The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-28

his superiority even when he was moss
comradely with you. This man Thorns
was to meet under other conditions
wherein the steel hand would mora
! plainly clink the metal.
He was now seated in a worn Office
chair before a Uttered desk. In tho
close air hung the smell of stale cigars
and the clear fragrance of pine
What is it, Dennis?" he asked thA
first of the men.
I've been out" replied the lumber.
man. Have you got anything for me.
Mr. Daly?"
The mill owner laughed.
Il guess so. Report TO Shearer. Did
you vote for the right man, Denny?"
The lumberman grinned sheepishly
II don't know, sir, 1 didn't get that
far
Better let it alone. 1 suppose YOU
and Bill want to come back, too?" he
added, turning to the next two in line
IAN right report to Tim. Do Won
want work?" he inquired of the last
of the quartette, a big bashful man
with the shoulders of a Hercules.
Yes, sir" answered the latter, un-
comfortable.
What do you want?"
I'm a cant-hook man, SIR"
Where have you worked?"
81 had a job with Morgan & Steh
bins, on the Clear river, last winter"
"All right, we need cant-hook men
Report at SEVEN and if they don't
want you there, go to thirteen
The man went out. DAILY turned to
Thorpe with the last fiickers of amuse-
ment in his eyes.
What can 1 do for your" he in.
quired.
Il am looking for work." Thorpe re.
piled.
What kind of work?"
ANY kind, so long as 1 can learn
something about the lumber business
The older man studied him keenly
for a few moments.
Have you had any other business
experienced"
None"
What have you been doing?"
Nothing"
The lumberman's eyes hardened.
I'VE are a very busy firm here" he
said, with a certain elaboration; I'VE
do not carry a big force of men in
any one department. and each of those
men has to fill his place and slop some
over the sides. We do not pretend
or attempt to teach here. If you want
to be a lumberman, you must learn
the lumber business more directly than
through the windows of a bookkeep-
er's Office. Go into the woods. Learn
few first principles. Find out the
difference between Norway and white
pine anyway"
After his speech the business man
whirled back to his desk.
Have you anything for me to do
in the woods, then?" the other asked
quietly.
NO" said DAILY over his shoulder.
Thorpe went out. He had made the
elementary discovery that even in
chopping wood skilled labor counts. He
did not know where to turn next and
he would not have had the money
to go far in any case. So, although
Shearer's brusque greeting that morn
ing had argued a lack of cordially,
he resolved to remind the riverman
of his promised assistance.
That noon he carried out his re-
solve.
GO up and tackle Railway" said
Shearer. He's jobbing for us on the
Cass Branch. He needs men for road
in. know, because he's behind. You'll
get a job there"
Where is it?" asked Thorpe.
Ten miles from here. She's blazed
but you better wait for the supply
team Friday. If you try to make her
yourself, you'll get lost on some of
tn old loggin' roads,"
Thorpe considered.
I'm busted" he said at last, frank
ly.
"Oh. that's all right" replied the
walking-boss. Marshall, come here"
The peg-legged boarding house
keeper stumped in.
What is it?" he trumpeted snuff
fingly.
This boy wants job till Friday
Then he's going up to Railways with
the supply team. Now quit your hol-
lering for chore boy for few days"
"All right" snorted Marshall, take
that ak and split some dry wood that
you'll find behind the house"
I'm very much obliged to you, be-
gan Thorpe to the walking-boss, land
-"
That's all right" interrupted the
latter. Some day you can give me
job"
(To Be Continued Next Sunday