New-York tribune., 1895-12-22
ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
WHAT HAPPENED IN A LUMBER CAMP.

and n,ur, nuddInp and though we had no mis-
tletoe. we did not miss 1t. for there were no
pretty lips to kiss within many miles OF the iu''''
Der camp where / arrived one Christmas e'e'
The firm who owned the contract were ousi"e''
friend of my father, and had introduceo "'e'
on the previous day. to Denis Brown their ne"iS
admitted Junior partner. He was 10 De my "o''
during my visit which I had planned TOT '"e
nurnose ~ gathering materials for an article on
the numbering interests OF the Northwest
had been described to me taciturn feiiow'
hr, found hin, a g,od talker on the subject
which most interested me just them and "n'ch
he thoroughly understood, he had won MS
own vav from the rank and file OF lumDermeh
to his present position.
The work OF the gang he about TO inspect
had been impeded by lack Of snow WHICH ie'i
dered TRANSFORMATION Of heavy weights iHposS'-
ble-a lack which also delayed our Journey
through the pine woods or sledge WHICH was
well loaded besides with Christmas parces'
whose arrival had been eagerly anticipated
We reached the camp as the various detach-
ments were returning at the close Oh the u"s'
and we were greeted with hurrrahs that hiaoe
the heavy brooding atmosphere hilarious' "ien
watkins the foreman, announced tnat the DUES
would distribute the home packages after sup
per We shared the cabin Of Watkins, VINO
] a
his meal with the celerty which seemed to char-
acterize all his achievements. Then, stretching
his long legs toward the fire. ne began to COM
mare the ..pay roll" Watkins gave him with a
hitherto unread list Of those for whom parcels
had been consigned to him. yet fingered over
a second cup OF coffee, when an exclamation
drew my attention 10 him.
..Wbo engaged this fellow" he asked. in so
hoarse and rough tone that watkins slareu
as dumbly as l for Gn instant before ne steppeu
to Browns side and glanced at a name which
was pointed out TO him.
81 hired the hands" he said. Victor Fouche?
He is a irst-rate workman
! "IIe shall not work for me-" Brown declared
harshy.
why? His mates like him, and will want
reason II he goes"
Brown rose His face was white and suiieh
as the hrelight flashed upon it,
"He Is a cheat and a liar" he growled Ihat
is my charge but you needn't expect me to Item
ize IT, NV word must be law in this camp.
You were lumbernan long enough 10 Kho"
that boss who keeps dark on what seems like
| tyranny isn't popular.
| .I boss according to my judgment and don
care a d for popularity-or advice.
with which Brown walked to the door
! cabin" he added as he left the room. I'll meet
! the gang there directly.
"a hoss isn't a bully and Denis Brown will
have the difference taught him pretty sharply II
he isn't wise enough to learn 1t for himself
! Watkins muttered suky. "Will you step over
m the big cabin Mr. Stuart? These chaps are
as Jolly as kids with their Christmas gifts?
We passed between a double row Of the small
abins where the men slept, and entered one
which was much larger. Thirty or more tall
fellows were eagerly watching for the parcels
that Watkins and the driver Of our sledge pres
emily brought in and deposited on the recently
cleared supper table. This required several ex-
petitions and Brown appeared with the last re-
Law The grimness OF his countenance was un-
relaxed. and I expected to hear Victor Fouche s
sentence Of exile pronounced at orce.
was mistaken.
With a pay list in his hand. he read aloud
! each checked name he came 10 it, and turn
ing over the packages until he found that wnich
was thus addressed he delivered it to the owner.
! On many of the weatherrOughened faces OF the
lurnbermen as they approached were smiles that
softened them almost pathetically. While the
bold eyes seemed half jocularly, half shyly to
demand sympathy. But they obtained none
Even-handed justice was probably Brown S
ploved Perhaps. like most who owe their ad-
vancement to their own energy. he believed that
| Familiarity would compromise his dignity. Lit
tie spurts of mirth or of uncouth tenderness
| broke forth over the opening Of the homo gifts
! as the men returned to groups Of intmates from
which they had been summoned. Only around
Brown business ceerty and formality were
maintained
At length however. as ] watched him, his
glance leaped, with a d.rectness which proved
that he knew where to seek the object Of his
wrath TO slenderly built fellow. who leaned
against the end of the chimney opposite me-
"Victor Fouche"' Brown exclaimed.
NV vis-a-v:s lifted his head. His French Ca
madam parentage was written in his dark eyes,
his alert movements. his unrepressed emotion
He sprang forward he met Browns gaze and
paling visibly, flung out both hands WITH
gesture of appeal Yet. though this might seem
the manner Of guilt he did not look guilty.
'Victor Foucher Brown repeated. in voice
bitterly cold as the sleet which had newly be-
gun to rattle against the windows. This pack
age is addressed to your name That l should
find YOU among the men who receive pay from
mo lowers even my opinion of YOU Take this
and begone."
During a moment silence eclpsed the CHEEKY
chatter which had filled the room, while in the
| midst of thirty pair of curious eyes those two
stared at each other Fouche humbly implor-
ing what Brown dunlby refused. Then Fouche' S
face grew harder. and ne spoke
Il should never have been here II | had
guessed that you the Brown Of this firm
I leave at once But | ask you, In justice. to tell
my comrades that the reason why go is quar-
rel between us-not a crime for which they
would hound me from them.
The reason Is your d!shonor-and disnonor Is
a crime to men who respect themselves"
"If should defend'-- Victor broke off
shrugged his shoulders and picked up his Christ
mas parcel from the table
"Goodby. boys he exclaimed, confronting
! his companions. IF any OF you care TO shake
hands after this send off here is my fist"