Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-03-07
A LOG CONTEST.
Sketch from Life in the Michigan
Lumber Region.

Crosscut was a river town, with all
that the name implies. Log-runners
and millionaires mingled on an equal
footing. There was no caste in Cross
cut. May the best man win. was the
motto of her citizens. and genuine
love of fair play dominated the hearts
of those rude knights of the border.
1t was spring-time. The log-drive
had passed Crosscut. The rough crowd
of river men was gone, and the old
time quiet reigned again in the town.
However. a log-rolling contest was at
hand, and the people from the sur
rounding settlements began to gather
ut an early hour.
Crosscut's champion was Casper
Fall. He was young, an athlete of the
woods, and the pride not only of the
graybeards of the town, but of the
younger men and the maids as well.
"You must win. Casper" said Jake.
the athletes half-witted brother. If
you don't -"
"Well, if l don't?" queried Casper.
as the simple fellow hesitated.
Il was going to say, if you don't,
you'll never git Nell Given. She'll
marry the champions; 1 herd her say
So"
You did," exclaimed the young log
runner Il didn't think Nell would
so back on fellow that way. think
few brains, as well as Drawn, ought
to weigh something in girls eyes"
Casper walked away, flushed and dis
turbed. He knew he had no claim on
the belle of Crosscut. She was old
Colonel Given's daughter, and he was
the wealthiest man in town, while Cas-
per hadn't any thing save good COM
mon sense, strong arms. and an ener-
getic nature. He might never have
met Nell but for the fact that they had
attended the same school, and as chill
dren, boy and girl were enthusiastic
friends. I'm be your wife sometime"
said roguish Nell, when they were
roaming the woods on the return from
the old log school-house one summer
afternoon, and the freckled-faced boy
kissed her, and thus was the compact
sealed. AS they grew older. the two
drifted apart. naturally enough, and
when the old Colonel sent his daughter
to Chicago to young ladies' school,
the breach widened immensely. To say
that Casper had given her up. howev-
er, would be stating that which was not
true. He met her sometimes after
her return. She was an accomplished
young lady now. and he felt keenly his
own awkwardness and want of polish.
Until the morning for the log contest
Crosscuts champion did not know who
was to be his contestant A gentleman
from Chicago had proclaimed in the
Coloners store that he had a man who
could beat the world on a log, and
Colonel Green took exceptions to the
statement, at the same time declaring
that he would back a man to the extent
of ten thousand dollars.
The Chicago gentleman, who was
sweet on the Coioners daughter, good
EttuSSQ Suc OCts Oubv AuStSSiO,
offered to say no more about q certain
debt the Colonel had contracted with
him (Mr. Colton) if his man (the Col
ners) won the contest
If my man wins hold you to the
debt, Colonel. and. lowering his voice,
'.you are to speak q good word for me
with Miss Nell"
To this the Colonel agreed. and
day was set for the log-rolling contest
In passing the house of Colonel Given
on the evening before the day set for
the struggle, Casper Fall saw Mr.. Col
not and Nell on the porch in earnest
conversation. This was not pleasant
sight to the young man. and the added
words of half-witted Jake served to
render Casper miserable. =
':Nell is only playing wi1ksny ~
tngs," he. thought ..She means 20
marry the Chicago man anyhow. and
merely brings in my name for > heart
lso joke. Well. I'll win the contest