The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1904-12-21

| - naQ eSCaDnSneQ 1CSeIf, ana all
was going well.
The first move of the M. s. d. COM
pany had been one Of Cancellation.
Thorpe was approached by the walking
boss Of the camps up river. The man
did not pretend any hypocritical friend
ship for the younger firm. His propo-
sition was entirely one of mutual adj
vantage. The company had gone to
considerable expense in constructing
| the pier of stone cribs. 1t would be
impossible for the steamer to land at
any other point. Thorpe had undisput-
ed possession Of the shore, but the COM
pany could as indisputably remove the
dock. Let it stay where it was. Both
companies could then use it for their
mutual convenience. To this Thorpe
agreed.
The actual logging was opening up
well. Both Shearer and Thorpe agreed
that it would not do to be too ambitious
the first year. They set about clearing
their banking ground about half a mile
below the first dam, and during the six
weeks before snowfall cut three short
roads of half mile each. APPROX
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 frightening evenings
they sat crouched on wooden boxes
either side of the stove, conversing
rarely, gazing at one spot with a steady
persistency which was only an outward
indication of the persistency with
which their minds held to the work in
hand Tim, 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 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,
GysTva Ir aE1 afh
sleeves just above the elbow. AT every
third step &C 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 glared at the dancing men
with the old wolffke CLEAN. As he
played he drew the bow across with
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 unconsciously
shuddered, then sighed in pity. 1t was
atrocious! 1t was not even in tune.
The performer seemed to grind it out
with fierce delight in which appear
ed little of the aesthetic pleasure of
the artist. Thorpe was at loss to de-
fine it.
"Poor Philr' 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.
swell, Billy" he inquired, ''how do
you like your fiddler?"
''All 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 supremely effective il
requires careful handling to keep il
good humored and willing. He knew
every man by his first name and eacf
day made it point to talk with him
for a moment or so. The subject was
invariably some phase of the work
Thorpe never permitted himself the ia
miliarity of introducing any other topic
He never replied directly to an objec
ton or a request, but listened to it non
committally and later, without expla
nation or reasoning, acted as his judg
ment dictated. Even Shearer, witt
whom he was in most intimate contact
respected this trait in him. Gradual.
he came to feel that he was making
way with his men. 1t was status no
assured as yet nor ever very firm, but
status for all that.
Then one day one Of the best men,
teamster, came in to make some objet
ton to the cooking. AS matter Q
fact, the cooking was perfectly goot
but the lumber jack is a great hand
growl, and he usually begins with hi
food.
Thorpe listened to his vague obje'
tons in silence.
"All right" he remarked simply.
Next day he touched the man on tt
shoulder just as he was starting
| work