davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-12-16
CHAPTER u.

Shortly after nine o'clock, Whisper.
foot encountered his FIRST herd Of deer.
But they caught his scent and scat
tered before he could get up to them.
He met Woof. grunting through the
underbrush. and he punctiliously, but
with wretched spirit. left the trail. A
hght with Woof the bear was one Of
the most unpleasant experiences that
could be imagined. He had a pair Of
strong arms Of which one embrace Of
q cougars body meant death in one
long shrek of pain. OF course they
didn't fight often. They had entirely
opposite interests. The bear was
berry-eater and 4 honey-grubber, and
the cougar cared too much for his own
life and beauty to tackle Woof In q
hunting way.
A fawn leaped from the thicket in
front of him. startled by his sound In
the thicket. The truth was, Whisper
foot had made a wholly unjustifed
misstsp on q dry twig. lust at the
crucial moment Perhaps It was the
fault Of Woof. whose presence had
driven Whisperfoot from the trail.
and perhaps because old age and stiff
ness was coming upon him. But
oeither of these facts appeased his
anger. He could scarcely suppress
snarl Of fury and disappointment.
He continued along the ridge. still
stealing. still alert, but his anger in
creasing with every moment. The fact
that he had to leave the trail again to
oermit still another animal to pass,
and a particularly Insignificant one
TOO. didn't make him feel any better.
This animal had a number of curious
stripes along his back. and usually did
nothing more desperate than steal
eggs and eat bird fiedglings. Whisper
foot could have crushed him with one
bite. but this was one thing that the
great cat. as long as he lived. would
never try to do. He got out of the
way politely when Stripe-back was
still n quarter of a mile away; which
was quite a compliment to the little
animals ability to introduce himself.
Stripe-back was familiarly known ms
a skunk
Shortly after ten the mountain lion
had remarkably fine chance at a
buck The direction of the wind. the
trees the thickets and the light were
all In his favor. II was old Blacktai).
wnIiowing in the salt Hex: and Whis-
perfoot's heart bounded when he de-
tected him No human hunter could
have laid his plans with greater care.
lie had to rur up the side of the ridge.
nir'lfuI of the wind. Then there was
a long dense thiclset In which he
mi.ht approach within fifty feet of
the lick. still with the wind In his
face. Just beside the lick was another
dern 'hc,et. from which he could
make his leap.
His body lowered. The tail lashed
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-12-16

rife. He knew what Dan meant He
understood perfectly that Dan had
guessed his purpose on the mountain
side. And the curl ut his lips became
more pronounced.
What a smart little boy" he
scorned. "Going to be Sherlock
Holmes when he grows up" Then he
half turned and the light in his eyes
blazed up. He was not ieering now.
The mountain men are too intense
TO play at insult very long. Their in
herent savagery comes to the surface,
and they want the warmth of blood
upon their fingers. His voice became
cultural. Maybe you're a spy?" he
asked. Maybe you're one of those city
rats-to come and watch us. and then
run and tell the forest service There's
two things. Failing. that | want you
to know"
Dan puifed at his pipe. and his eyes
looked curiously bright through the
film of smoke. I'm not interested in
hearing themss' he said.
1T might pay you" Cranston went
on. "One of 'em is that one mans
and 1t wouldn't do you any good TO
run down and tell tales. man can
light his pipe on the mountain side
without the courts being Interested.
The second thing is-just that l don't
think you'd find 1t a healthy thing to
do"
II suppose. then, that is threat?'
TT amt Just a threat Cranston
laughed harshly-a single. grim syl-
liable that was the most terrible sound
he had yet uttered. IT'S a fact. Just
try 1t, Failing. Just make one little
step in that direction. You couldn't
hide behind girls skirts, then. Why.
you city Sissy, I'd break you to pieces
in my handsi''
Few men can make a threat without
muscular accompaniment. Its very
utterance releases pent-up emotions,
part Of which can only pour forth in
muscular expression. And anger is a
primitive thing. going down to the
most mysterious depths of mans ma
ture. As Cranston spoke, his lip curled
his dark fingers clenched on his thick
palm. and he half leaned forward.
Dan knocked out his pipe on the
log. 1t was the only sound in that
whole mountain realm; all the lesser
sounds were stilled. The two men
stood face to face. Dan tranquil. Grams
ton shaken by passion.
II give you," said Dan with entire
coldness. ian opportunity to take that
back. Just about four seconds"
He stood very straight as he spoke.
and his eyes did not waver in the
least. 1t would not be the truth to say
that his heart was not leaping like
a wild thing in his breast. A dark
mist was spreading like madness over
his brain; but yet he was striving to
keep his thoughts clear. Stealthily,
without seeming to do SO. he was set
ting his muscles for a spring.
The only answer to his words was
laugh-a roaring laugh of scorn
from Cranston's dark lips. In his
laughter. his intent, catlike vigilance
relaxed. Dan saw a chance: feeble
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-12-16
BOOK LIBERALIZATION.

