The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-06-23

go anead because IL any demOnStra-
ton Is going to be of account It's got
to show profit. and big timber hold
ings can't be carried along any more
without operating. You and Gorbel
got the mill up and running, the best
mill ever built You got the chemical
plans operating. You were going to ex-
ercise your agreement with Gorbel and
buy him out and we'd go to 1t
you and l. Together
He extended one hand In little ges-
ture.
"And when l thought I was ready
for that. I went up to Witch Hill. I'll
admit now that 1t was a bitter dose.
But took 1t, didn't I? stayed on
longer than you'd said I'd have to stay
before getting my finger into the
Kampfest thing. I've been waiting for
months for word that | could drop 1t,
and the word has never come.
1--WE wound her up. When knew
you and mother were going today
got the last of the equipment loaded,
the last chore done. and high-tailed
down here without even stopping to
buy civilized clothes because thought
Kampfest at last And instead
of that I'm told that am now super
intendent at Belknap Severn
His lax fist fell on the desk, and he
nodded as If wearied.
His father shifted and ratified the
sheet Of paper he held.
That's the trouble with you young
CATERS. Don't have the CUTS to wait.
Got to jump in and learn jobs from the
top down. Stuffed shirts, for God
knows how many years; yes-men. You
won't take the time to learn from the
bottom up!"
Doesn't that mean anythingT John
asked with curt gesture towards the
paper in the age-mottled hands.
The mans eyes dropped to that
scrawl, written on the letter-head of
the Witch Hill Lumber company. He
read it once more:
ITO whom 1t may concern, dear sir.
John Steele has worked as camp fore
man here for one year. He is only a
kid but as good logger as ever wore
SOA. INcSpy u. mClScE SupI.
The lowering of mis- face concealed
from the sons burning eyes the pride
which swept 1t, and John could not
know the warmth which re-reading the
words generated again In the old heart,
nor the chagrin and fear at what he
was now doing. But the belittling
grunt and the dismissing gesture as he
tossed the letter back to the desk top
made the boy stir on his feet and
tighten his lips.
SANDY" old Tom growled. "San-
dy, writin' recommendation lie
laughed. Think he's ever done that
for anybody before? Not much Why,
he was SO ratified be left out the only
part of your name that counts Done
1t for you because he liked you AS
my old timers always we done, be
probably babied you from the time"
"Babied" The interruption was hot
with anger. "Babied me, did he?
On funny babying, I'd call It'll" He
laughed bitterly. 81 know what went
ahead of me to Witch Hill. Sandy
told me when 1t was all over. You
ordered him to see what kind of
Belknap was left after the college
professors got through with onel You
told him to make it as rough for me
as he knew howl"
Tom nodded again, that brisk, irate
gesture.
"And what of it?"
"This!" John flung his cap into a
chair and slapped the desk. 81 didn't
squawkl / didn't even ask for fair
break. 1t was June, with the black
flies so bad Sandy couldn't keep road
builders in the woods. He put me In
there with what he mad left of a crew
and | stuck. | was the only one of
the gang | started with who stayed
through, and when we wound up | was
boss
did | get something better then?
Guess again! swamped, drove
team, | went with the loading crew,
and every place | was put | set the
pace for the rest of 'em. Yeah. Col
lege boy. Getting sand-papered be-
cause he was son of the push!'
-Four things I'd proved | could do
better than anybody else there. Four!"
holding up the fingers of trembling
hand. Saws next Could | get a
partner to stay with me even at the
money | made for him? | could not !
They brought in Finn who'd never
found man to stand his pace; he
hoisted his turkey the ninth day and
xryifh ~ koI
when Swanson got sick there was
nothing else to do but put me in to
run the show, was there?
Stuffed shirt? Yes-man? H.
siri"
"My," said old Tom with forced
sardonic mildness. my, you're proud,
amt you?
The boy caught his breath as though
for stormy denial; checked himself
and Jared:
You're id right, ami 1t showed
what | can do on one job; it gave me
something to go on when | ask for the
bigger one that's been promised mel"
His voice trembled. You'd admit ii
to anybody else. too; you'd admit 1t
of any other kid who turned the trick.
Then. sir, why the devil won't you ad-
NIT II to and about me?"
His fist fell to the desk again, but
this time with sharp thud. Tom
Belknap's eyes left that accusing gaze,
and he stared once more through the
window.
"No," he said dryly, as If to end de-
bate with himself, and the suggested
alteration of his face which had
threatened. perhaps, melting, soft
ening, came to nothing. at goes back
m uhoro We startpd. that I'm RIM