Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-09-12
THE BUTT OF THE CAMP.
xss FRANCIS BLAKE ROWLAND.

AazwShsr crews generally select one of
adassis Number as mark for their shafts
OF rldseule, hence Tom Lawton was the
bust ea Andersons camp.
Ne was long-legged, lank-sided
ysausit of eighteen or nineteen, with a
sa7'anazsh that was surprising in one of
s,as physique, and, while he could easily
sssssese whipped any two of the crew, he
sfare ahelr rough jokes in silence, with
r1ua sasne sickly smile upon his colorless
a,asxs
Ills hair was of neutral tint. which
nsagRs have been dignifed as tow color,
had II nsot faded so much from its origi-
z&zl hsHs as to resemble more the un-
braided strands of well-worn rope,
ssad MS eyes were blue, and equally
fssa1es7
'Fhs crew claimed him as their legiti-
rraate. orey from the moment he entered
sasss grounds, one noon when they were
sssting their lunch.
f3hl Nelson espied him first, coming.
slowly up the tote road, with his scanty
wardrobe packed in bag, and slung
tavex one shoulder.
That's him, boys!" cried Bill.
3ffsrell be more fun in these parts
ssaozs shan you ever see afore."
Blis MAS the bully" of the camp, and
VIC Knew that he alone would make the
nkw Corners life miserable.
Heslo! Where ye going?r he shouted.
as tue boy came nearer, and was about
sa pass without speaking.
Ta camp" and he still trudged on.
Halt, there!" was Bili's command.
We don't allow no one to pass us
'6haus being :enitiated'"
"Maat!"
Wse initiate folks afore we allow
elm tn hire in this crew. Air you ready ?"
EaN ssInlsed at the rest Of the crew, and
nodded towards thick limbed spruce.
which stood in comparatively clear
spot
Xss. I'm ready" The boylthrew his
bag beside the road and faced Bill.
What's your name?"
Fana Lawton."
Where'd you come from?"
From home"
sho! Smart. amt you? Where's
your home?"
Blown river"
How far?"
Ten miles,"
Going to stay here long-provided
Ssoa get a job?"
All winter"
Going TO drive in the spring?"
Yes
We'll, as you are to be one of us so
9stas. we must see if you are a brave
nGare- We don't have no towards here.
we don't. Was you ever chopped
tlowsa2"
Ma. sir, can heart tree soon's any
traaa here, answered Tom, with more
spirit shan he had shown.
ta, ma, ha--no more, you have
eseefas Well, youngster, we'll 'enitiate'
yaa- Dye see that spruce? Yes, we'll
shin up it.
fofz, turned leisurely. and obeyed in
silence, looking down from his lofty
pe.ch IN cool way that exasperated
BlIs @ho cried:
Now, Jim Wilson, you just take
your AK, and see if you can heart that
tree. afore l can"
Tise two men took their stations, one
can each side of the spruce, and the
chips began to fly thick and fast, while
Ionn took a firm hold of the tree trunk,
and waited, with the same Indifferent
smssfs upon his face, that always marked
ut afterwards.
He don't act afeared, Bill" cried
ssohn Pratt. tauntingly Il guess you've
g"t the wrong pig by the ear this time.
Better let up on him, the boss'll come
zlietges you know it."
A1it had no idea of losing his cruel
sport. and sank his ak deeper and
dagger into, the yielding wood, until
soon the great tree trembled, swayed
and fell to the earth with crashing of
linlk's, burying its living freight deep
IN q snowbank.
Fam dug his way out. wiped the snow
tHon his face as coolly as if being