Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/119

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Garden patch in the heart of the forest, showing the agricultural possibilities of the timber land of Oregon after clearing. This photograph was taken on a homestead claim near the Sanitam River, in Linn County

"All about the sensational capture of Mrs. Watson!"

"Here's your latest about the woman millionaire in jail!"

"Full particulars of the capture of the land fraud queen!"

And so on, until, sick at heart and bewildered in mind, I re-entered the car and took my seat, after vainly endeavoring to purchase a paper. "Sold out!" was the answer that greeted me on every hand, and for once I was left.

Oh, well, thought I, "sour grapes," and for the moment I did not care to read. Then came the reaction, and appreciating the seriousness of the situation I was determined to learn the truth.

"That paper, son!" I exclaimed to a young man sitting directly in front of me, and suiting the action to the word, I grabbed it from his hands.

"But it's mine!" was his alarmed rejoinder, as he tugged at it with jealous instincts.

"It don't make any difference," was my frantic answer. "I must have it!" and tossing him a coin as a balm to his injured feelings, I continued more soothingly, "there's your money back—just keep the change"—and I had my way.

Talk about headlines! Whoever made them up for this paper was certainly a past master in the art. They were the most glaring I ever beheld, and the combination of different colored inks reminded me of the varied hues of a rainbow. And then the body of the article! Why, it would have done credit to one of "Nick Carter's" most bloodthirsty tales!

Mrs. Watson was described as a woman of wonderous beauty and captivating manner, who had surrounded herself with a desperate gang of borderPage 113