleld will go next The influence that got the chief wilt get Hugh. He's too good a man to escape. Then, as Sweuson says, , the thieves will roll In upon us to slash and burn and corrupt What a country! What a country!" As he reached the end of this line of despairing thought he came back to the question of tils' remaining personal obligations. Wetherford must be cared for, and then and then there was Vlr ginla waiting for him at this moment "For her sake, to save her from hu miliation, I will help her father to free dom." This brought blm back to the hide ous tragedy of the heights, and with that thought the last shred of faith In the sense of Justice in the state van, Isbed. "They will never discover those mur derers. They will permit this outrage to pass unpunished, like the others. It will be merely another 'dramatic Inci dent' in the history of the range." Ills pony of Its own accord turned and by a circuitous route headed at last for the home canyon as if it kuew Its master's wavering mind. Cava nagh observed what he was doing, but his lax hand did not Intervene. Help less to rii!ili tiie decision himself,, he welcomed the interven'ton of the hom ing Instinct of his horse. With bent head and brooding face he returned to the silence of the trail and the Jmell ne3 of the bills. (To Be Continued.) LOCAL NEWS From Friday's Daily. Miss Henrietta Martin returned from Omaha last evening, whore she lias visited friends for a few days. Mrs. Ilolschuh was a passenger to Omaha on the morning train today, where she visited friends for a time. Mrs. Harris of Omaha arrived this morning and will he u guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Fricke, for a time. Harry Areen of Flmwood came in last evening and visiied over night witli friends, returning home this morning. Clayt Husenerans was u pas senger to the metropolis on Hie morning train today, where he was called on business. Mrs. C.owles, who has lieen spending I wo months in Madison, Wisconsin, and nearby cities, re turned to her home in this city today. Mrs. 0. K. I'arinele returned from Klmwood last evening, w here she had been to visit her brother, I.. A. Tyson nnd family, over the Fourth. Miss Olive Cadwell of Valley was in the city yesterday looking after business matters. Miss Cadwell was formerly a I'eru student. Mrs. Aeorge Belong nmi Mrs. S. A. Belong were passengers to Omaha on the afternoon train to day, where they visited friends for a time. Joe Hadrnba of the firm of Weyrich & Hadraha was slightly indisposed today nnd did not get down to the store until 10 o'clock. Aalo Rhoden went to Omaha this afternoon to accompany Mrs. Rhoden homo from St. Joseph's hospital, where she has been for somo weeks taking treatment i Prof. N. G. Abbott and wife, ac companied by Miss Newbranch, Mrs. Abbott's sister, were Omaha passengers on the morning train .today, where they spent the day witli relatives. Mrs. Judge J. L. Hoot of Lin coln, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Wise, for a few days, departed for her homo this morning. Mr. Joseph Felzer, tho shoo merchant, was called to the me tropolis this afternoon, where business matters demanded his attention. Clifford Moore of Watson, Mis souri, who has been a guest of Councilman Dovey's homo over the Fourth, departed for his homo this morning. Miss Muriel Johnson of Ne braska City arrived last evening nnd was an over-night guest of IJie John I.indemann home, de parting for Olenwood this morn ing, where she will visit friends for a few days. Mrs. L. H. F.genberger and sou, Henry, visited the wholesale houses at Omaha today, going on the morning train. Mrs. Vallery has removed from the property recently sold to he .Masonic home, to tho F. S. White residence on Sixth street. H. A. Miner of Lincoln, who has been visiting friends in Platts- jnouth for a short time, returned to his home this morning. Mrs. Fitch and daughter, Mrs. Hadden, of near Bartlett, Iowa, arrived today and will visit Mike Karnes and family for a time. Mr. J. A. Silence, W. O. W. field man, was an Omaha passenger on the morning train today, where he looked after business matters. Mr. Critchfleld, the United States revenue man, of Omaha, was in tho city today. Mr. Critchfleld is a distant relative to Bird Critchfleld, but which he will not own if Bird is convicted. Mr. Atwood of Lincoln arrived on No. 4 this morning to look af 3er business matters for a few Jiours. Mr. Atwood reported a 'flue rain in Louisville this morn ing, water standing in the street when the train came through. Miss Zeta Ailliland of Fremont, who has been a guest of tho A. B Smith home for a time, departed for her home this morning. Mr. Smith and daughter accompanied their guest to Omaha, going on the early train. Mr. Homer Shrader returned from St. Joseph's hospital at Omaha this afternoon with his wife, Mrs. Shrader having been taking treatment there for som. I i mo. 1 on C. Rhoden, democratic can didate for sheriff, was up from Murray this morning for a few hours on business and was a caller at tho Journal oftiee for a few moments. Mrs. Adelin Harding of Hebron, Mrs. W. S. Cleaver of Lincoln and Mrs. L. M. Hall of South Omaha, finance, committee of tho Degree of Honor, were in the city today looking over the business of the order in the grand recorder's olllce and checking up tho books -of the grand recorder, Mrs. Teresa Hempel. JOLLY EIGHT CARD CLUB ENJOY A DAY'S 0016 Go Out to Swallow Hill, Where They Have a Big Time and Fine Picnic Dinner. From Friday's Pally. The Jolly Fight club chartered a carryall yesterday and about 8 o'clock iu the morning, while it was cool, droveo ut to Swallow Hill for a day's outing. Mr. Andy Kroehler and Jesse Warga acted as properly men, Mr. Kroehler taking out u load of tackle, food supplies, hammocks and swings, and Mr. Warga drove