The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-05

lounged bullder figure. which Thorpe
concluded to be that Of the "old
man..
II was sent here by Shcarer." said
Thorpe directly; "he said you might
give me some work"
SO long silence fell that the ap-
plicant began to wonder X his ques-
ton has been heard.
II might replied the man drily at
last
We'll. will your Thorpe inquired,
the humor OF the situation overcoming
him.
Have you ever worked in the
woods?"
No
The man smoked silently.
I'll put you on the road in the
morning. he concluded. as though
this were the deciding qualification.
One Of the men entered abruptly and
aproa ched the counter The writer at
the desk laid aside his tablets.
what is it. Albert?' he asked.
..Jot Of chewin.,'' was me reply.
The scaIer took from the shelf long
plug OF tobacco and cut OFF two
inches.
Amt hittin the van much, are YOU
Albert?'' he commented. putting the
mans name and the amount IN i1ttie
book. Thorpe went out, after leaE-#
ing his name for the time book. en-
heightened as to the method of obtain
inc supplies He promised himself
some warm clothing from the van,
when he should have worked out the
necessary credit.
Ar supperhe learned something else
that he must not talk at table. For
one thing. supper was much prlefer
affair than it would have been had
every man felt privileged to take his
will In conversation: not to speak Of
the absence of noise and the presence
Of peace. Each man asked for what
he wanted.
please PASS the beans he said.
with the deliberate intonation OF a
man who does not expect that MS
request will be granted.
Besides the beans, were fried salt
nork. hroilcd potatoes. canned corn
1nince pie, a variety OF cookies ana
doushnuts, and strong green tea
Thorpe found himself eating 5ravenous-
~ of the crude fare.
That evening he underwent a cate
cl1isln. a few practical Jokes. which he
took good-naturedly. and vastdeal OF
chatting At nine the lights We're all
out. lsy daylight he and a dozen 9TH
err men were at work, lewing road
that had to be as smooth and lever
as a New York boulevard.
Thorpe and four others were set
to work on this road, which was to
be cut through creek bottom lead
ing. he was told. to seventeen He
learned to nse double-bitted ak.
From shortly after daylight he
worked Four other men bore him
company. and twice Railway him
self came by. watched their opera
lions for moment, and moved on
without comment After Thorpe had
caught his second wind he enjoyed
his task. proving q certain pleasure
in the ease with which he handled
his tool.
At the end of an interminable pc
Rod, a faint. musical halloo swelled.
echoed and died through the forest.
beautiful as spirit 1t was taken
up by another voice and repeated.
Then by another Now near at
IL
low as a bell The sawyers. the
swampers, the slidders. and the team
men turned and put on their heavy
blanket coats.
Down on the road Thorpe heard it
too. and wondered what it might be.
Come on. Bub, she means chew"
explained old man Heath kindly.
Thorpe resumed his coat, and fell
in behind tie little procession. At
ter short time he came upon
horse and sledge. Beyond it the
cookie had built little camp fire.
around and over which he had group
ed big fifty-pound lard tins, half full
of hot things to eat Each man. as
he approached. picked up a tin plate
and cup from a pile near at hand.
The cookie was plainly master of
the situation. lie issued peremptory
orders. When Erickson, the blonde
Swede. attempted surrepttiously to
appropriate doughnut. the youth
turned on him savagely.
Get out of that. you big tow
head!' he cried with an oath.
The men ate. perched in various at
titudes and places. Thorpe found it
OililShlL " hStp "s1I TIC ~
lent exercise had heated him through.
and now the north country cold rene-
trated TO his bones. He huddled
close to the fire, and drank hot tea,
but it did not do him Very much good.
In his secret mind he resolved to buy
one of the blanket nackinaws that
very evening
The newcomers first day of hard
work had tired him completely. He
was ready for nothing so much as
his bunk But he had forgotten that
it was Saturday night. His status
was still to assure.
They began with a few mild tricks.
Shuttle the Brogan followed Hot Back.
Thorpe took all Of it good-naturedly.
Finally q tall individual with a thin
white face, reptilian forehead. red
dish hair, and long baboon arms sug-
gested tossing in a blanket Thorpe
looked at the low ceiling and declined.
TIN with the game as long as You
can say, boys" said he, and III nave
as much fun IS anybody. but that's
going too far for tired man.
The reptilian gentleman let out a
string of oaths whose meaning might
be translated. We'll see about that.
Thorpe was a good boxer. but he
knew by now the lumber-jacks meth
cd of tiGhtins-anything to hurt the
other fellow. And in genuine old
fashioned knock-down-a nd-drag -out
ron .Sc1,rS woodSr1an is