The San Francisco call., 1910-07-31
JAMES NJ. TELLOM

and the weekly stage had just arrived.
Although not expecting any mail,
save from a distant relative who wrote
once In a long while, it was his habit,
as 1t was with all the ranchers ana
their families to gather outside the
little wooden building and exchange
news.
Snow had been falling for the last
two weeks, and even though there was
promise OF clear weather for the val
ley, the high mountains on the east
and west were still being swept by
the storm Altogether it was dis
agreeable day.
When Tim reached the office the
usual large crowd was on hand await
ing the distribution of the mail.
Hear the latest?' shouted Bill
Glenn. who with some others was
seated on a bench before the hardware
store Tim approached the group
"They say that the Thompson outfit
is snowbound in Marble canyon and
hasn't turned a wheel in six days."
ventured the BARRIERS son.
who says SOP
FATTY Jack, the Injin. He just come
in from Joshua fiat. He says he could
see the outfit from Windy summit. but
that he couldn't get down to it on ac-
count Of the storm. Then he fired off
his gun, but nobody answered. Fatty
saws that all the mules are down or
have got away Here comes Fowler
and Rossi They're trying to get up
iof
to GO It's dangerous the way it's
storming up there and no one cares to
take chances. You know what hap
pened to the last relief two years ago
Now, Thompson. the freighter. under
contract with the Big Nugget mining
company. operating in the Ubeheba
mountains, 80 miles east, had started
from Little Pine 10 days before with
12 animal and a 16 animal team. lie
was loaded with lumber and mining
machinery. Being two days late ana
knowing that even now work had been
suspended at the mine for want or
material, he started in the storm, hop
ing to be over the summit before the
snow became too deep According to
Fatty Jacks account he had succeeded.
only to be stalled in Marble canyon on
the other side of the range.
The constable and the Indian joined
the crowd in front Of the postoffice and
looked over the silent, sober faces.
Men" began Fowler, "the Thompson
outfit is hard pressed in Marble canyon.
You all know the long line skinners
and their swampers. They're all good
fellows and now they need help. Who'll
volunteer, men? Who'll volunteer to
make up strong party to go out and
get themT'
A dead silence followed his words.
Come now" he urged, wed do the
same for you-any of you. Wen leave
in an hours time and travel all night.
It's only 80 miles and Well not strike
heavy going for 10. Who'll conner
1T was then that Tim Bender left
his seat and took his place by Fowler's
side. The constable looked around.
.You, Tim?' he said In surprise. II
don't know-your mother. Tim"
II volunteer. Mr.. Fowler" broke In
the boy decisively, and the man, press
ing Tins hand. smiled his admiration.
But Tim was only 16 years old What
could he hope to do to make himself
useful under these circumstances? The
expedition needed men-stalwart men;
men able to face and endure hardships
of most trying nature This boy
would be in the way. Many in the
crowd shook their heads doubtingly.
Besides, Tins mother was widow and
he was her only child.
The women present were indignant
that he should be allowed to take part
In venture involving so much danger.
So. when Tim reached home 1t was to
find the small sitting room crowded
with ranchers' wives and daughters,
each and all protesting against the
boys rash act and endeavoring to gain
Mrs. Bender's support OF their argu-
ments. But. as Tim paused in the
kitchen to listen. he heard his mother
say:
II think my boy has done the only
right thing and 1 am proud to know
that he Is so manly-so considerate of
the welfare of others. 1t is the way 1
always want him to be. and / wouldn't
think of turning him from the path of
duty"
So an hour later the relief Marty left