CHAPTER I.-Warned by his physician
that he has not more than six months to
live. Failing sits despondently on a park
bench. wondering where he should spend
those six months. A friendly squirrel
practically decides the matter for him.
His blood is pioneer blood. and he decides
to end his days in the forests of Oregon
Memories of his grandfather and a deep
love for all things of the wild help him
In reaching a decision.
CHAPTER HIN a large southern Ore
gon city he meets people who had known
and loved his grandfather. a famous from
tiersman. He makes his home with Silas
Lennox, typical westerner. The only
other members of the household are Lon
nox's son. BILL" and daughter, Snow
bird" Their abode is many miles from
civilization" in the Umpaua divide. and
there Failing plans to live out the short
span of life which he has been told is his
His extreme weakness in the face of even
a slight exertion convinces him that the
doctor had made a correct diagnosis of
his case
CHAPTER Iu.-From the first Faiing' 5
health shows a marked Improvement. and
in the companionship of -Lennox and his
son and daughter he fits into the woods
life as II he had been born to 1t. BY
quick thinking and a remarkable display
of nerve" he saves Lennox's life and his
own when they are attacked by a mad
coyote. Lennox declares he is a rein
carnation of his grandfather. Dan Fall
ing /. whose fame as a woodsman Is a
household word.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-12-16
lad seen II. She fairly Ieu,e,l

4
had seen II. she fairly Ieniei
Her warm. round arms ar,ui'h I.
neck. and the softesi. iovc.ies lips
me world pressed his. Bun in liza
days he didn't have The srrenrih 'n'r
he had now. He felt he coiil, e,i,',s
the same experience again with %
embarrassment whnterer. His i'si i,ii
preston then. besides nboundirg ~.
credible astonishment. WAS tlnf 81,
had quite knocked out his breath, R.,'.
let 1t he said for him that he rrto,
cred with notable promprnrss IN
own arms had gone IN and ..lr.'a'
around her. and the girl had wrirgira
free.
but you mustn't do that," she told
him.
but, good Lord. girl yon dis II
to mel Is there no Justice in wn,n.r p
But I did II to thank Won for this
lovely gift. For remembering me-
for heing so gond-and considerate.
You haven't any cause to thnn' me"
He had many serious difficulties in
thinking it ont. And only one ron-
clusion was obtainable-that Snowb'rd
kissed as naturally as she did ANY,
thing else. and the kiss meant exactly
What she said It did and no more.
But the fact remained that he would
have walked good many miles far
ther If he thought there was any pos.
sibility of repeat.
But all at once his fantasies were
suddenly and rudely dispelled by the
Intrusion of realities. Dan had heen
walking silently himself in the nine
needles. AS Lennox had wondered at
long ago. he knew how by instinct:
and instinctively he practiced this at.
tainment as soon as he got out into
the wild. The creature he had hen I'd
was fully one hundred yards distant.
vet Dan could hear him with entire
plainness. And for while he couldn't
even guess what manner of thing II
might be.
cougar that made so much noise
would be Immediately expelled from
the union. A wolf pack. running by
sight, might crack brush as freely:
but wolf pack would also hay to
wdfe the dead. OF course II nigh. lie
an elk or steer, and still more likely,
bear. He stood still. and listened.
The sound grew nearer.
Soon It became evident that the crea.
ture was either walking with two legs,
or else was four-footed animal put.
ting two feet down at the same in
stant. Dan had learned to wait. He
stood perfectly still. And gradually
he came to the conclusion that he
was listening to the football Of an
other man.
But 1t was rather hard to Imagine
what a man might be doing on this
lonely hill. OF course 1t might he a
deer hunter; but few were the valley
sportsmen who had penetrated to this
far land. The football was much TOO
heavy for Snowbird. The steps were
evidently on another trail that inter-
sected his own trail one hundred yards
farther up the hill. He had only to
stand still. and in an instant the man
would come in sight.
He took one step into the thickets
prepared to conceal himself II II be-
came necessary. Then he waited. Soon
the man stepped out on the trail.
Even at the distance of one hundred
yards, Dan had no difficulty whatever
in recognizing him. He could not
mistake this tall. dark form. the soiled
slouchy clothes, the rough hair. the
intent. dark features. 1t was mnn
about his own age. his own height
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-12-16
BOOK Two-THE DEBT.

