Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-09-08


leaving home.
Young Norcross soon became vitality
engaged with the problems which con-
fronted McFarlane. and his possible
enrolment as guard filed him with a
sense OF proprietorship in the forest
which made him quite content with
Bear Tooth. He set to work at once
to acquire better knowledge Of the
extent and boundaries Of the reServa.
ton. 1t was, indeed. a noble posses
sion. Containing nearly $4,000 acres
of woodland and reaching to the sum
mits Of the snow lined peaks to the
east. south and west, 1t appealed to
him with silent majesty. 1t drew upon
his patriotism. Remembering how the
timber Of his own state had been slash
ed and burned. he began to feel sense
Of personal responsibility.
He bought horse Of his own. al.
though Berrie insisted upon his retain.
ing Pete. and sent for a saddle Of the
army type. and from sheer desire tc
keep entirely clear of the cowboy
equipment procured puttees like those
worn by cavalry officers. and when be
presented himself completely uniform,
ed. be looked not unlike a slender
young lieutenant Of the cavalry on field
duty. and in Berries eyes was won
drous alluring.
He took quarters at the hotel. but
spent u larger part Of each day in Ber.
RES company, a fact which was duly
reported to Clifford Belden. Hardly
a day passed without his taking at
least one meal at the supervisors home
AS he met the rangers one by one
be perceived by their outfits. as well as
by their speech, that they were sharp
~ divided upon old lines and new. The
experts. the men bf college training.
We're quite ready to he known as I'm
Gle Sans men. They held u pride in
their duties. respect for their supe.
riors, and IN understanding of the gov.
ernmental policy which gave them dig.
nifty and u quiet authority. They were
less policemen than trusted agents Of l,
federal department. Nevertheless. there
was much to admire lin the older men:
who possessed self reliance. a knowl
edge OF nature and a certain rough
grace which made them interestin.
companions and rendered them effective
teachers OF camping and trailing. and
while they were secretly Il little con.
temptuous Of the 'schoolboys," they
were all quite ready to ask for expert
aid when knotty problems arose. 1t
was no longer Il question Of grazing.
1t was question Of numbering and
demonstration.
Nash, who took an almost brotherly
interest in his apprentice. warningly
said: You want TO 80 well clothed and
kinds Of weather. Every man in the
service-I don't care what his technical
job is-should be schooled in taking
care Of himself in the forest and OH
the trail. ! often meet surveyors and
civil engineers. experts, who are help
less as children in camp. and when
want them to go into the hills and do
field work they are almost useless. The
old style ranger has his virtues Settle
is just the kind Of instructor you young
fellows need
Berrie ALSO had keen eyes for his
outfit and his trimming. and under her
direction he learned to pack a horse.
set a tent. build q fire in the rain and
other duties.
You want to remember that you
carry your bed and board with you"
she said. land you must be prepared to
camp anywhere and at any time"
The girls skill in these particulars
was marvellous to him and added to
the admiration he already felt for her.
Her hand was as deft, as sure, as the
best Of them. and her knowledge Of
cayuse psychology more profound than
any Of the men excepting her father.
One day toward the end OF his Sec
ond week in the village the supervisor
said: "Well. now. If you're ready to
experiment III send you over to Settle.
the ranger. on the Horseshoe. He's a
little lame on his pen hand side, and
you may be able to help him out May
be I'll ride over there with you.
want to line out some timber sales on
the west side Of Ptarmigan."
This commission delighted Norcross
greatly. I'm ready. sir, this moment"
he answered. saluting soldier-wise.
The next morning as he rode down
to the office to meet the supervisor he
was surprised and delighted to find
Berea there I'm riding too." she an
non n"al deliehtedly- i've never been