Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-12-31


orrison & DAILY had for many years
arricd on extensive logging operations
the wilderness.
Now at last, in the early eighties
ley reached the end of their holdings.
mother winter would finish the cut.
At this juncture Mr. DAILY called to
i'm John Roadway, man whom he
new to possess extensive experience,
little capital and desire for more OF
9th.
"Kadway," said he when the two
pund themselves alone in the mill Of
ce, 1--WE expect TO cut this yenr some
100000, which will finish our pine
oldings in the Saginaw waters. Most
this timber lies over in the Crooked
Iake district. and that we expect to
ut in ourselves. We own, however,
100000 on the Cass branch which we
-ould like TO log OIL contract. Would
on care to take the job!'
How much a thousand do you
ive?" asked Radway.
-Four dollars" replied the lumber
han.
'Ill look at it," replied the iobber
So Railway got the descriptions"
nd little map divided into townships.
bottoms and quarter sections and went
ut TO look at il. He searched until he
lund blaze on tree. the marking
"a which Indicated it as the corner of
section. From this corner the bound
~ lines were ha2cd ut right angles
h either direction. Railway followed
le blazed lines. Thus he was able ac-
uratcly to locate isolated "forties"
Forty acres), "olghties,' quarter sec
ons md sections in u primeval wilder
ess The feat, however, required con-
derable woodcraft an exact sense OF
ERECTION and n pocket compass.
These resources We're still further
rawn upon for the next task. Rad
Jay tramped the woods. hills and val
ys to determine the most practical
quite over which to build logging
pad from the standing timber to the
hores of Cnss branch. He found 1t
b be an affair of some puzzlement.
he pines stood on n country rolling
nth hills. deep with pot holes. 1t
ecame necessary To dodge in and out
ere and there. between the knobs.
round and through the swamps. still
eeping. however, in the same general
ERECTION and preserving always the
rquisi,c level or down grade Rad
,ay had no vantage point from which
survey the country. A city man
ould promptly have lost himself in
he tangle, but the woodsman emerged
t last on the banks of a stream, leav-
ng behind him a meandering trail Of
dipped trees.
III take it," said he to DAILY.
DAILY now proceeded to drive sharp
bargain with him.
CuStomarily jobber is paid GER
ain proportion of the agreed price as
ach stage OF the work is completed.
paly objected to this method of pro-
edure.
You see, Railway he explained,
it's our last season in the country.
Nhen this lot is in we want to pull
p stakes so we can't take any
hances on not getting that timber in.
you don't finish your job, it keeps
Is here another season. There can be
10 doubt. therefore, that you finish
our Job. In other words, we can't
|ake any chances. If you start the
hing, you've got to carry it way
hrough.'
Il think I can. Mr.. DAILY" the job
Der assured him.
For that reason" went on DAILY
we object to paying you as the work
progresses. We've got to have guar
mtec that you don't quit on us and
hat those logs will be driven down the
branch as far as the river in time &c
latch our drive. Therefore I'm COINS
make you good price per thousand
put payable only when the logs are
delivered to orr river men"
Roadway, with his usual mental atti
ude Of one anxious to justify the 9th
r man, ended by seeing only his EN-
bloyers argument. He did not per
GIVE that the latter's proposition in
reduced into the transaction Il gam
bling element. 1t became possible fol
Morrison q DAILY TO get a certain
)letioD done for nothing
All this WAS in August Railway
Hho WAS a good, practical woodsman
get about the job Immediately. He gath
Pred a crew, established camp ant
egan at once to cut roads through
he country he had already blazed OF
lis former trip
Radways task was not merely L
ayel out and ballast the six feet OF q
'oadbed already constructed, but Il
ut way for five miles through tn,
lnbroken wilderness. The way had
moreover, to he not less than twenty
i've feet wide, needed to be absolutel,
evel and free from any kind of oh
Ftructions and required in the swamp
liberal ballasting with poles, called cor
luroys. Not only must the growth b
removed, but the roots must be cut ON
hnd the inequalities of the ground lev
Pied or filed up. Reflect further tina
Railway had but a brief time at hi
disposal, but few months at mos
End you will then he in position t
gauge the first difficulties OF those th
American pioneer expects TO encounte
as matter of course.
The jobber of course pushed h
roads as rapidly as possible, but wa
greatly handicapped by lack OF mel
Winter set in early and surprised hi
with several of the smaller Dranch'
la<N n