CHAPTER I.-Dan. now thoroughly
proficient in woods lore. learns from Len
nox that an organized band of outlaws.
of which Bert Cranston Is the leader. is
making trouble In the vicinity. Landry
Hildreth. former member of the gang.
has been induced to turn states evidence,
On his way to the city Hildreth is way
laid by Cranston. shot, and left for dead
Cranston, however, overlooked the fact
that Hildreth might have documentary
evidence on his person, and is satisfied
that his enemy will never reach the city
to tell what he knows of the operations
OF the gang.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-12-16
SYNOPSIS
PROLOGUE.

In the little town of Gitcheapolis small
Dan Failing dreams boyish dreams, tine
tured with melancholy over his supposed
physical weakness. There. years later.
he meets Destiny.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04
CLEARS UP WAR
RISK PROBLEMS

fare organizations, public health off,
GERS. local posts of the American Le-
gion army and navy hospitals and
chambers of commerce.
This pamphlet will also be supplied
free OF charge to anyone who will adj
dress the Office of the assistant to the
secretary of war, Council of Nationo,
pefense building. Washington, d. C.
All Fully Explained.
In this booklet government insur-
ance for men who were In the service
Is fully explained-how premiums are
10 be paid after discharge; how pres.
ent insurance is converted into the six
dlHerent forms of permanent policies
now provided; how lapsed policies are
reinstated.
The more difficult subject of com.
pensation is described. This Is gov-
eminent allowance paid to ex-service
men and women for injury or disabil
ity in line of duty. and is entirely son.
afate and apart from any benefits of
war risk insurance. The ax-soldier is
shown how to apply for compensa-
ton through the United States pub.
he health service or any American Le-
gion post. The difference between com.
pensation for temporary and perma.
nent disability is described at lenrtb
and so-called partial permanent disa.
bility. as well.
considerable misunderstanding seems
yet to exist among disabled service
men on the subject of compensation
when vocational training is undertake.
en-. Compensation is not forfeited IN.
der vocational training. In no case
can mans money income from the
government be diminished and in some
cases he may receive more. It's source
may change, but its amount cannot be
decreased.
Solution Made Clear
Allotment problems are fully entered
Into and their solution made clear
The method of putting in regular
claim for unpaid allotments in the case
OF discharged men Is explained. AL.
lotmeniS are of two kinds-one kind
Is paid by the bureau of war risk in.
'N'tb''' li4t piiltI nv the ulrpftOr OF
finance. This is expected TO clean IN
very shortly the claims which ex-sery
Ice men still have against the govern
ment.
In an army of 100000 men there
are many questions arising which can.
not be answered in general terms.
When unusual circumstances surround
insurance, compensation or allotments
information may he obtained I'm spe-
cific cases from any chapter of the
American Red Cross. or by addressing
Lieut.. Col. Mathew c. Smith. office of
The assistant To the secretary of war
service and Information branch. Coun-
I'll or National Defense building,
washington, ID. c.. who will also sup
ply copies of the pamphlet.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04

