The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-03-01

what are you getting at, BennyT"
Able demanded.
This" Ben hltched his chair close
to the table and with relish which in
Dictated the love of battle, skerched
| his plan.
BY noon that plan was in partial
operation. Bird-Eye Blaine, his duties
as barn boss temporarily delegated to
another, and Ben Elliott cruised through
the timber north of camp, belt axes in
their hands. And in the morning the
camp crew, augmented by fifteen men
from the mill, left off the work of
telling timber in strips, scattered
through the woods and dropped marked
trees. Swampers were with Them
clearing the way for teams that fol-
lowed close on the sawyers' heels and
drayed these high quality logs out to
the railroad.
Ben Elliott was everywhere. Bird
Eye knew his speciality, he determined,
and Ben let the little Irishman go it
alone. Without help Blaine could find
more veneer trees in day than the
crew could drop and get out to the
decking grounds.
"But it's a mans sized job to keep
your eye on such an operation!" Ben
declared to Able. 'I've got to watch
Butler and the mill, too. I've got to
think about markets so we'll be all set
when we commence to saw again. And
the devil Of 1t is I'm only one hand
and there are only rwenty-four hours In
a day" He grinned. where's this
good man you told me about? LETTERS?
Is that his name?"
"Tim Jeffers? Over in the next
town! But l doubt he'll even listen.
He hasn't wanted job in three years."
'Doubting isn't knowing" Ben said
grimly and the next afternoon drove
hard for Jeffers' little farm clearing.
The old logger met Elliott with an
eye that seemed at first to be hostile
but which on closer observation proved
to be only one of severe appraisal.
$50 you're after camp foreman"
he said. "No, I've quit the timber for
good, Elliott. I'm through. A man
has trouble enough without hunting it.
I'm not young man, son. I've no
years nor strength any more to put
into another mans losing fight"
1--WE won't lose. Brandon's tried
everything up to and including fire and
he hasn't got me licked yet. Come
along with me, Tim LETTERS, and we'll
run him into his holei"
But the man was obdurate and Ben
left him, chagrined and bit angered
at his failure.
"Brandon's got crimp in the whole
country" he muttered as he drove on
toward camp. "And here l am, trying
to do four mems work. Tough nut?
I'll tell the world!"
In lineup he drove to the express
office to inquire for the new piston
head for the locomotive which was
due. He wanted to start loading his
veneer logs and getting them out to
the siding as rapidly as they came from
the woods. He had signed contract
with the time for delivery specified
and wanted to run no chance of de-
lay.
But the repair part was not there.
Got the bill of it," the station agent
said. "But it hasn't shown up. Ought
to be along tomorrow"
However, the next day did not bring
the repairs and the driver of Ben's
supply team reported the fact to him.
"And the agent, he wants to see you,"
the man added systematically.
didn't that piston head come YETI"
Ben demanded angrily of the supply
teamster after the mans next trip to
town.
81 told you the agent wanted to see
you"
The others manner was doggedly
mysterious and Elliott, without further
questioning. harnessed and drove to
Lineup.
The agent shook hands cordially and
drew him inside the tiny ticket office.
He spoke in a cautious tone, although
they were alone.
1.-THE messenger on the train says he
put that engine part off for me the
night the bill came through. 1t amt
here and I'm takin' a chance of losing
my Job just telling you even that much"
Ben frowned.
"What are you driving at? It's not
here and you'll lose You mean, the
express company'll hold you response
BILE for an article lost out of the de-
pot?"
"That don't worry me. The ship
ment came in and never saw it and
if was to tell you that the only thing
that could've happened was that it
was taken off the truck while was
handling baggage it wouldn't be a bad
guess. But If certain parties knew I
told you that much the railroad would
get such complaint about me that I'd