The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-12-29


governing the fishing industry Of the
river which were to be passed by the
respective legislatures OF the two states
Dan Lapham was committeeman from
the northside.
1t was the night of the day upon
which the agreement had been reached.
Peace was at last declared between the
toilers of the Columbia. The north
siders were not to extend their trap
building any farther south and the
southsiders agreed to cross a certain
line with their nets which was settled
upon as the center OF the stream
through the fishing waters.
The active and exciting life OF the
fishermen had its influence upon their
manner of obtaining pleasure and rec
reation. They did not cultivate the
intellect as a whole. In fact only
few turned their attention to books.
Athletes by nature the men devoted
much time to athletics. They bad
their ball grounds, tennis courts aud
club rooms. Indoor sports were as
much in favor as their outdoor sports.
As hand ball players the village team
stood ready to challenge any of the
cities. Football and baseball playing,
in their respective seasons, found these
fishermen in the field opposing the
best teams in the country.
Aside from athletics, dancing was
the magic means Of amusing both
young and old. No week ever passed
during the season that the fishermen
did not engage in this pastime It
was an occasion in which all took a
part and the large hall provided for
the purpose was always crowded. A
fisherman is never too old or too young
to dance.
Dancing was the means Of celebrat-
ing all important events. No higher
tribute could be paid an individual or
event than by giving a ball. 1t was
the zenith point in bestowing honors.
The settlement of the dispute be-
tween the northsiders and southsiders
occasioned the greatest ball in the his
tory OF the northside village They
were weaker in numbers but had won
out in measure and were determined
to celebrate the occasion in a fit and
proper manner.
There were honers due to many and
the fishermen were not slow to bestoW
these upon the deserving ones. The
occasion of peace come on for its share,
In fact it was called the great peace
ball. While there were individuals
who shared the honors, Captain Bud
long and his men were the honored
guests. Dan Lapham had distinguished
himself ON the water and as a commits
sioner in settling the trouble and San
kala was the heroine of the hour. To
Captain Budlong and his men she was
the most conspicuous parsonage at the
mouth of the Columbia The fishermen
were SO accustomed to excitement Of river
life, the act OF the girl in saving the
boatload of soldiers was not looked up
on as a much out of the ordinary,
though they all recognized in Sankala
a remarkable young women.
The hall was decorated as it had
never been decorated before. The floor
was waxed with greater care, and mu-
sicans had been employed from the
nearest town. The rude fsher-folk were
decked out in their best garments The
women took unusual care with their
toilets. When the ball room was filled
at an early hour, the people of hefshing
village presented very good appear
ance. The soldiers, many of them from
the city, were surprised to see the presto
change from the rugged men OF the fish
traps, and the careless girls of the beach
to the gallant and gay figures OF the
ballroom.
Human nature is much the same
among all classes, and it was not ma
terially different among the fsher.iolk.
Many of them had gathered early. The
momen were seated in groups, and
commenting on those who entered lat
er. Young boys and girls were skip
ping across the hall in a frolicsome,
aimless manner. Old men sat in the
corners and locked on in silence.
A faint cheer rose over the room.
Captain Budlong entered accompanied
by Hazel Seadog. The applause was
for the captain,
"Ia Sankala coming?" asked one of
the women of another.
"She promised after long persuasion
to come. But she only agreed to re-
main a short time. Rirgwod is about
6AuduSlGu lIOlH MS NOTh WIN lle
wounded and Sankala does not think ii
right anyway, to celebrate while the
wounded are so low. she thought it
wrong to give the ball while Old Seadog
is lying at the point OF death"
at doesn't seem to worry Hazel, his
daughter" remarked another woman
who was watching the rich fisher
mans child, wreathed in smiles while
she entertained the captain of the mill
tia.
The crowd had gathered and the
grand march and qGadrille that follwed
were over All were seated again when
a slight sensation near the door caused
the pleasure seekers to look in the di-
rection. The soldiers commenced to
applaud, and confined until the house
fairly shook. Dan Lapham and Sankala
had just entered.