Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-05-07
CHAPTER I.
THE LIMBERLosT GUARD.

RECKLES came down the cor.
III duroy that crosses the lower
III end Of the Limberlost- At a
glance he might have been
mistaken for q tramp. but he was In
tenSely eager to belong somewhere and
to be attached to almost any sort OF
enterprise that would furnish him
food and clothing.
Long before he came In sight OF the
Camp Of the Grand Rapids Lumber
company he could hear the CHEEKY
voices of the men and the neighing or
the horses. and could scent the tempt
In. odors 81 cooking food. A feeling
of homeless frieudlesSness swept over
him. He turned into the newly made
road aud followed 1t to the camp.
The men were Jovially calling back
and forth as they Embarrassed tired
horses that fell into attitudes OF rest
aud crunched. in deep content the
grain given them. AS he wiped the
fianks of his big bays with handfuls OF
papaw leaves. Duncan. the brawny
Scotch head teamster. softly whistled.
"Oh wha will be my dearie. OH" and
q cricket under the leaves Mt his feet
ACCOMPANIED him. Wreathing tongues
Of Fame wrapped about the black ket-
ties. aud. when the cook lifted the
lids gusts of savory Odors escaped
Freckles approached him.
IL want to speak to the boss.' ne
said
The cook glanced him over and an
swered carelassly. "He cant use you.
The color flooded Freckles' face. but
he said simply. "If you will be having
the goodueSs to point him out we Will
give him a chance 10 do his own talk
ing"
With q shrug Of astonishment, the
cook led the way TO broad. square
shouldered man. mir. Mclean. here
another man wanting to be taken ON
the gang. I suppose" he said.
"All right" came the CHEEKY answer
u never needed good man more
than do Just now"
mo use Of your bothering with thii
fellow" volunteered the cook. "Ht
has but one hand"
The lush on Freckles' face burned
deeper. His lips thinned to mere
line. He lifted his shoulders. took
step forward. aud thrust out his right
arm. from which the sleeve danglec
empty at the wrist.
: THAT will do. Sears" came the voice
of the boss sharply. 'T will interview
NV man when l have finished this re
port
Frecklrs stood one instant as he haf
braced himself to meet the eyes OF th'
manager. then his arm dropped and
wave Of whiteness swept over him
The boss had not even turned bis heat
to see the deformity pointed out 4
him. He had used the possesavc
When he said my man" the hungr!
heart Of Freckles went reaching ou
after him. The boy drew quiverini
breath. Then be whipped OF bis oil
hat and beat the dust from 1t care
fully. With his left hand he caugh
the right sleeve. wiped his sweat,
face. and tried to straighten bis hal
with his fingers. he broke a spray o
ironwort beside him and used the pur
Die blossoms to beat the dust frou
his shoulders and limbs.
Mclean was q Scotchman. Tue me-
of his camps had never known him .
be In a hurry or to lose his temper
Discipline was infexible. but the bos
always was kind. He shared cam
life with his gangs. The only vislbl
signs of his great wealth consisted o
n big, shimmering diamond stone Q
ice and fire that glittered and burne
on one of his fingers and the dainty
beautiful, thoroughbred mare he rod'
No man of McLean's gangs coul'
honestly say that he had ever bee
overdriven or underpaid They al
knew that up In the great timber CIT
several millions stood to bis credit.
He was the only son Of that Mt
Lean who had sent out the finest snip
ever built In Scotland That ~ 20