Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-26

Der lay. This was matter of tramp
lng' though often on an elevation he
succeeded In climbing tall tree
whence ne caught blrdseye views Of
the country at large. He always car
ried his gun with him and was pre-
pared at moments notice to seem en-
gagged in hunting
Next he ascertained the geographical
location of the different clumps and
forests, entering the sections, the quar-
Ter sections, even the separate forties,
IN MS notebook, taking in only the de
scr1ptlons" containing the best pine.
Finally he wrote accurate notes con-
corning the topography of each and
every pine district-the lay Of the land,
the hills, ravines. swamps and valleys,
the distance from the river, the char
acter or the soil. In short, he accumu-
lated all the information he could by
which the cost of logging might be es-
timated.
For this he had really too little ex-
perience. He knew it. but determined
to do his best. The weak point of his
whole scheme lay in that it was going
to be impossible for him to allow the
prospective purchaser chance to ex-
anime the pine. That difficulty Thorpe
hoped to overcome by inspiring per-
sonal confidence in himself If he
failed to do so he might return with a
land locker whom the investor trusted,
and the two could re-enact the comedy
of this summer. Thorpe hoped, how
ever, to avoid the necessity. He set
about rough estimate of the timber
One evening just at sunset Thorpe
was helping the Indian shape his craft
The two men bent there at their task,
the dull glow of evening falling upon
them. Behind them the knoll stood
out in picturesque relief against the
darker pines. The river rushed by
with never ending roar and turmoil
Through its shouting one perceived, as
through a mist, the still lofty peace Of
evening.
A young fellow, hardly more than
boy, exclaimed with keen delight of the
| picturesque as his canoe shot around
the bend into sight Of it.
The canoe was large and powerful,
but well filed. An Indian knelt in
the stern. Amidships was well laden
with duffle of all descriptions. The
young fellow sat in the bow. He was
a bright faced, eager eyed, curly haired
young fellow, all enthusiasm and fire
His figure was trim and clean, but
rather slender, and his movements
were quick, but nervous. When he
stepped carefully out on the fat rock
to which his guide brought the canoe
with swirl of the paddle one initial
ed would have seen that his clothes,
while strong and serviceable, had been
bought from a sporting catalogue.
'"rhis is a good place. he said to the
guide "We'n camp here" Then he
turned up the steep bank without look
ing back.
Hello" he called in cheerful, I'M
embarrassed fashion to Thorpe and
Charley. How are you? Care if
camp here? What you making? By
Jove! I never saw canoe made be-
fore. I'm going to watch you. Keep
right at it."
He sat on one Of the outcropping
powders and took off his hat.
"Say, you've got great place here!
You here all summer? Hello! You've
got deer hanging up. Are there
many Of 'em around here? I'd like to
kill deer first rate. never have. It's
sort Of out of season now, isn't it?"
| 1--WE only kill the bucks" replied
Thorpe.
II like fishing too" went on the boy.
care there any here? In the pool?
john" he called to his guide, "bring me
my fishing tackle"
In few moments he was whipping
the pool with long, graceful drops Of
the fly. He proved to be adept. At
first the Indians stolid countenance
seemed trife doubtful. After time
it cleared.
"Good!' he grunted,
The other Indian had now finished
the erection of tent and had begun to
cook supper over a little sheet iron
camp stove. Thorpe and Charley could
smell ham.
you've got quite pantry" remark
|
won't you eat with me?' proffered
the boy Hospitality.
But Thorpe declined.
In the course Of the evening the boy
approached the older mems camp and
with charming difhdence, asked per-
mission to sit awhile at their fire.
ut must be good to live in the
woods" he said with sigh, ''to do all
things for yourself. It's so free"
Il just do love this" he cried again
and again. "Oh, it's great, after all
that fuss down there" And he cried it
so fervently that the other men present
smiled. but so genuinely that the smile
had in it nothing but kindness.
81 came out for q month";" said he
suddenly, "and guess I'll stay the rest
of it right here. You'll let me go with
you sometimes hunting, won't you?
I'd like first rate to kill deer"
Sure" said Thorpe. "Glad to have
you"
"My name is Wallace Carpenter"
said the boy, with sudden unmistak-
able air Of good breeding.
"Well," laughed Thorpe, "two old
woods loafers like US haven't got much