Courier Democrat., 1904-06-09
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The first move of tile NJ. Il u. COM
pany had been one Of conciliation.
Thorpe was approached by the walking
boss of the camps up river. The man
did not pretend any hypccritical 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
we'll. 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 mile
below the first dam, and during the six
weeks before snowfall cut three short
roads of half q 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, "we'll get in
s0.O0O,O00. That railroad III get along
ways by then, and men II be more
plenty"
Through the lengthening evenings
they sat crouched on wooden boxes
either side of the stove, conversing
rarely, gazing at one spot with 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
10 escape his deliberate scrutiny. Moth
ing was in SO perfect state that it did
not bear one more inspection. He
played the logging as 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
Phils violin, strolled over and looked
through the window. A dance was in
progress. The men were Waiting,
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.
Perched tai 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 wolfike gleam. 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 Phil!'' 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.
"Well, Billy" he inquired, "how do
you like your fddler?'
"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 crew
such as this is supremely effective it
requires careful handling to keep it
good humored and willing. He knew
every man by his first name and each
day made it point to 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.
He never replied directly to an objec-
ton or a request, but listened to it nom
committally and later, without expla-
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 status not
assured as yet nor ever very firm. but I,
status for all that.
Then one day one Of the best men, a
teamster, came in to make some objec-
ton to the cooking. AS a matter Of
fact, the cooking was perfectly good.
but the lumber jack is a great hand to
growl, and he usually begins with his
food.
Thorpe listened to his vague objec.
lions 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.