Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-19


men came to the post to talk with JEAN
That little wart of mani" sneered Jean when
he had heard his story. "A week from to-day will
has any and atten him out so that the boss Can use
him to markthe place in his big book where he keeps
account of his mems wages
We all tried to keep Jean from doing too much
boasting for fear of frightening off the iumberman
who must have heard great deal of our trapper's
strength and courage; but there stopping the
headstrong fellows talk. And so, with many mis-
when he saw our giant, the match arranged
ONE week from that day every mothers son of u.s.
~ except of course the good father went with Jean
to the logging camp. And each one of US took what
spare money he had; for why should we not get
some of the easy money too, when the father was
it, every in the lumber camp had lost his
in that week, and was ready to back the little man
to the last cent against our Jean.
During the week we had prevailed upon lean to
hold his tongue when he came to the camp; but
when he stripped to the waist his great shoulders
and arms seemed to give Connors sudden sinking
of the heart. He didn't back out of the match at1y
to be sure; but he evidently looking for some
excuse and trying to stave things off long pos
sble. First he objected to Jeans heavy shoes but
that was adjusted by Jean, who removed them and
agreed to wreste in his stocking feet # the lumber
man would do likewise. Then he began wranglng
over the choice of referee, and it require ed long
argument before he finally consented to the factor,
although the other 1umbermen were quite willing to
trust his fairness from the first After that he found
fault with the spot OF ground that had been chosen
for ring, and it took fully quarter of hour to
find to his liking.
Evidently he getting and more afraid all
the time: And finally, when he made some excuse and
went to his shanty, leaving Jean sitting corner
and getting cold for full ten minu+ even some of
his fellow lumbermen joined haunting him.
AS for Jean, although he cool enough in body
his temper was up to fever heat. 1t no longer
matter of simply getting the money-he was sure
of that, whether the 1umberman wrestled or not
but the impudence of the stranger in conceiv-
ing the idea that he, fifty pounds lighter than
Jean and green fellow at that could come into the
woods and get the better of hardened woodsman in
the matter of strength, too much for mans
pride He would teach him his place., not merely by
taking his money, but by fattening him out like
bookmark, he said he would
So, when Connors reappeared from his shanty,
took his place at the ringside, and began removing
his shoes in a half hearted way, finding fault with
everything and making excuses Jean could stand it
no longer He strobe the ring his face purple
with rage, towering the 1umbernan, who
seemed to shrvel up before him. think Jean would
have struck him then and there if the factor had
pulled him back; but the factor could not pre-
vent Jean and the of from tongue flashing the
covering Connors. The things he heard ought to
have reused his fighting spirit if he had any but all
he said as he kept unlacing his shoes was:
What's the hurry? You've got all day. I'll
Finally, when he could find no more excuses for