The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-02-17
CbRGe BOYS IND II BeHR.
By Sydney Dayre.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

THERE! I guess that's in good
and tight. Tip-top place! Now
If I could get deer"
Pete clapped together the numbed
hands with which he had been setting
trap, then carefully again tried all it's
fastenings.
Eyes. that'll do. Or bear-a beard
be the finest; but bears don't often
come down here. Yes, a splendid
place! l can take look at it every
time come by"
Saying which, with whoop and a
bound, Pete dashed over the brambles,
stones and fallen trees to reach his
team, standing in the rough country
road.
Pete worked in lumber camp far up
in the dense forest of one of the north
ern states. He enjoyed his work we'll
enough, but with all his heart he longed
to go to school; and the work came,
alas!-almost with the opening of
school. His mother was a widow with
younger children, and never dice did
Pete dream of failing to bring all his
energies to her help.
But he did not quite relinquish his
studies. His school-books were carefully
lcosened from their bindings, so that a
few leaves at time could be slipped
into his pocket. You would wonder
how boy so situated could find any
time for books. But Pete fixed many
rule in his head while waiting for his
horses 70 take a rest, or during his
short lunch-time. And although the
hard work, pure air and keen cold
made early sleep necessity, he still
stole many precious half-hour by
the bright glancing light of the great
cabin fire, until often, when overcome
with drowsiness, hauled off to his bunk
by the older ones.
Pete was faithful worker, and had
this winter been promoted to the office
Of driver to one of the supply-wagons.
These were drawn by four or six horses
to the nearest small towns, there to be
loaded with things needful to the COM
fort of the camp. Pete rejoiced in the
change OF occupation; for on his Gin
trip" when his wagon was almost
empty. he could safely take many a peep
at his book, while on the way out with
his load he had to give the horses long
rests.
1t was, during one of these, that,
withoutgoing out of sight of his wagon,
he set the trap which he hoped nigh.
bring him little money to spend on
books. It was winter of unusual
severity; and he had become greatly
excited by stories he heard of the great
success of hunters and trappers. Hunt
ing was out of the question for him,
but trap would do the work while he
was at other things. So, with heart
aglow with hope. he leaped ON his
heavy wagon. gathered handful of
reins and urged on his horses.
Few, perhaps, who have not driven
a lumber camp supply-wagon can i'm
sgine the hardness and roughness of
the work. Until good sleighing comes,
the wild roads, always bad, are doubly
10 in winter, and journey of Is miles
is hard days work. It is pleasant to
be able to say that the drivers are
gentle in the treatment of their horses.
driving them with patience and giving
then the best of care. Day after day,
on his going and returning journeys,
Pete visited his trap with the hope of
finding a prize. If he had good luck
but once in the course of winter, it
would be all he could ask. But as time
went by without any return for his
outlay on the trap, he began to give
It up AS bad bargain.
After period of comparatively mild
wea Their, winter again settled down to
serious work, The great trees in the
woods creaked and groaned under the
cruel touch Of the frost. Fresh relays
of blankets were sent out to the camps,
and the rough fireplaces were piled
higher with logs and brush. Snow lay
deep, and animals. driven from their
far-away hiding places in search of
food, ventured near the abodes of men,
alike fearful and feared.
"Hello!"
"Look there!"
Two boys of near Pete's age were
passing through the woods. They
were well known to him and to others
Is belonging to the class who,
while they might have had regular
work, preferred to lead shiftless,
hand-to-mouth life, hunting, trapping
or fishing, only working when drivento
1t by dire necessity.
The two, just coming over a steep
rise in the woods, stood breathless at
what they saw.
"A bear! Look out-don't go near!"
"Pshaw! He's caught! Don't you
see? Trapped all safe and right"
THAT'S SO: I wonder whose trap
'tis." :
W. "Pete Warmers, I guess. I've seen
him round here" # RI
The boys were cautiously drawing
near the trap.
"Ain't he whopperl" exclaimed
Dick. the oldest boy. 5
Lets 60 and tell Pete-and make
him pay us for letting him know" said
fam. 81