Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1911-05-19


kaW by one A. Burrows"
k&S.G@ He leaned his axe
against the foot of the tree, pushed
his dingy old white hat back on his
shock of brick-red hair, hitched up
his trousers by the belt, and again
read the notice. There was no mis-
taking it, There was a rival claim
ant for this patch of timber in the
almost impenetrable wilderness of the
Olympics, where for more than year
he had abided with the proud feeling
Of possession.
Claim jumping, in a mining way,
was not a new thing to him, but here
4n the big woods it seemed little
out of place. 1t was bewildering, and
the method of it's fighting would be
new. He sat down on small log
and looked at the staring white sign,
as if trying to read from it a solution
of the difficulty. He might tear the
notice off the tree, but that wouldn't
do any good. Now, sf only it were
mining claim, the procedure would
be simple, namely, take gun and
fill the Jumper" full Of lead.
Sandy Strengthened himself up and
sighed He had decided that this
should be the method in this case, If
he were driven to it.
I'm the peacefullest cuss that ever
lived" he mourned as he turned
away, "but they're always gettin' me
do but shoot Then l gets shot up
some, may be, and am sorry heap,
because I had to shoot the other fell
low up"
The world looked pretty forlorn to
him, as he picked his way along
trail through the woods to his cabin,
and for once the birds and squirrels
who knew him and expected greeting
were given no recognition.
His path led through timber such
as but few men know; it was a I'll
tanic forest of monstrous trees in
which he wandered a pygmy. Here
and there a giant had fallen, sending
his three hundred feet of length
crashing downward to a resting place,
and presenting a twenty-foot barrier
to those who would cross him in his
proneness. Perhaps another giant,
having lived out his life of hundreds
of years, had dropped across the first
and still others piled themselves on,
until the barrier was completely I'M
crossable.
Around one of these distractions,
the troubled Sandy came in sight Of
his cabin, where it nestled in a little
clearing, with all it's evidences of
habitation. From the doorway a
three-legged dog arose, and, with
much effort, gave home greeting.
Even in the stress of his trouble, the
tall master stopped long enough to
pet the waiting head and take a
kindly look into the eyes that sought
his
Dick" he said we've been pards
ever since I dragged you out from
under a street car, way down in
Seattle, and we've most always had
some kind of a home since then; but
now they're goin' to try to take this
one away from us and make us hit
the trail again.
Dick seemed to understand. al
though he said nothing. He was not
q taIkative dog. his strong point be-
ing sympathy. He felt the gravity of
the situation, and hobbled after his
master into the cabin.
n Thar you go again." Sandy re-
proachfully said as he entered this
time addressing his remarks to Il mis-
tchievous wood-mouse who calmly sat
ON a shelf and looked at nim while
washing off with Els dim.nutive fore
paws the unmistaEable signs of -four
dust from his whfskers.
Here I Tugs a sack of -four twenty
miles into the woods. and you jest
won't let it alone. even when l makes
friends with yon and feeds you till
you're fat" The mouse showed no
sign of fear, and with twinkling eyes
continued his toilet, as Sandy, with
arms akimbo, stood in front of him
and delivered his scolding. Well
you little cuss." he concluded, you
nin't like men, you don't know no
better" He laid a coaxing hand on
the edge Of the shelf. and the mouse
accepted the truce by scamp ering up
Sandy's arm to his shoulder.
Sandy prepared his home|y woods
mans appetite, and seated himself
with lighted pipe on a bench in front
of his cabin. But this night there
were no interludes of whistling or
singing; his trouble was upon him.
1t seemed strange that through all
the years, stretching away back to
those of the desert sands, when he
had been alternately packer. cow
puncher, miner. or woodsman, he who
loved peace and quiet should be COM
PEELED always to fight. and fight, and
eight. Now he was facing another
eight "Old Miss Trouble must have
been my godmother," he said aloud,
as he prepared for his nights rest.
81 banker after the peaceful life, but
I'm goin' to kill any damn man that
tries to git this claim, an the man
might as well be A. Burrows as B.,