The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-03-15

MS 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 1t
alone. Without help Blaine could find
more veneer trees in a day than the
crew could drop and get out to the
decking grounds.
"But it's 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 wen be all set
when we commence to saw again. And
the devil of II is I'm only one hand
and there are only rwenty-four hours In
dayw He grinned. where's this
good man you told me about? letters?
Is that his Manner"
"Tim Jeffers? Over in the next
town. But | doubt he'll even listen.
He hasn't wanted job In three years.
Doubling isn't knowing" Ben said
grimly and the next afternoon drove
hard for LETTERS 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.
Pm 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
CfClJ lhihS uP " anu thSiuutuS uE6 dUu
he hasn't got me licked yet. Come
along with me, Tim LETTERS, and wen
run him into his hole!" A.
q But the man was obdurate and Ben
left him, chagrined and bit angered
at his failure.
"Brandon's got a 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 a 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.
5"And the agent, he wants to see you"
the man added automatically.
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 cautious tone, although
they were alone.
"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'u 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 1t
was taken off the truck while | was
handling baggage II wouldn't be bad
guess. But If certain parties knew 1
told you that much the railroad would
get such complaint about me that I'd
be out of job between days and don't
you forget It'll" q - -
"Oh, l see."- Ben looked at q cal
endar. at took them FIVE days TO get
1t back to me. Can't wait that long.
Give me a telegraph blank. I'll have
'em notify me by wire when they ship
and If have to meet trains myself :. :.
why. can do that, too"
The other nodded and gave Ben a
worried look.
81 sort of liked the way you did up
Duval in that log rollin'; and heard
about the trimmin' you gave him at
camp. And I'm -. Well, I've seen
enough raw stuff go on around this
mans town to feed me up. I'll help
you all / can but I've got kids to
think about"
Ben made wry face.
"Even children don't seem SAFE" he
said. Some Of us have got only our
dander invested in the particular fra
Gus I'm mixing in, but everything the
little McManus girl has got is at
stake"
"Yup. You're Little girl?"
"Yes. The McManus girl. She owns