Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-07

enteen. received this document Sho
stamped her foot almost angriiy.
You'd think he was n day laborerw
she cried. "Why doesn't he try for q
clerkship or something in the city
where he'd have a chance to use his
brains"
And thus she came to feeling rebel.
lousy that her brother had been a lit
tie selfish in his choice of an occupa-
ton; that he had sacrificed her inclina.
tons to his own.
After finishing the letter Thorpe lit
his pipe and strolled out into the dark
ness. Opposite the little ONCE he
stopped amazed.
Through the narrow window he could
see Railway seated I'm front of the
stove. He had sunk down into his
chair until he rested on almost the
small Of his back, his legs were stuck
straight out in front Of him, his chin
rested on his breast, and his two arms
hung listless at his side, a pipe half
falling from the fingers Of one hand.
All the faceuous lines had turned to
pathos.
whats the matter with the boss,
anyway" asked Thorpe in low voice
Of Jackson Hines when the seven ,p
game was finished.
"Hain't We heardf" inquired the old
man in surprise.
why. no. What?"
Busted" said the old men senten.
tiously.
How? What do you mean?'
what say. He's busted. That
freshet caught him too quick. They's
more than a million and half logs
left in the woods that can't be got out
this year. and rs his contract calls for
a finished job he don't get nothin' for
what he's DONE
That's queer rig" commented
Thorpe. Hes done lot Of valuable
work here. The tinber's cut and skid.
ded anyway, and he's delivered \ good
deal OF it to the main drive. The NJ.
& d. outfit get all the advantage Of
that"
"Thpy do. my son. When old Days
hand gets near anything 1t cramps.
don't know how the old man come to
make such 4 contrac', but he did. Re-
suit is he's ont his expenses and time"
The exceptionally early break up Of
the spring. combined with the fact
that owing to the series Of incidents
and accidents already sketchpd the &C.
tual cutting and skidding had fallen 20
far behind. caught Railway unawares.
He saw the rollways breaking out
while his teams were still hauling in
the woods. In order TO deliver to The
mouth OF the Cass branch the {: 600. 900
already banked he was forcsd to drop
everything else and attend strictly TO
the drive. This left still, as has been
stated, million and half on skid
ways. which Railway knew he would
be unable TO get out that year.
In spite Of the iobber's GER. ainty that
his claim was thus annulled AID that
he might az we'll abandon the enter
prise entirely for all he would ever get
out Of 1t, he finished the drive con-
scientiously and saved to the company
the logs already banked. Then he had
interviewed DAILY. The latter refused
~ HlIu OIt CcIt.
The next day Railway and Thorpe
walked the ten niles OF the river trail
together, while the teainsters aud the
cook drove down the FIVE teams. Tn
der the influence of the solitude ard
certain sympathy which Thorpe mani
Tested Radv'sy talked very little.
Il got behind: that's all there is to
it," he said Il bit off more than l
could chew
Thorpe noticed a treak in the mans
him. was astounded TO catch his eyes
trimming with tears. Railway per
ceived the surprise.
You know when left Christmas?"
he asked.
Yes"
TIE boys thought it was mighty
poor rig-;ny leaving that way"
lie paused again in evident cxpecta-
ton Of reply. Again Thorpe was ST.
lent.
"Didn't they:" Railway insisted.
Eyes, they did answered Thorpe.
The older man sighed. Il thought
So" he went on. "Well, didn't go to
spend Christmas. l went because jim
my brought me telegram that Ida
was sick with diphthcra. I sat up
nights with her for eleven days"
mo bad after effects. l hopeY' IN
CURED Thorpe.
she died" said Railway simply.