The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-10-10
The
Last Sandpiper
By WALTER JOSEPH DELANEY


prompted him to come to Bristow. 1t
was one of the farthest north sta
lions Of the old Hudson Bay Fur COM
pany, a settlement nearly hundred
years old, and what it had been in the
past country aged pioneers told him 1T
was now. Desolation surrounded;
when winter-bound it was completely
Isolated from civilization. In the ac-
tive trading season it had a certain at
mosphere of briskness, but there was
nothing of change or promise. TO the
newcomer unused to the climate after
months sojourn the one impulse was
longing desire to get away.
AS he sat in the main room Of the
grimy shell of house called the hotel,
Archie's mind went back over the past
ut all well in his little Iowa home
town. He was not content to settle
down to a few dollars week. He told
Nellie Boyd SO.
II shall become a free lance" he de-
clared to her. "It may be a ranch,
the mines, land preemption, oil, but
I'm going to get the right start in life.
Have faith in me, Nellie, but I'm COM
ing back rich.'
"Oh, rich or poor, what is it to me-"
brokenly sobbed Nellie, $50 that you
do come back?"
"Some fine day." dreamed on the
ardent visionary, 'Ill burst upon the
town here, pockets full of money, heart
packed with the old true love for you !
Yes, I'll spin into the dead old burg in
the best automobile cash will buy
painted blue, Nellie dear, the color of
your lovely eyes,"
Then--the ranch, the mines and all
the cratic program, and bad luck
everywhere. Then some one limited at
Canada, and, following one hazy lead
after another, Archie had landed at
BriStOw.
In the dusk he sat meditating, pay.
ing little attention to what was going
on until he was attracted by the bois
ferrous, flamboyant exuberance of a
veteran trapper just returned from his
trip north.
Poor season, lads" reported this
newcomer, pipe, bottle and companion
ship lending q satisfied glow to his
rugged face. Got some superb small
skins, though. Silver fox and mink,
never had finer coats, and they'll bring
good price. Up at Mirror lake came
near losing pack, dogs and all. A big
white bear cornered us in sort of
hummOck cave. The old monster had
me down when sandpiper fiuttered
over us. His cry made bruin turn his
head 1t was. my minute. l had my
knife in hand. struck out dead.
quick, once, twice, thrice and he top
pied over"
What was it at these words that
caused Archie to start, then to grope
mentally for a hazy, half-obliterated
memory? He listened no further to the
narrator, but sat striving to analyze
the mere wedge Of a "Reminiscences.
"Tye got 1t |" he suddenly 6reathed
and arose to his feet and restlessly
paced the floor until the old trapper
lures Archie approached him.
Friend" he said in a casual way,
81 heard you speak of sandpiper."
"Eh? Oh, yes, funny thing, but
hadn't seen one before for over three
years."
"What kind of a sandpiper was it"
pressed Archie.
1.-THE genuine old spoonbill. Why,
say, twenty years ago they were thick
as caribou, sort of died out. 1t was
like meeting an old friend. Oh, yes
friend indeed, for the critter saved my
life"
"Do you suppose there are many
still up around Mirror lakeT
II don't, but they're there, If any
where. 1t used to be famous brood
ing place. What's your interest.
stranger?"
"Oh, / was just reading about how
scarce they had become" was Archie's
off-handed reply.
He was, indeed, interested and al
though he acted Indifferent his mind
was stimulated wildly. He went up to
his room and took from his trunk
newspaper. Such were not frequent ar
rivals at ~BristOw and when they did
come they were treasured. Archie un-
folded the newspaper till he came to
an item he had read over and over
MANY times. 1t ran thus:
"a strange quest for the spoonful
sandpiper will SOON be begun by a
group of scientists backed by John e.
Major, one of Chicago's foremost or
nithologists and millionaires. The bird
is one of our rarest birds. There is no
specimen IN the Museum of Natural
History. The nest and eggs Of the
bird have never been found. The ex-
pedition will sail North next year to
seek the old haunts of the bird"
Ten days later, cherishing his secret
and his great hopes, Archie with an
Indian guide haunted the vicinity of
Mirror lake In quest that became an
hourly inspiration. Three months later
he reached Chicago, bronzed. almost
Jcnniless, carrying a tall box Of light
weight containing spOonbill sand
piper.
"You have spoiled a much-antici
pated expedition, but your specimen Is
priceless" said Mr. Major, as he hand
ed Archie a check that made him feel