The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-05-05
The Fatal
Blow
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By CALVIN HENDRICKS


Nobody in the logging camp knew
why Big Pierre and Happy Jake had
uarreled-nObody except those two
themselves. They had been the best
Of friends, though III assorted. Big
Pierre, quiet, grave. simple, and Hap
py, so called from his hilarity when
he returned from playwright visits to
Mulligan's shack, where whisky was
dispensed In violation of the laws.
The cause of the quarrel was as
elemental as those of all Quarrels
among the lumbermen. Happy and
Pierre had discovered that each
loved the same girl; more accurate
ly. Pierre had won MignOnne away
from Jake, though till Jake pulled
her photograph from his coat and
cursed his unknown supplanter he
himself had not known who was the
man he had succeeded In Mignonne's
affections.
That they did not fight it out was
because 1t was too serious matter.
Happy intended to think out his plans,
and Pierre acknowledged In his
heart that, when Happy gave the
signal. he must be prepared to do
battle, even to. the death, should Hap
py demand 1t.
1t was pay night and Pierre sat
modify beside his bunk. He was
wondering what Happy would do.
Then shouts were heard and In rushed
a crowd of lumbermen.
"Pierre !" they yelled. You're the
only man has power over Happy. He's
in Mulligan's, fighting drunk, and
there'll be murder done unless you
get him away"
Instantly their quarrel was forgot
ten. Big Pierre reached Muliigan's
just as Happy staggered to the TIRES
hold, flashing long lumberman's
knife.
"Happyv' cried Pierre. Come with
me. You are not a match for all
that crowd. Gomez"
For answer Happy lunged at him.
Pierre lodged and ran into the pine
woods, Happy laundering behind him.
Crafty Pierre was trying to draw
Happy away from Mulligan's.
Happy pursued him like mad bull,
stabbing at him with the long knife.
Pierre saw that he must act decisive
ly. He turned suddenly, lodged the
knife, and sent Happy sprawling with
a blow On the point OF the chin.
The blow was enough to kill a
man, and Pierre had put all his force
into it.
Pierre tried to recall him to- con-
sciOusness but in vain.
The nearest doctor lived Is miles
away, and Pierre started on the tramp
along the trail.
It was about two in. the morning
hammering upon the door of his cot
tage In the village Of Beddington.
He thrust on some clothes and hurried
down.
Two bodies lay PROSTATE In the
snow. He carried them inside. He
found indications of life in one OF
them.
Two hours later Pierre, opened his
eyes suddenly and groaned.
"There. / guess you'll be all right
! now" said Doctor Renaud. "YOu
may lose a toe or twO-but hope
not. If you hadn't had that burden
to keep your blood stirring"
SIS Happy alive?" asked Pierre.
Doctor Renaud glanced at him
through narrowing eyelids.
'You have been carrying corpse
for the last couple Of hours, Pierre
he answered. "Who killed him?"
81 killed him." groaned Pierre,
with my fist SOP He made a
motion to explain, but the arm
dropped helplessly at his side. "We
had auarreled, and he came at me
with his knife. I struck him on the
jaw"
"Here is your knifei said Doctor
Renaud. -
Pierre glanced down at his Agirdle.
81 have it. There is no blood on 1t.
You could not have killed Happy with
your knife" said the doctor.
mo, with my fist groaned Pierre,
and told the doctor the whole story.
When he had ended Renaud laid his
hand on his shoulder.
''Pierre," he said, Happy died from
a stab through the heart. Your blow
was nothing He was practically dead
even before you struck him. And you
carried him fifteen miles through the
fOrestl You did this for the man
who sought your life."
"No," answered Pierre happily. 81
did it for Mignonne