f the mineral water, then
interrupting Lyman, who was about to speak to Presley, drawing him into
the conversation through politeness, said: "Matters are just romping
right along to a crisis these days. It's a make or break for the wheat
growers of the State now, no mistake. Here are the land cases and the
new grain tariff drawing to a head at about the same time. If we win our
land cases, there's your new freight rates to be applied, and then all
is beer and skittles. Won't the San Joaquin go wild if we pull it off,
and I believe we will."

"How we wheat growers are exploited and trapped and deceived at
every turn," observed Magnus sadly. "The courts, the capitalists, the
railroads, each of them in turn hoodwinks us into some new and wonderful
scheme, only to betray us in the end. Well," he added, turning to Lyman,
"one thing at least we can depend on. We will cut their grain rates for
them, eh, Lyman?"

Lyman crossed his legs and settled himself in his office chair.

"I have wanted to have a talk with you about that, sir," he said. "Yes,
we will cut the rates--an average 10 per cent. cut throughout the
State, as we are pledged. But I am going to warn you, Governor, and you,
Harran; don't expect too much at first. The man who, even after twenty
years' training in the operation of railroads, can draw an equitable,
smoothly working schedule of freight rates between shipping point and
common point, is capable of governing the United States. What with main
lines, and leased lines, and points of transfer, and the laws governing
common carriers, and the rulings of the Inter-State Commerce Commission,
the whole matter has become so confused that Vanderbilt himself couldn't
straighten it out. And how can it be expected that railroad commissions
who are chosen--well, let's be frank--as ours was, for instance, from
out a number of men who don't know the difference between a switching
charge and a differential rate, are going to regulate the whole business
in six months' time? Cut rates; yes, any fool can do that; any fool can
write one dollar instead of two, but if you cut too low by a fraction of
one per cent. and if the railroad can get out an injunction, tie you
up and show that your new rate prevents the road being operated at a
profit, how are you any better off?"

"Your conscientiousness does you credit, Lyman," said the Governor. "I
respect you for it, my son. I know you will be fair to the railroad.
That is all we wa