The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1904-03-19

rarely, gazing nj one spot WIN a srenuy
persistency which was only an outward
indication OF the persistency with
which their minds held to the work In
hand. Tim, the older al the business.
showed this trait more strongly than
Thorpe. The old man thought of moth
Ing but logging. Nothing was too small
10 escape his deliberate scrutiny. Moth
ing was in so perfect state that II did
not bear one more inspection. He
played the logging as a chess player
bis 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 10 remember
Phil's violin. strolled over and looked
through the window. a dance was In
progress. The men were waltzlng.
whlrllng 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.
lis head was thrust forward almost
agsresslyely over his instrument, and
his eyes glarcd az the dancing men
with the old wolnike CLEAN. AS he
plnyed he drew the bow across with a
swift jerk. thrust 1t back with another.
threw his shoulders from one side TO
the other in abrupt time TO the music,
And the music. Thorpe unconsclously
shuddered. then sighed I'm pity. 1t was
atrocious. II was not even in tune,
The performer seemed 70 grind 1t out
with fierce delight In which appear
ed little OF the aesthetic pleasure Of
tie artist Thorpe was at loss to de-
fine it.
Poor Pbl! he said TO himself Gle
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 Billyp he inquired, chow do
you like your nddlerT
GAIL right" replied Billy. with en-
phasls. she's got some 80 10 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 IL
good humored and willing. He knew
every man by his first name and each
day made ii point 10 talk with him
for moment or SO. The subject was
invariably some phase of the work.
Thorpe never permitted himself the IA
miliarity of introducing any other topic.
lie never replied directly TO an objec-
ton or q request, but listened to IL non
committally and later, without cxpla-
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
he came TO feel that he was making a
way with his men. 1t was Il status not
assured as yet nor ever very firm, but Il
status for all that.
Then one day one Of the best men, a
teamster, came in TO make some objee-
ton TO the cooking. AS 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
time" 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
van book and finally handed the man
his slip.
'I'll have no GROWERS In this camp"
said Thorpe, with decision.
"By thunder" cried the man, you
you get out of herew cried Thorpe,
with concentrated blaze OF energetic
passion that made the fellow step back.
II amt goin' to get on the wrong
side OF the law by foolin' with this
Office" cried the other at the door. "but
II had you outside for a minute
leave this officer shouted Thorpe.
"S'pose you make mer' challenged
the man insolently.
I In a 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
handed to tackle Dyers crew.
Without word he sprang across the
shack. seized two bladed AK from the
pile behind the door, swung II around
his head and cast 1t full at the now
frightened teamster. The latter lodged,