The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-04-27
Chapter III.

Thorpe was awakened a long time
before daylight by the ringing Of a
noisy bell He dressed sh!vering and
stumbled down stairs TO the round
stove, big IS boiler. into which the
cripple dumped huge logs Of wood from
time 10 time. After breakfast Thorpe
returned to this stove ana sat half doing
tor what seemed to him untold ages
The cold Of The northern country was
initiating him.
Men came in. smoked brief pipe. and
went out After time he himself put
Oh his ovcrcoat and Venturcd out into
the town H. seemed to Thorpe u mea
ger affair built of lumber. mostly un-
painted. with always the dark. men
acing fringe of the forest behind The
great saw mill. with it's tall stacks and
it's rows OF water barrels--protection
against fre-on top. was the dominant
note Near the mill coughed little red
painted structure from whose stove pipe
a. column OF white smoke arose attest
ing the cold, a clear hundred feet straight
upward and to whose door number OF
men were directing their steps through
the snow. over the door Thorpe could
DISTINGUISH the word "Oficc." He fol-
lowed and entered
I'm a narrow aisle, rallied off from the
main part of the room, waited yhorpe's
rompaniony of the night before. The re-
maindor Of the Office gave accommoda-
ton to tnree clerks. one of these
glanced up inquiringy as Thorpe came
in.
Il am looking for work" said Thorpe.
"Wait there" briefly commanded the
clerk
In a few moments the door Of the inner
room opened. and Shearer came out.
mans head peered from within.
Come on, boys" said he
The five applicants shuhled through.
Thorpe found himself in the presence OF
a man whom he felt to be the natural
leader Of these wild, Independent spirits.
He was already q little past middle life,
and his form had lost the elastic yigor
of youth But his eye was keen clear,
and wrinkled TO a certain dry facotious-
ness; and his figure was of that bulk
which gives an impression OF a subtler
weight and power than the merely ply
steal You felt his superiority even when
he was most comradcly with You. This
man Thorpe was to meet under other
conditions. wherein the steel hand would
more plainly clink the metal.
He was now seated in Il worn office
chair before a Uttered desk. In the close
cir hung The smell of stale cigars and
the clear fragrance Of pine.
what is it, Dcnnis?" he asked the first
of the men.
rye been out" replied the lumber
man "Have you got anything for me,
Mr. Daly?"
The mill-owner laughed.
II guess so. Report to Shearer. Did
YOU vote for the right man, Denny
The lumberman grinned sheepishly. II
don't know, sir. l didn't get that far
Better let it alone. | suppose YOU
and Bin want to come back, too?' he
added, turning to the next two in line.
IAN right report to Tim. Do you want
work?' he inquired of the last of the
quartet. a big. bashful man with the
shoulders of a Hercules.
Eyes, sir answered the latter uncom-
Portable.
"What do YOU WANT
I'm a cant-hook man. sir
'.Whcrc have You worked?
Il had job with Morgan * Stebbins,
ON The Clear river. last winter.
''All right, we need cant-hook men. Re
port at T., and if they don't want You
there. go to - "
The man went out. DAILY turned to