tho carryall and assisted in swinging the hammocks, putt ing up I tie swings, etc. At noon a line picnic dinner was served, the llsh caught by the lailn-s were lined ami a line noonday meal under the shade of the trees was enjoyed by the club. More llsh were caught in the afternoon and the usual sports and games indulged in on such occasions were enjoyed. Those who were thought ful enough to take their bathing suits along en joyed a plunge in tho water. A picnic, supper was spread about (5 p. in., where more llsh were disposed of and stories of the big fish that got away were told. About 7 p. in. the party re turned to the city, getting hack in time to hear the band concert. All in all, it was one of the most en joyable days the club has had this season. Lost. Between Manley and Rock Bluffs, an automobile crank. Finder will receive reward by notifying S. O. Cole, Mynard, Neb. 6-15-3td. Apples. Highest market price paid for apples at tho Wetenkamp build ing, IMaltsmouth, Neb., com mencing July 10th, 1911. J. E. Itundle. CAM, I'OH III IIS. KIiIh will be received up to Noon on Friday, July 14th, A. 1. 1911, at the office of the County Judge of Chhs County. In his olllce at riattamouth, Nehranka, for the cnnntructlon of one concrete culvert to bo located one mile cunt ami one-quarter mile north of Murray; also for one All to he made on Hcrtlun linn one anil nne-half miles section line nne-liulf mile north of I'nlon, Chhh County, Nebraska. Work to he Oonu out of Inheritance Tax fund. l'lans and specification on file In the olllce of the t.'ounty Clerk In f InttKinouth, Nehraska. County CommlHHlonera reserve the rlicht to reject any or all bid. Allen J. lleeiion. County Judge. Plattstnouth, Neb., June 19th, 1911, NOTICE TO CREDITORS. In County Court. State of Nebraska, Cass Coun ty, ss. In the Matter of tho Estate of Henry C. Hardnock, Deceased. Notice is hereby given to the f reditors of said doceased thai hearings will bo had upon claims tiled against said estate, before nie, County Judge of Cass Coun ty, Nebraska, at the County Court room in Plattsniouth, in said County, on tho 15th day of July, 1911, and on the 18th day of January, 1912, at 9 o'clock A. M. each day for examination, adjust ment and allowance. All claims must bo filed in said court on or beforo said last hour of hearing. Witness my hand and seal of said County Court, at Platts niouth, Nebraska, this 19th day of June, 1911. (Seal) Allen J. Boeson, County Judge. STOKES TELLS OF SHOOTING Millionaire Wounde j by Two Girls Testifies at Trial. SAYS THEY DEMANDED MONEY He Refused to Pay and Miss Graham Shot Him hre Wrenched Gun From Her and Miss Conrad Then Fired, Hitting Him In Leg. New York, July 7. There was a dis play of summer flnery that mmle the crowd in the Toiuhs police court for get the hent when Miss Ethel Conrad and MIhh 1,111 Ian Oraluuu appeared for examination on the charge of attempt ing to murder V. 10. 1). Stokes, the millionaire hotel man. In contrast to tho blooming defendants, Mr. Stokes looked pale nnd worn.. Tho girls were accompanied hy Mrs. John Singleton, formerly of I-oh AngcleB, Miss Qra, ham's wealthy sister. Mr. Stokes, a the first witness, narrated the events of June 7, when he was shot. He sat Miss Conrad called hlra on the tele phone and told him Miss Graham had gone to Europe and asked him to call and get letters Miss Graham had left for him. Miss Conrad "smiled sweet ly" when she received him at he apartment, and left him alone a mo ment, saying she would go for the let ters. When she returned, said Stokes, she holted the door behind her and approached with her hands behind her hack. "At the name time through the door Into the hnll I saw Miss Graham creep ing toward inn with a revolver leveled at me. Stepping in front of me, she said; 'Now I linve got you.'" lhn, continued Stokes, Miss Gra ham told him he must pay her for "doing her great moral damage, de faming her mother and sinter." They told him. he said, thnt unless he com plied with their demands they would kill him nnd "would have no difficulty getting rid of his body." "It's death or $25,000," said Miss Graham, according to the witness. "I told them," said Stokea, "that It It were a rare of death or one cent Id choose death. The Graham girl raid to ni, 'You will, will you?' and began firing." Stokes wrested the revolver from Mi ha Graham after he had received two wounds. Then he said the girl called: "Ethel, you agreed If I didn't l.lll him you would." Then Stokes heard another shot nd n bullet lilt him In the leg. WAR ON GRASSHOPPERS Western Kansas Aroused by Ravagee of the Insects. ToneU, July 7. A war on grasshop- pers has boon started In western Kan sas. The ravages of the Insects, especial ly In the nlfalfn fields, have caused the Santa Fe railroad to Inaugurate a cam- paign of extermination along Its line. II. O. Matsh of tho government hn renu of entomology Is conducting the extermination work among the farm ers and Is helping the railroad. A noU son composed of bran, white arseulQ. salt and molasses Is being spread over all the gram and other vegetation along the rl?ht (f way. The grasshop pers are said to eat the preparation reudlly and It causes death In a tw inlnut.es. One Scott county ranchman has bought 3'ifl turkeys to war on the griiBHhoppcrs. Hlgglns Re'ues to Play In Des Moines Oiiinba, .Tuly 7 John Higslns has made Omnhn hendqunrters for the Des Moines ball tam. Hereafter all the Des Moines pnines will be played la Omu'ia. nr.Ws the citizens of Des Moines give a guaranty thnt a certain amount wll. J-'-iZ". him. Fop Sale, I havo a half section, 320 acres, in Randborn county, South Da kota, one quarter fenced, artesian, well flowing through it, that I will sell at a reasonable price. Term to suit the purchaser. Address, A. W. Smith, Platlsmouth, Neb. fJ-22-lmw