Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-28
CHAPTER XVII.


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 undlsput-
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 Roth Shearer and Thorpe agreed
that it would not do to he too ambitious
the first year. They sN 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
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
20.0O0.OO0. That railroad III get along
a ways by then, and men II be more
plenty"
Through the lengthening evenings
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. Tie old man thought Of moth
ing but logging. Nothing was too small
to escape his deliberate scrutiny. Moth
ing was in 50 perfect state that it did
not bear enc more inspection. He
played the logging as a chess player
his game.
In the mca's camp the crew lounged,
smoked. danced or played cards In
those days no one thought of forbid
1
who had b,en too busy to remember
Pills violir, strolled over and looked
through the window. A dance was in
progress. The men were Waiting.
whlrlng solcmnly 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 c-ncker box sat Phil.
His head was thrust forward almost
nggressively over his instrument and
his eyes Elared at the dancing men
with the old wolfike CLEAN. AS he
played he drew the bow across with a
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. It was
atrocious. 1t was not even in tune
The performer seemed to grind it ont
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, chow dc
you like your f1ddler?"
"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
such as this is Supremacy effective Il
requires careful handling to keep il
good humored and willing. He knew
every man by his first name and eacl
day made it point to Talk with hin
for moment or so. The subject wa.
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 request, but listened to 1t non
committally and later without expla
nation or reasoning acted MS his judg
ment dictated. Even Shearer. will
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,
tenmstcr came in 10 make some objec
ton to the cooking. AS matter o
fact. the cooking was perfectly good
but the lumber jack Is n great hand I
growl. and lie usually begins with hi
food.
Thorpe listened to his vague objcc
tons in silence.
"All right" he remarked simply.
Next day he touched the man on til
shoulder just as he was starting t
work.
''Step into the office and get you
time" said he,
"Whats the matter?" asked the maj
II don't ncod you any longer"
The two entered the little offic'
Thorpe looked through the ledger an
van book and finally handed the ma
his slip.
"I'll have no GROWERS in this camp,
said Thorpe with decision.
"By thunder" cried the man. you
"You get out OK here" cried Thorp
with a concentrated blaze of energet
passion that made the fellow step bacl
Il amt goin' to get on the wron