Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-12
CHAPTER l.
Wherein a spiritless Man and Rogu

Wherein spiritless Man and Rogue
Appear.
The trail to Kalvik leads down from
the northward mountains over the
tundra which TANKS the tide fats,
then creeps out upon the salt ice OF
the river and across to the village. 1t
boasts no travel in summer, put by
winter an occasional toil-worn tray
e1er may be seen issuing forth from
the Great Country beyond, bound for
the open water; while once in thirty
days the mailteam whirls out of the
forest to the south, pauses one night
TO leave word Of the world. and then
ls swallowed up in the silent hills.
Kalyik, to be sure, is not much OF
place, being hidden away from the
main travelled routes to the interior
and wholly unknown except to those
interested In the fisheries.
A Greek church, a Russian school
with q cassocked priest presiding,
aud, about a hundred houses, beside
the cannery buildings, make up the
village. At first glance these can
nsriss might convey the impression
OF Z considerable city, for there are
ten plants, in all, scattered along
several miles Of the river-bank; but
In winter they stand empty and still,
their great roofs drummed upon by
the fierce Aric storms, their high
stacks pointing skyward like long
frozen fingers black with frost.
There are the natives, Of course, but
they do not count, concealed as they
are IN burrows. No one knows their
number, not even the priest VINO
gathers toll from them
Early one December afternoon there
entered upon this trail from the tim
berless hills far away to the north
ward q weary team Of six dogs, driven
by two men. It had been showing
since dawn, and the dim sled tracks
were hidden beneath six inch nun
which rendered progress difficult ana
called tho whip into cruel service. A
gray smother sifted down sluggishly,
shutting out hill and horizon, blend.
ing sky and landscape into blurred
monotone, playing strange pranks
with the eye that grew tired trying
60 pierce it
The travellers had been plodding
sullenly, hour after hour, dispirited by
the weight OF the storm, which bore
them down like some impalpable, re-
sistless burden. There was no
-eality in earth, air or sky. Their
On was rested by no spot Of color
themselves, apparently swim
ming through Rn endless, formless
atmosphere of gray.
"Fingerless" Fraser broke trail. but
to Boyd Emerson, who drove, he
seemed to be a sort of dancing doll
bobbing and swaying grotesquely, as
II suspended by invisible wires AT
times. it seemed to the drivers
whimsical fancy as If each Of them
trod a measure in the center OF a col
,orless universe, something after the
fashion of goldfish floating in globe.
Eraser pulled up without warning
and instantly the dogs stopped,
straixhtway beginning to soothe their
trail-worn pads and to strip the ice
pellets from between their toes. BUT
the .wheelers' were too tired to make
the effort, so Emerson went for"aro
and performed the task Tor tnem'
while Fraser fioundered back and sank
to sitting posture on the sled.
.rWhew!" he exclaimed. this 10
xnre tough. X I don't see tree or
sonething With enough color to bust
this monotony I'll go dotty.
aAnother day like this and we'd
both be snow blind" observed Elmer
son xrfmly, az he bent to his task.
ABut it can't be far to the river now.
"This fall has covered the trail till
have TO feel It out with my feet.
rumbled Fraser. When step on
fo one side I 70 in up to my hips. It's
Hike walking a plank a foot deep III
feathers. and feel like was a mile
shove the earth In a heavy fog After
q moment he continued: Speaking
az feathers, how'd you like to have
triad chicken q la Maryland?"
nah,t mt" said the man at the
ssWell, 1t don't do any harm to
mink about It," growled Fraser, good
nat,Iredly. He felt out pipe from
RID rocket and endeavored unsuccess-
s,Ilv to blow through it, then COM
planned:
like man can't practice no vices
whatever in this country. I'm glad I'm
getting out Of It,"
$50 am L." agreed the younger man.
Having completed his task, he came
hack to the sled and seated himself
beside the other.
GAS 7 was saying a mile back yon-
der, Fraser resumed whatever made
YOU snatch me away from them blue
coated minons Of the law. don't
know. You say it's for company, to be
sure but we visit with one another
about like two deaf mutes Why did
you do it, Boz
"well, you talk enough for both
of us."
eyes. but that amt no reason why
YOU should lay yourself liable to the
fsnuare-toes.' You amt the kind to
take chance just because you're lone
some"
Il picked you up because of your
moth eaten morals, dare say was
tired of myself, and you interested
me. Besides" Emerson added, re-
aectively. 81 have no particular cause
70 love the law, either
That's how l sized it, said Fraser,
wagging his head with animation, l
4 ind NJ q