Evening star., 1900-10-06

He took a cheap room near the lumber
yard, and found before the week was out
that he could live on tWo-th1rdS OF his sal
airy. At the beginning of the second week
Mr.. Jackson put him in charge of the river
gang, driving logs. Hunch took advantage
of the mild weather to get all the logs In
the river to the mill before the river should
freeze up solid for the winter. He got along
well with the men, excepting a fellow
named Mcclure, who was inclined to grum-
BILE at the hard work. But one noon at
the mill, when the men were matching
their strength, Hunch lifted 6OO-pound
pile-driven weight and swung 1t easily
clear of the ground. That quieted Nc
Guire.
One day toward the close of his second
week Badeau found Bruce Considine hang
ing around at closing time, outside the
mill.
Hello. Bruce" he said. What you do
ing up here?"
Come up to see you, Hunch."
whats the matter?'
The old man come down on me last
week"
Fire your"
Yes, I'm sick of working for him. any
how. He'll never let fellow alone"
What are you going to do? You ain't
likely to get another job like that"
Il don't know. l thought mebbe you'd
know of something up here, Hunch.'
II just went on the job, myself"
Il know 1t; but l can't starve. Hunch.
amt had any money for a couple OF days.
How about-yOur-'
Name? She's down at the house. 1 told
her to go to the old man, but he's kind OF
ugly, and she won't do it. Guess she'll get
over being proud one of these days..
Whats she living on?"
IL thought mebbe 1 could send her some
thing if L could get a job up here"
II dunno, Bruce I'll ask the boss. Come
around tomorrow noon.
The following afternoon Bruce Joined
Hunch's gang as a day laborer. His mus
cles were soft, and 1t was several days be-
fore he could do a mans work. One day
the gang was carrying heavy timbers al
the mill, and Hunch noticed that Bruce's
partner on one of the double timber hooks
was muttering. He kept an eye on the pair
and saw that Bruce's handle sagged al
every few steps. When the rays work was
done he waited outside the mill for Bruce
Look here, Bruce" he said. I'm on to
you"
What you talking about?"
You know what I'm talking about.
seen you soldering. 1 just want to tell
you that 1T won't CO.
Bruce was silent for a moment, then he
said:
Think you've got me down, don't your
What 1 think amt got nothing to dc
with 1t. / got you the job, but l can't keet
you IL you don't take q brace. The boss
wouldn't stand for 1t. You got to earn your
pay"
It's easy for you to talk You're get.
ting good money. I'm working hard enough
for every cent l get.
None o your talk. now. Bruce. You
can't blun me- You just quit loafing and
get down TO business. You're going to dc
it. too, If 1 have to knock 1t into you. Un.
derstand?"
Bruce walked away in a surly mood, but
for few days Hunch saw a slight i'm.
provement in his work. Then there came a
slump. Hunch said nothing until one noon
he overheard Bruce and Mcclure grumblins
together. He called Bruce away.
Look here, Bruce" he said, you know
what L told you
What you got to kick aboutr'
None O your lip. You just keep away
from MCGUIRE"
Il don't see what you want to say about
a friend Of mine"
Friend Of yours. Ell? 1 s'pose you're
bunking with him. too?''
We'll, whose business is 1t If"
You leave him tonight. Understand"'
Bruce sulked for the rest of the day ant
avoided Hunch. After supper Hunch went
to McGuire's room in the square frame
n no.el Dy the tracks No one was there but
Bruces patent-leather valise lay in the cor
ner Hunch waited until they came in.
Hello! said Bruce, little startled.
Pack up your stuff and come along will
me, Bruce"
Bruce is rooming with me-" said Nc
Gutre. looking at Hunch out of the corner,
of his eyes"
mo, he amt" said Hunch, "he's room
ing with me. Step lively. Bruce. 1 beer
| waiting half an hour"
Bruce and Mcclure looked at each otber
| and Hunch sat grimy In the bed. Ther
Bruce turned to the bureau and began ner
yously gathering his things and throwins
! them into the valise Mcclure helped hin
without word. Then Bruce shook hand:
with Mcclure. a little stifiy, and wenI
| away with Hunch.
Now that he was directly under Hunch'i
eye. Bruce improved slightly. He fell int