The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-07-07

roads of half mile each. Approxi.
mately 100000 feet would be put in
from these roads, which could be ex-
tended in years to come, while another
million could be travoyed directly to
the landing from its immediate vicinity.
Next year." said Tim, well get in
100000. That railroad III get along
ways by then, and men III 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 steady
perslstency which was only an outward
indication OF the persistency with
which their minds held to the work in
hand. lin, the older at the business,
showed this trait more strongly than
Thorpe. The old man thought of moth
ing but logging. Nothing was too small
to escape his deliberate scrutiny. Moth
ing was in so perfect a state that it did
not bear one more inspection. He
played the logging as a chess player
his game.
In the mems camp the crew lounged.
smoked, danced or played cards. In
those days no one thought of forbid
ding gambling. One evening Thorpe
who had been too busy to remember
Pills 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 slared at the dancing men
VIZ: tie Old wolfke CLEAN. As he
played ia drew the bow across with a
swift jerk, thrust it back with another,
threw his shoulders from one side to
the other in abrupt time to the music.
And the music! Thorpe unconsciousIy
shuddered, then sighed in pity. 1t was
atrocious! It was not even in tune.
The performer seemed to grind it cut
with fierce delight, in which appear
ed little Of the aesthetic pleasure of
the artist. Thorpe was at a loss to d.
fine it,
"Poor Philip he said to himself. "He
has the musical soul without even the
musical ear"
Next day, while passing out Of the
cook camp, he addressed one of the
men.
''Well, Billy" he inquired, chow do
you like your fddler?"
call 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 supremacy 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 moment or so. The subject was
invariably some phase of the work.
Thorpe never permitted himself the ia
mlllarity of introducing any other topic.
He never replied directly to an objec-
committally and later, without expla-
nation Or reasoning, acted as his judg-
ment dictated. Even Shearer, with
whom he was in most intimate contact,
respected this trait in him. Gradually
ne came to feel that he was making a
way with his men. It was status not
assured as yet nor ever very firm, but a
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 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
Tine" said he.
whats the matter?' asked the man.
Il don't need you any longer"
The two entered the little Office.
Thorpe looked through the ledger and
feAAA DOOh duu uudlly the man
his slip.
III have no GROWERS in this camp"
said Thorpe, with decision.
"By thunder" cried the man, "you"-
You get out of herev' cried Thorpe,
with concentrated blaze of energetic
passion that made the fellow step back.
Il amt goin' to get on the wrong
side of the law by foolin' with this
office" cried the other at the door, ''but
if l had you outside for a minute''-
Leave this Officer shouted Thorpe.
"S'pose you make mev' challenged
the man insolently.
In 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
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