Richmond Hill Public Library News Index

The Liberal, 26 Oct 1933, p. 6

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She entered the adobe and stood for several minutes just inside the door, her hand on the crib against the wall. She trembled so that she could hardly srtand. After a time, she stepped be- yond to the bed beneath the window and seated herself, chin on palm, her eyes on the strip of far horizon seen through the doorway. Her face was White and the four fingers of the hand beneath her chin were pressed in a row against her lips. The sun had set; long shadows raced into the val- ley. Near the grindstone by the kitchen door David’s small faCe de- terminedly explained something to Sugarfoot. With her eyes still on the skyline, she went to the doorway. Part of that great expanse of land belonged to her. The rolling pasture lands to the east might extend for- ever, for any sign of boundary. Be-j hind her, she knew, the ranch ex-‘ tended to the monflain topsâ€"acres and acres, grass, trees, canons, hills. . . Old Charley had- spoken as though the Dead Lantern was a wonderful ranchâ€"feed enough for two thousand SYNOPSIS: Ruth Warren, who lived in the East is willed threeâ€"fourth in- terest in the “Dead Lantern” ranch in Arizona by her only brother who is' reported to have met his death while on business in Mexico. Arriving in Arizona with her husband who has ailing lungs and their small child, they learn that the ranch is located 85 miles from the nearest railroad. 01d Charley Thane, rancher and rural mail carrier agrees to take them to the “Dead Lantern” gate, 5 miles from the ranch house. As they trudge wearin through a gulch approaching the ranch house, a voice whispers “Go back! . . . Go back!” At the ranch house they are greeted suspiciously by the gaunt rancher partner, Snave- ly, and Indian Ann, a herculean wom- an of mixed negro and indian blood. Snavely is difficult to understand but regardless, Ruth takes up the task of trying to adjust their three lives to the ranch and its development. Ken- neth, Ruth’s husband, caught in chill- ing rain contracts pneumonia and passes away before a doctor arrives. Ruth tries to carry on. Ruth had backed to the door. As Suaver ceased. speaking, he slowly settled into his chair; slowly the fin- gers of his right hand began to rub his forehead. 74 Yonge St. “I’ll take the money,” breathed Ruth, and ran out of the room. CHIMNEYS BUILT & REPAIRED EAVESTROUGHING FURNACES NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY Implements The well known Samuel Trees Brand Sets from $25 up Cockshutt Frost & Wood Harness FARM AGENT FOR THE FAMOUS DeLAVAL CREAM SEPARATOR and Harness Parts R. H. KANE EIGHTH IN STALMENT at new low levels PHONE 210 RICHMOND HILL. PAGE SIX RICHMOND HILL Roofing ,. NEAL Phone 92F She paused and tried to smile. “Thank you, I shall remember. But 'first I’m going- to see what can be done with capitalâ€"I’m writing East this morning.” “What if you don’t git it?” “Wellâ€"perhaps then we can make some other arrangement. Mr. Suave- lyâ€"if I am successfulâ€"I wonderâ€" would you sell me your quarter inâ€" terest? I’d like to know the value lyou set on itâ€"” Suppose she fought down her pride. Ruth could imagine how her stepmother would smile over such a. letter. Pride. . . . Ruth had always been proud; how high she had held her head that day she had left home to go to Kenneth. No, she could not beg to be taken back, but perhaps she could write a business letter to her father. “I'm sorry, but I’ve changed my mind”â€"â€"Ruth chilled as she spokeâ€" “I don’t want to go back on my word â€"I can’t help it. The money you offered me wouldn’t be enough. I must have a steady incomeâ€"some- thing I can depend on for years. Don’t you see? I’ve just got to stay here and make this: ranch pay. I’m writing East for capital. Iâ€"if you’d help, I'm sureâ€"” She paused, then straightened and said clearly, “Mr. Snavely, this is all I have; it’s1 all my son can ever have from me or his father. I’ve got to make it a big ranch. I’m going to stay!” headâ€"forty thousand dollars a-year. But suppose he was wrong, suppose even, that the ranch could be made to earn only a quarter” of thatâ€"the very amount she had just agreed to take for her entire interest. What would she and David do when that money was gone? Then David would have to go to work, His inheritance could have been a fine cattle ranch, a wholesome life out of doors, a good education, and a reasonable number of opportunities. afterward. For a long time Ruth stood in the doorway, her eyes following David as he played with Sugarfoot. Yes, she would write the letter; what was pride compared with that pudgy- cheeked little being? But, oh, that terrible man in the ranch house! Where was the strength to fight her fear? “I’m sorry, but I've changed my mind."