Back in Conwards office, while the
agreement was being drawn, Irene was
possessed of consuming desire to
consult with Dave Eden. She was
uneasy about this transaction in which
her mother proposed so precipitately
to invest the greater part of their lit
tie fortune. II think would hesitate,
mother" she cried. IF you buy this
house we will have only few thou
sand dollars left. Your health may de-
mand other expenditures"
my health was never better" Mrs.
Hardy interrupted. "And I'm not
going to miss chance like this, health
or no health. You have heard Mr..
Coward tell how many people have
grown wealthy buying property and
selling it again. And I will sell it
again-when l get my price,"
ut is as your mother says" Con-
ward interjected. There are very
rapid increases in value. would not
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04
USE WAR ARTS
IN PEACE TIME

from single machine-gun nest to a
fun battery of artillery they had been
taught TO read their maps. The men of
our own divisions from ranking Off
GERS to scout privates, became skilled
at tin time but ii was difficult work
at first We were not map reading
people. Men in the service who two
years ago would scarcely have attempt
ed TO find their way from point to
point within single county would at
present know precisely how to orient
themselves anywhere in France II sup
piled with Frances excellent cartes
topographiques. The same can be done
In this country once the necessary
maps are available. 1t is merely a
question of utilizing the arts of war in
times of peace. 1t is an important en-
terprise now happily under way. If
the government completes it the pub
lies interest will be equaled only by
its gratitude.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04

stances, mainly-in exchange for prop.
erty which we know to be worth next
to nothing"
yet you admit that we must clean
up, don't you?'
Yes, l suppose So"
And there's no other way. Dave
SAID Coward, rising and placing his
arm on his partners shoulder, II sym.
pathize with your point of view, but,
my boy, it's pure sentiment, and senti-
ileni has no place in business"
Dave dropped the subject. There
appeared to be nothing TO gain from
pursuing 1t further. They were In the
grip of system---a system which Ind
found them poor, had suddenly made
mem wealthy, and now. with equal
suddenness, threatened to make them
poor again. II was like war-kill or
be killed
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04
Bulletin Issued by Government
Bureau Answers All Sol.
dier's Questions.
MAKE CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EASY
Government Insurance for Men Who
Were in Service Is Fully Explained
Difficult Subject of compen-
sation Made Clear.

Washington.-In order to answer the
innumerable questions as to insurance,
compensation and allotments that come
up from time to time, the Office of the
assistant to the secretary of war. in
charge of soldier unemployment and
welfare has issued pamphlet de-
signed to help ex-service men solve
their individual problems. 1t is known
as Bulletin No. 6, and may be had
from army, navy and marine recruit
Ing offices, employment agencies, well
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04

by quarreling, Dave" he said. Set
us get at the facts. When we have
agreed as to facts, then we may agree
as to procedure"
Shoot" said Dave. He stood with
his shoulder toward Coward, watch.
ing the dusk settling about the footblll
city.
Il think" said Coward tive can
agree that the boom is over. We have
done well, on paper. The thing now
is to convert our paper into cash"
Dave turned about. "You know
don't claim to be any great moralist
Coward" he said, land have no pitv
for gambler who deliberately sits in
and gets stung. Consequently l am
not troubled with any self-pity, nor
any pity for you, and If you can get
rid of our holdings to other gamblers
I have nothing to say. But If it is to
| be loaded onto women who are in
vesting the little savings of their lives
women like Bert Morrison and Mrs,
Hardy-then am going to have a
good deal to say" Dave went on with
rising heat: IF business has to be
done that way, then say to h-with
business!"
Il asked you not to quarrel" Con-
ward returned, with remarkable COM
posture. II suggested that we get at
the facts. Now, granting that the
boom is over, where do we stand? We
are rated as millionaires, but we
haven't thousand dollars in the bank
at this moment. This"-he lifted Mrs.
Hardy's check-"would have seen us
over next payday, but you say the
firm must have nothing to do with it.
And which is the more iinmoral-since
you have spoken of morality-to ac-
cept labor from clerks whom you can't
pay or to sell property to women who
say they want it and are satisfied with
the price? We have literally thou
sands Of unsettled contracts. We
must keep our staff together. We have
deDts to pay, and we owe it to our
creditors to make collections so that
we can pay those debts. and we can't
make collections without a staff. Why.
on the property we are now holding
the taxes alone will amount TO twenty
thousand dollars a year. And 1 put
1t up to you, if we are going to stand
on sentiment, who's going to pay the
taxes"
Il know; know" said Dave. whose
anger over the treatment of the Hair
dvs was already subsiding. eve are
In the grip of the system. Still-in
war they don't usually kill women and
That is the point I'm
trying to make. I've no sentiment
about others who are in the game as
we are. If you limit your operations
to them"
'The trouble is, you can't. They're
wise. Most of them have already
moved on. A few firms, like ourselves,
will stay and try to fight it out; try,
at least, to close up with clean sheet,
If we must close up. But we can't
wind up bushes without selling the
stock on hand, and to whom are we to
sell If not to people who want it? That
Is what you seem to object to-"
''You place me in rather an unfair
light" Dave protested. "What l OBJ
ject to is taking the life savings of
of moderate circum-
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04
Love and Insanity
Are Twin Ailments

