The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-03-24

had established itself, and al
was going well.
The first move of the NJ. & ID. com
pany had been one of conciliation
Thorpe was approached by the walking
boss of the camps up river. The mar
did not pretend any hypocritical friend
ship for the younger firm. His propo
sition was entirely one of mutual ad
vantage. The company had gone tC
considerable expense In constructing
the pier OF stone cribs. II would be
impossible for the steamer TO land al
any other point. Thorpe had undisput.
ed possession of the shore, but the com.
pany could as indisputably remove the
dock. Let il 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 Shcarpr and Thorpe agreed
that il would not do to be too ambitious
the first year. They set about clearing
their banking ground about half 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 bc travoycd directly to
the landing from its immediate vicinity
Next year" said Tim. "wc'll get in
20.Oo0,0Oo. That railroad IL get along
a ways 10y then, and men II be more
plenty"
Through the lengthening evenings
they sat crouched on wooden boxes
either side of the stove. conversing
iarely, gazing at one spot with steady
persistency which was only an outward
indication of the pcrsstency 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
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
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 waltzing.
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.
Perchcd on cracker box sat Phil.
His head was thrust forward almost
aggressiyely over his instrument, and
his eyes glared at the dancing men
with the old wolfike CLEAN. As he
played he drew the bow across with a
swift jerk. thrust il back with another,
threw his shoulders from one side to
the other in abrupt time TO the music.
And the music! Thorpe unconsciously
then sighed in pity. 1t was
atrocious! Ii was not even in tune.
The performer seemed to grind 1t out
with fierce delight. in which appear
ed little of the aesthetic pleasure of
the artist. Thorpe was at a loss to de-
fine it.
Poor Phll"' he said to himself. ''He
has the musical soul without even the
ear"
Next day, while passing out of the
cook camp. he addressed one of the
men.
well. Billy" he inquired. how do
you like your fiddler?"
"All right" replied Billy. with en-
phasis. shes got some 90 to her."
The work proceeded finely. and yet |
'he young lumberman had sense .
INC gh to know that while a crew
such as this is supremely effective 1t |
'equires careful handling to keep It
good humored and willing. He knew
very man by his first name and each
lay made it point to talk with him |
or moment or so. The subject was
invariably some phase of the work. |
Thorpe never permitted himself the IA
niliarity of Introducing any other topic.
lie never replied directly to an obiec-
ion or a request. but listened to il nom
'ommittally and later, without expla-
Iation or reasoning. acted as his judg-
nent dictated. Even Shearer, with
whom he was in most intimate contact,
espected this trait in him. Gradually
e came to feel that he was making a
Vay with his men. 1t was a status not
ssured as yet nor ever very firm. but
tatus for all that.
Then one day one Of the best men,
canister. came In TO make some objec-
on to the cooking. AS matter of
act, the cooking was perfectly good,
ut the lumber jack Is a great hand to
rowl, and he usually begins with his
bod.
Thorpe listened to his vague objec-
ons In silence.
"All right" he remarked simply.
Next day he touched the man on the
noulder just as he was starting TO
'ork.
"step into the Office and get your
me-" said he.
WHATS the matter| asked the man.
i don't need you any longer"
The two entered the little office.
horpe looked through the ledger and
an book and finally handed the man
s slip.
III have no g'Uwlers in this camp"
I'D Thorpe. with decision.
by thunder" cried the man, 'you"-
you get out OF lere9 cried Thorpe.
ith concentrated blaze of energetic /!
lssion that made the fellow step back.