River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-06-06

G6Ce was al expert Oh Lie lduulnSs
having but one rival, and that was
his sweetheart's father, big, bony Pat
Shannon.
Too bad, but 50, just the same.
Old man down on Pete like some
brick; but Pete he care no. Pete git
UNI girl just same, other time,
bumby."
This was volubly reeled off through
an expansive grin.
Pat had fine contempt for Pete's
skillful manipulation of the "peavy,'
i'd such neat tricks as back catching
a log, or giving the "peavy" rapid
turn and sudden jab, timing the
maneuver so accurately as to catch
the hook on the log while the 'peavy"
was rapidly revolying-a clever trick.
"Bastely monkey thricks, and a
monkey that's at thin sure. Faith,
the blackguard II break his jasely
neck some fine day, and small loss
it i'll be aither," Pat would say in fine
scorn
The last part OF this remark had
reference to another dangerous feat
at which Pete was particularly clever.
In fact none of the yardsmen dare
attempt it but big Pat.
1t was to back catch big rolling
stick, clap ones feet to the stick
and snap back on the 'peavy'' stock
with all ones might and strength.
If successfully performed, the stick
is stopped from rolling and slowly
slid along the slippery skids to a
standstill
If caught too high, over goes the
daring artist, with the chances OF
broken limb, if not his neck.
This is the regular mode of stop
ping a small stick If one end is trav
cling too fast; but only an expert dare
tackle a big spruce with so to 100
cubic feet in it.
Pat was very proud of his pretty,
red-cheeked daughter, Nora, and kept
her pretty close to her little cabin at
the foot of the mountain. He didn't
allow any of the husky young lumber
men around his shanty He had other
plans for Nora
One day in passing the cabin Pete
had got one enhancing glimpse Of this
rustic beauty, and promptly blew a
kiss to her; then as promptly fell in
love with her as she laughingly blew
it back.
After this Pete had lots of business
down by yard boss Shannons shanty,
and in consequence the dumb court
chin opd poutopniroo lowe m q limo Ta n
idly progressed
It was a little slack on the landing.
The loose timber had been loaded
onto the waiting log trucks, except
ing a big spruce with over 100 cubic
feet in it.
Big burly Pat had just successfully
turned the big stick over alone, with
apparent ease. A happy thought
struck him.
Say, byes, I'll bet We an avening
sit-up wild me Nora there's divil
man ave We that can turn that sthick
alone"
They We're all very willing to try
for this tempting offer, and did SO
without avail-all but Pete
Well, Frenchy, We are in fer
turn?' bantered Pat
Big job, don't it? All same Pete
try No try, no upset girl
Selecting two "cant-dogs' to his lik-
ing, he carefully tried the stick along,
to get in position SO the weight
Of the ends would be evenly balanced,
and then he hooked his "peavy' on
low down and got under it.
Slowly, his small, wiry body
Strengthened and with it came the
stick, until he stood straight. Catch
ing his other "peavy" on lower down,
BY a mighty effort he transferred his
shoulder to it, then slowly began to
straighten again.
1t was muscle-trying work, with
dead weight bearing on him; but slow
II the stick turned and after the
fourth shift, with mighty heave, he
overcame a crook in the stick and
over it went, and started unexpected
" down the skids toward the log
trucks
Just then the landing men, hitherto
intent on Pete,s effort. looked up and
simultaneously a cry of terror broke
frora their lips.
Coming up the landing toward them
was Nora Shannon.
The slowly revolving stick, each in
slant gaining speed down the slight
incline, caught her eye.
She glanced rapidly around for an
avenue of escape. Each side Of her
were RICH rollways of logs; behind her
20 feet of landing and four-foot drop
to the empty truck; before her, death
She was brave. quick-witted girl,
born amid danger; and without a mo-
ment's hesitation she turned to make
a run for it. She had not taken ten
steps when her foot slipped on an
icy skid and she went down, with one
agonizing appeal for help.
"Oh, father. Pete! Save mel"
At the outset Pat had seen the
danger, and with a hoarse cry of
agony had darted forward and made
. wild lunge at the rolling stick
His hook pulled through the bark,
and he fell sprawling on his back,
and the stick rolled on toward the
doomed girl
1t was then that her agonized cry
rang out
Pete had stood painting after his ex-
treme e1ertions, in stupefied horror;
but as her voice appealed to father