Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-14

~ boy because he was open heart
ed, free from nffectation, assnmptive
Of no superiority-in short. because he
was direct and sincere. Wallace, on
his part, adored in Thorpe the free,
open air life, the adventurous quality,
the quiet, hidden power, the resource
fulness and the self sufliciency of the
pioneer. He did anything Mt all. He
accepted Thorpe for what he thought
him to be rather than for what he
might think him to be.
Little by little the eager questions
Of the youth extracted full statement
Of the situation. He learned of the
timber thieves up the river, of their
present operations and their probable
plans, Of the valuable pine lying still
unclaimed, of Thorpe's stealthy raid
into the enemy's country.
"Why. it's great! It's better than any
book ever read!'
He wanted to know what he could do
to help
Nothing except keep quiet" replied
Thorpe. you mustn't try to act any
different. If the men from up river
come by. be just as cordial to them as
you can and don't act mysterious and
cSportant."
"All right" agreed Wallace, bubbling
with excitement. "And then what do
you do-after you get the timber esti-
mated?
"I'll 60 south and try. quietly. to
raise some money. That will be diff
cult because. you see. people don't know
me, and l am not in n position to let
them look over the timber. OF course
1t will be merely question Of my
judgment. they can go themselves to
the land office and pay their money.
There won't be any chance of my max
ing way with that. The investors will
become possessed of certain descrip-
tons lying in this country, all right
enough. The rub is, Will they have
enough confidence In me and my judy
ment to believe the timber to be what
I represent it?'
81 see" commented Wallace, sudden.
ly grave.
Harry" said he that evening. with
| a
you take little walk with me down
by the dam? l want to talk with
you"
They strolled to the edge of the bank
and stood for moment looking at the
swirlng waters.
II want you to tell mo all about log
ging." began Wallace. Start from the
beginning. Suppose. for instance-what
would be your first mover
They sat side by side on a log. and
Thorpe explained. The excitement of
war was in it. When he had finished,
Wallace drew deep breath.
"When l am home" said he simply,
II live in a big house on the Lake
Shore drive. 1t is heated by steam and
lighted by electricity. touch but
ton or turn screw and at once am
lighted and warmed. At certs:n hours
meals ore served me. l don't know
how they are cooked or where the ma
terials come from. Since leaving COL
lcge l have spent little time down
town every day, and then I've played
golf or tennis or ridden horse in the
park. We do little limitations of the
real thing with blue ribbons tied to
them and think we are camping or
roughing it. This life of yours is glo-
rious, is vital it means something in
the march of the world
The young fellow spoke with unex-
pected swiftness and earnestness.
Thorpe looked at him in surprise.
II know what you are thinking"
said the boy, flushing. You are sur
prised that l can be in earnest about
anything"
Thorpe watched him with sympa-
thetic eyes, but with lips that Obsti.
nately refused to say one word.
II left college ut nineteen because
my father died." Wallace went on. II
am now just twenty-one. A large es-
tate descended to me- and l have had
to care for its investment all alone.
have one sister; that Is ALL"
$50 have l" cried Thorpe and stop
ped.
THE estates have not suffered" went
on the boy simply. II have done we'll
with them. But" he cried fiercely. II
hate it. 1t is petty and mean and wor-
rying and nagging. Now, Harry,
have proposal to make you. 1t Is this:
You need $50, 900 to buy your land. Let
me supply 1t and come in as half part
ner."
An expression Of doubt crossed the
land lockers face.
"Oh, please" cried the boy. Il do
want to get in something real 1t will
be the making Of me-"
"Now, see here" interposed Thorpe
suddenly. "You don't even know my
name"
~ know you," replied the boy.
my name is Harry Thorpe" pursued
the other. MY father was Henry
Thorpe, an embezzler."
Harry" replied Wallace soberly. 81
am sorry made you say that. do not
care for your name, except, perhaps. to
put 1t In the articles Of partnership
and l have no concern with your an
cestry. tell you, 1t Is n favor to let
me In on this deal don't know any
thing about numbering, but I've got
eyes. can see that big timber stand
ing up thick and tall, and ! know PEG
pie make profits In the business"
Thorpe considered few moments In
silence.
wallace" he said gravely ut last, e!
honestly do think that whoever goes
into this deal with me will make mon