â€"â€"Ruth chilled as she spoke. Snavely did not move, nor did he make a sound; with pale eyes con- tracted to SIRS, he looked at the girl for a. moment, then his head with- drew and' the door closed softly. As she was leaving the room, Snavely looked up. “Any time you get enough of this here place an’ want to take me up on that deal, jest say so.” Ann left the ranch house on the path which led to the barn. The giantess eyed Ruth curiously. The huge woman paused. “Mr. Snavely says to git out the buck- boardâ€"I’m goin’ to take you-all over to Thane's place so’s you kin go in with him to-morrow.” Breakfast the next morning was a silent affair. Snavely seemed wholly absorbed with his food, but there was a tenseness about his every move- ment. 7 “Hello, Ann.” Ruth smiled unde- cidedly. Ruth ut out her hand as though begging for time. The hand trembled Slowly she stood up. “N-no, Arm.” The girl walked swiftly past her and entered the living room. “Mr. Snaveâ€" 1y,” she called. The door of Snavely’s bedroom opened at once and he looked out. Snavely took three slow steps to the girl’s side. “I told you yester; day,” he said tensely, “that I didn’t want no money." Again the girl forced herself to smile. “All right; the ranch will need you bad'ly, of course. If we do obtain capital, it will have to be spent by some one who understands What improvements should be made.” The man nodded, then said easily, “You goin’ down to the box? I’ll be ridin’ that wayâ€"I can take your letâ€" ter for you. To-day’s the day the mail gOes in." “Thank youâ€"but I haven’t had a ride for weeks. I think David and I will go." “You wont get; there in timeâ€"with the boy. Thane’ll be goin’ past in- side of an hour. Better let me have it.” Ruth hesitated. “Thank you,” she smiled, “perhaps it would be best for you to take itâ€"â€"if it isn’t out of your way. I’ll get the letter. But please catch my horse for me; I think I‘ll take a ride anyway." ‘ She hurried to the adobe, Snavely following. Her letter lay upon the table. For a. moment she regarded it thoughtfully, but she picked it up and going to the door gave it to Snavely with another word of thanks. For three consecutive Saturdays Ruth and her son were waiting at the mail box when Old Charley ar- rived. She was by this time expectâ€" ing an answer to her letter. And though no letter came, Old Charley always managed to have a magazine or two, which, together with the news paper for which Ruth had subscribed, made a welcome little bundle. The old man also saw that she received a small weekly devoted to Arizona cat- tle raisers. Valley and he loved to “talk ranchin.” Ruth progressed rapidly in her edu- cation from the aimless asking of questions to the brisk formation of plans. The talk often turned upon the building up of herds and ranch improvement. Old Charley seemed to know by instinct just what Ruth wanted to learn most. She learned that it is often possible to do much without capital; that one may even Ten minutes after he had ridden along the southern bank of the gulch, Ruth mounted her horse and followed. Tucked in her blouse was another letter to the Dempster Greys. This letter, which she had just written, was a duplicate of the one she had given Snavely. But the most important part of these weekly meetings was the hour or so of conversation with the old man. For sixty years he had raised cattle in this part of the San Jorge Valley and he loved to “talk ranchin.” Ruth progressed rapidly in her edu- She determined to wait for Old Charley. She waited nervously, for she was worrying about David. She had never left him before. . . . She believed Arm would watch him care- fully; but supose she didn’t? David could slip out of sight so easily. He might step on a snake; he might wonder What the fence around the old well concealed and find a way to crawl over. She left David with Ann. She hoped she wouldn’t meet Snavely but, if so, she could say that she had forâ€" gotten something in the first letter. Perhaps he would take her letter to the mail box; but he had seemed too eager. . . . She knew that he would rather not secure capital for the Ranch. Ruth tortured herself with such thoughts for half an hour more. Finally, after a long look around, she put the letter in the box, carefully placed the can on top as a signal to Old Charley to pick up the mail, and started back. Shortly after, Old Charley drove past, glancing- at the bare top of the mail box. When he was quite gone Snavely rode leisurely out of the gully. Ruth saw no sign of Snavely. Nor, when she reached the box, had Snavel~y been before herâ€"there was nothing in the box but the tin can. Five minutes after she had disap- peared Snavely rode out of the ravine three hundred yards north of the ranch road and galloped toward the mail box. He had just reached a brush~bordered gully, still some dis- tance from the box, when O‘ld Char- ley's car swooped over a hill on the main road and disappeared at the bottom. The car would be at the box very soon. Snavely brought his horse to a. slid- ing stop, forced it into the gully and dismounted. A forty-five barked from the gully and a splinter flew from the top of the mail box. At the next shot the can fell to the ground. THE LIBERAL, RICHMOND HILL. ONTARIO 5y