Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-03-01


said he. To appeal to the charity of
such q man would be utterly useless.
Orde saw this point. He picked up his
seins and spoke to his team.
A huge rivermaD planted himself
sQuarely in the way. The others, ris-
Ing slowly surrounded the rig.
He drove deliberately ahead. forcing
khe men to step aside, and stopped his
horses by stub He tied them there
and descended. A huge form appear
ed above the river bank.
Orde made out the great square fig
ure of the boss. his soft hat. his fam
ing red beard, his dingy mackinaw
coat. his dingy black and white check
ed flannel shirt, his dingy blue trousers
tucked into high socks. and, instead OF
driving boots, his ordinary lumber
mans rubbefs. In a moment he thrust
through the brush and stood before
Orde. He stared at the young man,
and then, with n wild Irish yell, leap
ed upon him. Orde, caught unawares.
was unable to struggle against the 81
rantic rlverman. He was pinned back
against the wall, and the Rough Reds
face was within two feet OF has own.
"And how are ye, ye ouid u"li!ht!
shouted the latter. with roll OF oaths.
"Why, Jim Bourke!" cried Orde.
The Rough Red jerked him to his
feet and pounded him nightly ON the
back.
"You ould snoozer." he beloved.
"Where tn blankety blank did ye
come from? Byes," he shouted to the
men, "its me ould boss on tn Au
Sable six year back-that tine. ye
mind whin we had tn ice jam! Glory
be, but I'm glad to see ye!
81 didn't know you'd turned into the
Rough Red" laughed Orde.
The Rough Red grinned.
what have ye been doin'"
"That's Just It. Jimmy" said Orde,
drawing the giant one side, out OF
ear shot. "All my eggs are in one
basket. and It's a mean trick OF you
TO hire out for filthy lucre to kick that
basket"
"What do ye mane?' asked the
Rough Red.
"You don't mean TO tell me-" coun-
tered Orde, that this crew has been
sent up here just to break out those
measly little rollways"
"ThimY said the Rough Red.
Thin? Not much! Thims my body
| guard. They can lick their weight In
wild cats, and I'd lolke well to see tn
gang of highbanlsers that infsts this
river thry to pry thin out. We were
| sint here to foight. Me boss and tn
| sucker that's droiven this river has
q row on"
"Jimmy," said Orde, didn't you
know that I am the gentleman last
mentioned? I'm driving this river,
and that's my dam-keeper you've got
hid away somewhere here. and that's
my water you're planning to waste!
what" In a tone Of vast aStonisb-
ment, the Rough Red mentioned Ills
probable deserts in the future life.
LUX here, Jack" said he after a
moment, "here's crew Of white water
birlers that We can't beat nowheres.
What do We want us to do? We're
now gettir' 81 a day and board irOm
that murderin' ould villain HeinZman,
so we can afford to wurrk for ye
cheap"
Orde hesitated.
"Oh, please do now, darlintr' whee-
died the Rough Red, his little eyes
agleam with mischief. "Sind us some
more peavies, and We'll hilp ye on yure
rollways. And till US afore ye go
how ye want this dam, and that's tn
way she'll be. Come, now, dear. ana
amt We short handed now"
Orde slapped his knee and laughed.
"This is sure one deuce OF joker
he cried. ut sure be!
"Pll take you boys on" said Orde
at last, "at the usual wages-dollar
and a half for the jam, three for tho
rear. doubt If you'll see much or
Heinzman's money when this leaks
| ont