The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-05-25

with interest by those who are not familiar
with his work and will be reread by those
who remember him.-Eds.I
THERE were five of us in the party
six. counting Long Tom, the
guide. After two days hard climbing.
which the burros endured with eXem-
plary fortitude, we arrived at the little
valley high up in the mountains,
through which threaded the trout
stream.
Jest you all 60 over into the cabin
there and make yourself conf bic, while
! tend to gettin' this stuff unpaclled,"
said Long Tom; there Amt no one
there. My pardner, he's down below"
"The cabin appears to be two cabins,
said the colonel, as we approached it.
THAT is for economy in ridge-poles, "
said the doctor; sleeping apartments
on one side and kitchen on the other.
In the space between, you keep your
fishing tackle and worms
We entered the right-hand section Of
the twin cabin, which proved to be the
kitchen side. There was not much
furniture-a table of hewn logs, a chair
of bent sapIings, and a rough bench.
However, we did not notice such
furniture as there was, for each mem
Der of the party, as he stepped over the
high threshold, had his attention in
stantly attracted by the stove, and
brief roundelay Of CALCULATIONS went
along the group.
''Well, that staggers me-" said the
stock broker.
Him" said the professor, in mys-
ferrous tone, and rubbed his chin.
The stove was plain, small cooking
range, rather old and rusty. The
strange thing about it was its position.
Its abbreviated legs stood upon large
cedar posts, which were planted in the
floor and were over four feet in height.
This brought the stove away up in mid
air, so that the top was about on level
with the face of the colonel, and he was
a six footer.
We formed in a circle about the stove
and stared at it as solemnly as a group
of priests around a sacrifical tripod.
We felt of the posts-they were firm
and solid, showing that the mysterious
arrangement was permanent, not
temporary one. Then we all bent our
necks and opened CUR mouths to look
up at the hole in the roof through which
the stove pipe vanished.
Suddenly the stock broker burst out
into a laugh.
''Oh, I understand it now" said he.
understand what?" asked the colo
mel, sharply.
"Why Long Tom has his stove hoist
ed up so high from the aoor."
80 do |" said The doctor; but I sus-
pect that my explanation is not the
same that anyone else would offer"
well, l will bet that l am right"
said the stock broker, land put up the
mon.y."
Il am in this" said the judge; 81 have
clear idea about that stove and will
back it,
make it a jackpot said the colonel;
81 want to take a hand
The stock broker drew a small vel
low coin out of his pocket and dropped
it on the table.
He has the stove up there" he said,
''to get better draught. In this rare
fed mountain air there is only a small
amount of oxygen to the cubic inch,
and combustion is more difficult to Sc
cure than in the lower ATTITUDES. lLave
heard that if you get high enough sou
can't cook an egg-that is, | mean,
water won't boi!-or something like
that" he continued. thrown into sud
den confusion by the discovery that the
professors eye was fixed upon him with
a sarcastic gaze.
us that supposed to be science?" de-
manded the professor
WELL" said the stock broker, dog