seemed A man decided he and his son would what Ruth take a drive in their new car. as they 1e learned entered the car, the father said to the do much boy: “Now if you see a motorcycle may even cop coming behind us, you tell. Poppa" increase the quality and number of one’s cattle without spending huge sums or becoming too artistic With a branding iron. Old Charley praised the “fine feed along the foothills there” with a gesture which included the whole Dead Lantern ranch. These talks with the old man gave the girl new courage; she understood something of what she had to do; she saw her problem clearly. Old Char- ley had given her weapons with which to fight her battle; she was no longer quite so helpless. She had avoided Snavely and had not yet given him a hint of what she was learning. Later, she told her- self, she would have suggestions to make; now she waited for the capital which did not come. On the fifth Saturday since she had placed her letter in the box, Ruth and David were again waiting for Old Charley. The eyes of both mother and son were anxiously focused far to the northeast, where a strip of brown road stood out on a small dun-colored hill. For Ruth, this was the last day of grace; a letter could have traveled twice to Philadelphia and back since that morning at the mail box. It was a great day for Davidâ€"had he not ridden the entire distance on a spirited horse of his own, old San- chez? And he had a new pair of chaps which his mother had made from the brown canvas of an old army cot. And last week mother had ordered some things which Uncle Charley was to get in town. The most important of these things was a small cowboy hat. Ten minutes after the car came over the hill, it appeared again a hundred yards down the road and the horn gave its customary wheeze of salumtion. A forty-five barked from the gully and a splinter flew from the top of the mail box. Prepar-Q‘your lawns and gar- dens for good showing in Spring Fertilizers now at reduced prices Ruth saw that Old Charley had a passengerâ€"it must be his son, Will; she remembered that he was expected this week. A single glance told her that Will Thane was the first civil- ized person she had seen since leavâ€" ing the East. It seemed years since she had seen\a man in a tailored bus- iness suit, white shirt, an actual col- lar and tie. As they were introduced, she saw that he smiled exactly like his father. The young man seemed a silent, observant sortâ€"not so very young eitherâ€"she put him down as being on the other side of thirty. “Nothing- but the papers. But I got all the stuff you wanted.” He smiled, beginning to take packages from the machine. One of these, a roundish box of cardboard, he gave to DAvid. After one look inside, Dav- id carried the box reverently to a. rock some distance away. There he seated himself, wrapped in a rosy nimbus of bliss, the hat covering- his small knees. It even had a horsehair band! 139 MILL “Any mail forâ€"the Dead Lan- tern?” she asked Old Charley in a casual tone. FLOUR BRAN SHORTS Poultry feed always in stock. 39 Phones 82W (Continued Next Week) RICHMOND HILL WE DELIVER THE Conversation with those engaged in the great Agricultural industry inâ€" evitably drifts to the low prices re- ceived for farm products and the ex- treme economic difficulty of making things go on the farm under present conditions. The lot of the farmer to- day is mt an easy one and the far- mer is hopefully looking- forward to the day when he will get some relief fiom the crushing- burden of tax- ation and a better market for his products. Agriculture, including StOCK rais- ing and horticulutre, is the chief single industry of the Canadian peoâ€" ple, employing {at least census in 1931) 28.7 per cent of the total gain- fully occupied population and 33.9 per cent, or over one-third of the gainfully occupied males. In addi- tion it provides the raw material for many Canadian manufacturers, and its products in raw or manufactured form constitute a Very large percent- age of Canadian exports. NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE BUSY FARMER The average wages paid to farm helpers in Canada for the year 1932 again showed a considerable de- crease as compared with the previous- year. The cost of farm labour reach- ed its highest point in 1920. In the next two years there was a rapid drop so that the average of yearly wages, including board for male help, in 1922 was nearly 28 per cent less than in 1920. From 1923 to 1920 no very wide fluctuation occurred. In 1930, 1931 and 1932 continuous mark- ed reductions were registered in the average value of yearly wages and board, following- the dowuward trend of the prices of farm produce. Where or when com was first cul- tivated, or from what wild plant it developed, is not definitely known. It is generally assumed that its cul- tivation started in Central America and spread North and South. It has never been found wild. The Incas of Peru are said to have built large staterooms for it to prevent famine in case of crop failure. It was grown