Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-01-02
TOnerS of the Columbia
BY P4UL DE L4NEY
thor Of Lord Of ne
nd okher
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carrying the command of Captain Bud
long had kept mp constant patrol Of
the river day and night and no at
tempt had been made on the part Of
the southeiders to renew hostilities.
In fact committees had been ap-
pointed consisting OF fishermen from
each side OF the river to arrange dupli-
| cate bills governing the fishing indus
try of the river which were to be
passed by the respective legislatures Of
the two states. Dan Lapham was q
committeeman from the north side.
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
southsideis agreed not to CROSS certain
line with their nets which was settled
upon az the center of the stream
through the fishing waters.
The active and exciting life Of the
fishermen had it's influence upon their
manner of obtaining pleasure and rec
reation. They did not cultivate the
intellect as whole. In fact only a
few turned their attention to books.
Athletes by nature the men devoted
much time to athletics. They had
their ball grounds, tennis courts and
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 young or too old
to dance.
Dancing was the means of celebrat.
ing all important events. No higher
tribute could be paid an individual or
event than by givinga bali. 1t was
the zenith point in bestowing honors.
The settlement of the dispute be-
tween the northsiders and southsiders
occasioned the geratest 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 honors 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 we're individuals
who shared the honors, Captain Bud.
long and his men were the honored
guests. Dan Lapham had dis
tinguished himself on the water and as
commissioner in settling the trouble
and Sankala was the heroine of the
hour. To Captain Budlong and his
men che was the most conspicuous per-
sonage at the mouth of the Columbia.
The fishermen 80 accustomed to the ex-
citement of river life, the act of the girl
in saving the boatload of soldiers was
not looked upon as a much out of the
ordinary, though they all recognized
in Sankala remarkable young woman.
The hall was decorated as it had
never been decorated before. The floor
was waxed with greater care, and mu-
sicians had been employed from the
nearest town. The rude fsher-folk
were de:ked out in their best garments.
The women took unusual care with
their toilets. When the ball room was
filled at an earlv hour, the people OF
the fishing village presented very
good appearance. The soldiers, many
of them from the city, we're surprised
to see the presto change from the rug.
ged men of the fish-traps, and the care.
less girls of the beach to the gallant
and gay figules OF the ballroom.
Human nature is much the same
among all classes, and it was not ma
terially different among the fisher-folk.
Many of them had gathered early
The women were seated in groups, and
commenting on those who entered lat
or. Young girls and boys were skip
ping across the hall in frolicsome,
aimless manner. Old men sat in the
corners and looked on in silence.
A faint cheer rose over the room.
Captain Budlong entered accompanied
by Hazel seadog. The applause was
for the captain.
"Is Sankala coming?" asked one OF
the women OF another.
"She promised after long persuasion
TO come. But she only agreed to re-
main short time. Ripgwold is about
exhausted from his work with the
wounded and Sankala does not think it
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"
"It doesn't seem to worry Hazel,
his daughter remarked another
woman who was watching the rich fish.
erman's child, wreathed in smiles,
while she entertained the captain OF
the militia.
The crowd had gathered and the
grand march and quadrille that fol-
lowed were over. All were seated
again when slight sensation near the
door caaused the pleasure seekers 10
look in the direction. The soldiers
I o.-1orI n-I 4