New York Love and insanity
are twin ailments in the opinion
of Magistrate Sweeser in the
West Side court.
Clair Degenhardt, an ardent
husband, began "A 3O-day Jail
sentence today, because he court
ed his wife too wildly. Love me
or die" he told her, leveling n
gun at her. She loved him.
"A week ago another man told
me he was in love" said the
magistrate, II sent him in Belle
vue. The question is whether
love and insanity are not the
same"
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04

be surprised if you should be offere,
an advance of ten thousand dollars OF
this place before fall"
There must be an end somewhere,
Irene murmured, rather weakly.
But her mother was writing check
Il shall give you five thousand dollar.
now" she said, "and the balance wher
you give me the deed, or whatever i
is. That is the proper way, isn't it?'
"Well, it's DONE" said Irene with ar
uneasy laugh which her excitement
pitched little higher than she had
intended.
In an adjoining room Dave Eden
heard that laugh, and it stirred some
remembrance in him. Instantly he
connected it with Irene Hardy. The
truth was Irene Hardy had been In
the background OF his mind during
every waking hour since Bert Nor
rison had dropped her bombshell upon
him. And now that voice
Dave had no plan. He simply
walked into Conward's office. His eye
took in the little group and the mind
behind caught something of it's por-
tent. lrene's beauty! What a quick
enlng of the pulses was his as he saw
in this splendid woman the girl who
mad stirred and returned his youthful
passion! But Dave had poise. He
walked straight to Irene.
Il heard your voice." he said in
quiet tones that gave no hint of the
emotion beneath. 81 am very glad to
see you again. He took the hand
which she extended, in firm, warm
grasp; there was nothing in it, as
Irene protested to herself, that was
more than firm and warm, but it set
her finger tips a-tingling.
my mother, Mr.. Eden" she man.
aged to say, and she hoped her voice
was as well controlled as his had been.
Mrs. Hardy looked on the clean-built
young man with the dark eyes and the
brown, smooth face, but the name sug-
gested nothing. "You remember"
Irene went on, II told you of Mr.. Ell.
den. 1t was at his ranch we STAYED
when father was hurt"
"But ! thought he was a cow punch
er!" exclaimed Mrs. Hardy.
Times change quickly in the West,
madam said Dave. Most of our
business men-at least, those bred in
the country-haye thrown lasso in
their day. You should hear them brag
of their steer-roping yet in the Ranch
mems club"
Irene's eyes danced. Dave had al
ready turned the tables; where her
mother had implied contempt he had
set up note of pride.
"Oh, l suppose" said her mother
for lack of better answer. EVERY
thing is so absurd in the West. Rut
you were good to my daughter, and to
poor, dear Andrew If only he had
been spared. Women are so unused to
these business responsibilities. Mr.
Coward. 1t is fortunate there are
few reliable firms upon which we can
lean in our inexpelience."
Mother has bought a house." Irene
explained to Dave. 1--WE thought this
was safe place to come A look
ON Elden's face caused her to pause.
why, what is wrong?' she said.
Dave looked at Coward at Mrs.
Hardy, and at Irene. He was instant
ly aware that Coward had "stung"
them. 1t was common knowledge In
inside circles that the bottom was
going out. The firm of Coward &
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04
(TO BE CONTINuED)
Cattle Eat Rubber Cakes"

Experiments at Singapore have
shown that feeding cake for cattle
and other stock can be produced from
the residue of Para rubber seed sitter
the extraction of an oil comparing ia
vornbly with linseed oil.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-06-04
Makes MONKEYS of Them,

Eddyville, Ky.-The sale of miniature
monkeys carved from peach stones his
netted Sam Patrick. Simpson county
convict, more than $500 in three years.
He has invested $3.50 in war savings
stamps.