as far North as the St. Lawrence Valley when the first explore-rs ar- rived there. When Columbus landed! in the West Indies he was presented with a kind of bread made from a grain the natives called “Mahiz.” From this word is derived the Eng- lish word maize, under which name the plant is known in Europe. Potato Yield The preliminary estimate of the total yield of potatoes in Canada this year is 40,260,000 cwt. from 520,800 acres, or 77 cwt. per acre as compared with 76 cwt. per acre in 1932 and 83 cwt. per acre, the average for» the five years 1927-1931. Pntario’s yield is the lowest since 1916, being only 52 cwt. per acre as compared with 61 cwt. per acre last year. This was largely due to the drought which prevailed during the summer months, particularly in Southern and Western Ontario. International Plowing Match The International Plowing Match staged in Derby Township, Grey County, near the City of Owen Sound, was successful from every standpoint, according- to the Manag- ing-Director, J. Lockie Wilson. Thous ands of interested spectators attended from all parts of the Province. Five hundred and five contestants entered the various classes. The Interâ€"Counâ€" ty Competition attracted special at- tention, Halton County carrying off the Farm Trophy for the Team prize. The majority of important manu-a facturers of farm implements dem- onstrated modern equipment. The Horse Show open to plow teams was very keen, and thirty-five teams turned out for twenty-four cash awards. Repairs for all makes of Stoves H. P. Trowell, Hardware The Local Committee and Citizens of surrounding counties stood behind the Ontario Plowmven’s Association and this proved a big- factor in mak- ing the 1933 International Plowing HARDWARE (SUCCESSOR TO C. N. COOPER) We Give Prompt Delivery I We carry a complete line of STOVES, pipes, elbows, etc. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26th, 1933 Match the best in the history of the organization. Nursery Stock Fakirs “Be on guard against Nursery Stock Fakirs,” warns J. A. Carroll, Superintendent of Horticultural So- cieties. “One community recently parted with several hundred dollars as advance on nursery stock to bu delivered next spring. It has now been learned that the firm suppOSed'ly represented does not exist.” “Them are many reliable firms in Ontario," states Mr. Carroll, “and no one should purchase from a stranger Without being sure of his credentials” Bacon Production Feeds In the following feed mixtures recommended for bacon production the essential swine feeds are comâ€" bined in suitable proportions:â€" Weaning pig mixtureâ€"ground bar- ley, 100 pounds; ground oats, 200‘; shorts, 50; middlings, 100; bran, 50; bone meal, 10; salt, 5; skimâ€"milk or buttermilk. 3 pounds to each pound of meal. If no milk, replace with 50 pounds of tankage. Growing pig mixtureâ€"ground barley, 150 pounds; ground oats, 200; shorts, 100; mid- dlings, 50; bone meal, 10; salt, 5; skim-milk or buttermilk, 2 pounds to each pound of meal. If no milk, re~ place with 35 pounds of tankage. Finishing mixtureâ€"â€"ground barley. 250 pounds; ground oats, 150; shorts, 100; bone meal, 10; salt, 5; skim- milk or buttermilk, 1% pounds to each pound of meal. If no milk, re- place with 25 pounds of tankage. Weekly Crop Report Yield of potatoes in Peel County is reported about 50 to 60% of nor- mal year, with prices at farms run- ning from 65c. to 95c. per bag. 0110 farmer in Huron County reports buckwheat yielding 20 to 30 bushels per acre on a 40-acre tract. The vegetable supply in Brant, as well as in numerous other countries, is low. Many corn cribs in Lambton have from 500 to 1,500 bushels of corn.- this fall, the first in six to ten years. The new cold storage plant at Forest: will not meet the storage require- ments of members of the Apply Growers’ Association. Incidentally one of the largest apple crops in On- tario’s history is being harvested». The hog population in Glengarry is down about 50%. Dealers are offer- ing 44c. a bushel for buckwheat in that county. Roots hafe made excel- lent growth throughout the fall seaâ€" son in Lennox and Addington. Livep stock in Temiskaming will go into Winter quarters in good condition as a result of the improvement in pas- tures during the past month. The same holds true in the Thunder Bay area. Horseshoe Pitching Contests The annual horseshoe pitching championships for the Canadian title: will be held at the Royal Winter Fair on the last four days of the Fair, November 27 to 30 inclusive. Cham- pionships are open in singles and doubles. Four prizes are offered in each sub-division, making 24 cash prizes in all. By a; series of elimi- nation, players will he stepped ac- cording to their score into Classes A, B and C in singles and doubles. Class B Will be open to non-prize Winners in Class A, Class C to those not successful in either A or B. R. R. No. l â€"â€" Richmond Hill Chimneys Built and Repaired PLASTERING Phone 46 1-14 General Repairs P. FARR, Phone 93

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