The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-02

possible I0I the STEAMER 70 ldllQ dl any
other point. Thorpe had undisputed
possession Of the shore. but the COM
pany could as indisputably remove the
dock Let ii stay where it was. Both
companies could then use it for their
mutual convenience. To this Thorpe
agreed.
The actual logging was opening up
we'll. Both SheaTer and Thorpe agreed
that il would not do to be too ambi-
tious the first year. They set about
clearing their banking ground about a
half mile below the first dam, and dur
ing the six weeks before snowfall cut
three short roads of half a mile each.
Approximately 20,000,000 feet would be
put in from these roads-which could
be extended in years to come-while
another million could be travoyed di-
rectly TO the landing from its immedi-
ate vicinity.
Next year" said Tom, well get in
20. 600, 900. That rairoad'll get along a
ways by then, and men1l be more
plenty"
Through the lengthening evenings
they sat crouched on wooden boxes
either side of the stove, conversing
rarely, gazing at one spot with a
steady persistency which was only an
outward indication of the persistency
with which their minds held to the
WI n III AdilN- Iillls lAG OlQCA at TIC
business, showed his trait more strong
ly than Thorpe. The old man thought
of nothing but logging. Nothing was
too small to escape his deliberate scrut
my. Nothing was in so perfect state
that it did not bear one more inspec-
ton. He played the logging as a chess
player his game.
In the mems camp the crew lounged,
smoked. danced or played cards. In
~. IL
ding gambling. One evening Thorpe,
who has been too busy to remember
Phils violin, strolled over and looked
through the window. A dance was in
progress. The men were Waiting
whirling solemnly round and round,
gripping firmly each others loose
sleeves just above the elbow. At every
third step of the waltz they stamped
one foot.
Perched on a cracker box sat Phil.
His head was thrust forward almost
aggressively over his instrument, and
his eyes glared at the dancing men
with the old wolf-like CLEAN AS he
played he drew the bow across with a
swift jerk, thrust ii back with another,
threw his shoulders from one side to
the other in abrupt time to the music.
And the music Thorpe unconsciously
shuddered; then sighed in pity! 1t was
atrocious. 1t was not even in tune.
The performer seemed to grind it out
with a fierce delight, in which APP
peared little of the aesthetic pleasure
of the artist. Thorpe was at a loss
to define it.
Poor Phil" he said to himself. HE
has the musical soul without even the
musical earl"
Next day, while passing out, of the
cook camp he addressed one of the
men:
We'll, Billy" he inquired, ''how do
you like your fddler?"
"All right" replied Billy with en-
phasis. She's got some go to her"
The work proceeded finely, and yet
the young lumberman had sense
enough to know that. while a crew
such as this is supremely effective, it
requires careful handling to keep it
good humored and willing. He knew
every man by his first name, and each
day made it point to talk with him
for a moment or so. The subject was
invariably some phase of the work.
Thorpe never permitted himself the
familiarity of introducing any other
topic
He never replied directly to an objec-
ton or a request, but listened to it
noncommittally; and later without ex-
PLANTATION or reasoning, acted as his
judgment dictated. Even Shearer,
with whom he was in most intimate
contact respected this trait in him.
Gradually he came to feel that he was
making a way with his men. 1t was
a status, not assured as yet nor ever
very firm, but status for all that.
Then one day one of the best men,
teamster, came in to make some objec-
ton to the cooking. AS a matter of
fact, the cooking was perfectly good.
but the lumber-jack is a great hand to
growl, and he usually begins with his
food.
Thorpe listened to his vague objec-
tons in silence.
"All right" he remarked simply.
Next day he touched the man on the
shoulder just as he was starting to
work.
"step into the office and get your
time" said he.
whats the natter" asked the man.
at don't need you any longer"
The two entered the little office.
Thorpe looked through the ledger and
van book, and finally handed the man
his slip.
'I'll have no GROWERS in this camp"
said Thorpe with decision.
''By Cod" cried the man. you
damned"
''You get out of here!" cried Thorpe
with a concentrated blaze of energetic
passion that made the fellow step back.
ct amt going to get on the wrong
side of the law by foolin' with this
Office" cried the other at the door, "but
if 1 had you outside for minute"
Leave this office!" shouted Thorpe.
''S' pose you make mel" challenged
the man insolently.
In a moment the defiance had come,
endangering the careful structure
Thorpe had reared with such pains.
The young man was suddenly angry in
exactly the same blind, unreasoning
manner as when he had leaped SINGLE
handed to tackle Dyer's crew.
Without word he sprang across the
shack, seized a two-bladed ak from
the pile behind the door, swung it
around his head and cast it full at
the now frightened teamster. The
latter lodged, and the swirling steel
buried itself in the snowbank beyond.
Without an instant's hesitation Thorpe
reached back for another. The man
took to his heels.
81 don't want to see you around here
again." shouted Thorpe after him.
Then in a moment he returned to the
office and sat down overcome with con-
triton.
1T might have been murder" he
told himself, awe-stricken.
But, as it happened, nothing could
have turned out better.
Thorpe had instinctively seized the
only method by which these strong men
could be impressed Now the entire
crew looked with vast admiration on
their boss as a man who intended to
have his own waV no r,1atter 1,rto+ Iie