Red River prospector. (Red River, Taos County, N.M.) 1900-190?, 1907-06-27

prefix from a long and skillful &C.
quaintance with that indispensable
lumberman's implement, the cant
dog" "peavy," or "spike-lever."
Pete was an expert on the landing.
having but one rival, and that was
his sweetheart's father, big, bony Pat
Shannon.
Too bad, but so, just the same.
Old man down on Pete like some
brick; but Pete he care no. Pete git
UNI girl just same, other time,
bunny"
This was volubly reeled off through
an expansive grin.
Pat had a fine contempt for Pete's
skillful manipulation of the 'peavy, -
in such neat tricks as back catching
a log, or giving the "peavy' a rapid
turn and a sudden jab, timing the
maneuver so accurately as to catch
the hook on the log while the 'peavy'
was rapidly revolving-a clever trick.
"Bastely monkey thricks, and a
monkey that's at thin sure. Faith,
the BLACKBOARD II break his iasely
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 vas particularly clever.
In fact, zone of the yardsmen dare
attempt il but big Pat.
1t "a to back catch a big rolling
stick, clap ones feet to the stick
and snap back on the "peavy" stock
with all ones might and strength.
II 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 a
broken limb, if not his neck.
This is the regular mode of stop
ping a small stick if one end is tray
cling too fast; but only an expert dare
tackle a big spruce with 60 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 n 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 Shannon's shanty,
and in consequence the dumb court.
ship and pantomime love-making rap.
idly progressed.
1t 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 burB Pat had just successfully
turned the big stick oye alone, with
apparent ease. A happy thought
struck him.
Say, byes, I'll bet ye an a|vening
sit-up wild me Nora there's divil a
man V We that can turn that sthick
alone"
They we're all very willing to try
for this tempting offer, ana did so
without avail-all but Pete"
We'll, Frenchy, We are in fer a
,urn?" bantered Pat.
Big job, don't it? All same Pete
try. No try, no upset girl"
Selecting two "c~ant-dogs" to his lik-
ng, he &refully tried the stick along,
to get in a 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
ng his other "peavy" on lower down,
~ a mighty effort he transferred his
shoulder to it, then slowly began to
itraighten again.
It was muscletrying work, with a
lead weight bearing on him; but slow
y the stick turned, and after the
ourth shift, with a mighty heave, he
lvercame a crook in the stick and
jver it went, and started unexpected
y down the skids toward the log
trucks.
Just then the landing men, hitherto
intent on Pete'S efforts, looked up and
simultaneously cry of terror broke
Coming lapaaWard them