Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-01-26

with a call from Mr.. b., q lively,
warm hearted preacher Of the
Methodist persuasion who was go
ing about seeking whom he might
awaken. Upon learning the cause
Of A. RS anxiety, he concluded to
take up quarters with as for the
night and assist A. X. in his ardu-
Gus task.
However through the assistance
of our reverend friend and A. RS.
''lazy bell" / succeeded in filling a
place at the breakfast table, to the
utter establishment of the cook,
who pronounced me worthy of q
leather medal. At length after
leaving instructions with the cook
10 bake an additional pot of beans
on my account, we all, ten in num-
Der, set out for the woods, and in
no great time A. X. and l might
have been seen chipping asunder
a hugh pine tree still standing,
while the rest of the crew were
busily engaged in looping the
branches of the fallen, saving,
swapping and hauling.
With all the energy and strength
could muster, awkwardly hacked
and pecked away, receiving now
and then a considerate word of en-
enlargement from A. r., who was
making chips fly in all directions.
10 a few minutes the gigantic pine
fell crownless at our feet, but none
too soon for me, for my axe seemed
to increase in weight while l was
beginning to perspire very freely.
Feeling somewhat exhausted / sat
down on the trunk of the fallen
tree while A. r. was looking up
another.
While sitting there, ! saw some
of the crew laughing and / knew
they were making fun of me, which
seems to be a custom with woods
men if they can find a person as
green as the grass to laugh at.
Nevertheless | was determined to
work and if l failed at chopping l
would try saving. Throwing my
AK aside and divesting myself of
coat and gloves | resolved to try
my hand at saving. The man
whom I assisted proved to be
very honorable fellow and favored
me with every possible advantage.
Although | had not sawed any
since mere lad, / succeeded in
guiding the two handled saw very
satisfactorily.
About IL a. m, l began to grow
very hungry and in fact very tired,
and would fain have given up
would it not have Afforded the crew
another opportunity to laugh at
me. 1t is needless to observe that
my chum sympathized with me,
and several times prevailed upon
me TO repair TO the camp to APP
pease my appetite and rest my
weary limbs. Notwithstanding my
physical exhaustion / continued to
tug and pull at the old saw, at the
same time anxiously listening to
hear A. r. give the dinner signal.
Very soon we received orders to
cease work and prepare for dinner,
which was very welcome news for
me, l assure you.
The meal consisting mostly of
beans and pork was served up in
the most rustic manner, but was
devoured with the keenest relish,
especially by myself. Dinner be-
ing over, we again resumed our
work and succeeded fairly in
humbling the proud princes Of the
forests, during the remainder of the
day. AS the approach Of evening
grew perceptible, A. r. gave the
signal to cease from labor, and we
all left our various stations for the
old farmhouse, where we found
the cook in waiting with table
loaded with Injuries that might
have made the face of an epicure
glow with good humour. Feeling
fatigued and Disguised with my |
first lesson in logging, retired at
very early hour to dream about
two-handled saws and pine trees.
Yours,
s. S. M.