Image provided by: Josephine Community Library Foundation; Grants Pass, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Or.) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 1941)
Illinois Valley News, Thursday, October 9, 1941 Vaniihed Men By GEORGE MARSH CHAPTER I Penn. Publishing Cu W.UU. Service at his wife's troubled face before he answered: “You noticed some thing?” "Noticed something? The place seems scared to breathe! When I asked Cotter who this Isadore was who has the big store-house here, he looked at me as if I was throwing a gun on him.” Again the eyes of McLeod and his wife locked. “What did Cotter tell you?” "Why, he said Isadore was a big fur man on Lake Waswanipi. He had a depot here because all his stuff went in from the railroad, But when I asked him if any prospec tors were going fnto the Chibouga mau this way he acted like a scared rabbit. I understand that three par ties who tried it were reported drowned in the rapids. But what’s mysterious about that?” demanded Finlay with assumed innocence. McLeod’s pale blue eyes squinted hard at his caller. "Young man. I've been on this section of steel only six months. My business is rail roading. Your job is surveying for the government. What’s going on in the bush two hundred miles north of here ain't my business. Is it yours?” Finlay slowly smiled. “Then there is something going on in the bush north of here,” said Finlay. “I’ve had my answer.” “Yes, you’ve had your answer.” admitted McLeod, drily. "But, mind you, I’m deaf, blind, and dumb." Finlay took a sheet of paper from his wallet and folded it to expose a single line of writing at its foot. He leaned and showed the folded sheet to the station agent. “I wonder if With a grinding of brakes the Im perial Express came to a stop at Nottaway, a huddle of log buildings •nd frame shacks buried in the eter nal spruce traversed by the Canadi an National. Beyond the clearing a steel bridge spanned the upper Nottaway River which flows north to James Bay. The attention of the idlers at the shack of a station was suddenly focused on a russet-haired giant carrying a cased gun, duffel bag and a surveyor’s transit, who blocked the platform door of a sleep er. He swung to the ground fol lowed by a wide-shouldered young man with penetrating agate-gray eyes. From the Scotch station agent, who nodded, to two half-breeds who whispered, heads together, as they watched the travelers, the gray eyes missed nothing. The strangers left their dunnage and started for the head of the train. Reaching the staring half-breeds, the larger man stopped. ”Bo’-jo’! What's the secret, Mac?" he threw at the surprised pair. Blood leaped to their sullen faces as one said: "Nobody spik to you!” “But you strain your eyes looking, don't you? You’re figuring what my name and age is and where I'm from? Well, I always aim to please. I’m four years old; my name's Ma rie and I've forgotten where I'm I from! That help any?” The listening group of loungers waited w'th caught breaths as the scarred face of the taller breed filled with blood. His yellow eyes blazed as they measured the man who slouched, big wristed hands on hips, smiling at his discomfiture. For an instant his right hand hovered over his coat pocket, then left it as his companion seized his arm. "You look for troub’ here?” he snarled. "Brother, I thought you were after information,” drawled the amused giant. "And I was giving you some. Of course, if you can't use it—Well, a'voir, M’sieu’l” With a careless wave of his hand the russet-haired young man joined his waiting com panion. “Don't start unything here. Redi” cautioned the dark man. ’‘It’s too early. We've got to look around, But you sure got the goat of that Burntwood.” “I meant to! That bird looks like a bad boy to me. He needs a spanking." “Good job somebody did on his face with a knife!" At the head of the train the trav elers found a blocky individual slid ing an eighteen-foot Peterboro canoe from a baggage car. His high cheek bones, slits of eyes and crow-black hair marked a strain of Indian blood. Watching the proceeding fretted a huge airedale. “Xobody spik to you; “All right. Blaise,” said the man with the gray eyes, “we'll give you you’d recognize that handwriting. u hand!" The airedale leaped on the speak Mr. McLeod?” he asked. While his wife peered over his er who grasped the dog’s hairy jowls. "Hello, Flame, old partner! shoulder, McLeod read the line The bush smell good after the train, aloud: “I don’t believe those six men boy?” Depositing the canoe on the slant were drowned.” The station agent nervously of the railroad till, the man called cleared his throat. “Never saw that Blaise said: "Wc handwriting before!” he replied, grub off! Dis train with a shake of the head, while Fin time!" Shortly a heap of dunnage and lay caught a look of suppressed ex in Mrs. McLeod’s pink provision bags lay beside the track. citemet The square-built Blaise tossed the face. "You don’t think that anybody in canoe to .¡is shoulder and started Nottaway wrote that letter, then?" down a path to the river. The Scotchman's faded blue eyes "Well, 1 snapped. "No, I don’t want anything lay. “my to do with it!” he spat out. ' Where breeds at did you get that letter?” something "It was sent to my family at learn.” ' Before we leave this great city North Bay. Robert Finlay, one of of six shacks and u store I'm going those six men, wn< my brother.” "Teh! Teh' Too bad!" murmured to make Mrs McLeod. brulcs.” “So you're here to investigate?” "They're altogether too keen to “No, I'm here on survey duty— know who we are and where we're going We'll give them a chance to bound for James Bay! Naturally, find out, tonight,” said Finlay. after our getting that letter I'm ask- “Down the line they say no one at Ing questions while I'm here." Fin- Nottaway will talk. Before we start lay looked significantly at the Me- Leeds. “But it looks as if no one we'11 find out why " dared answer them.” “Chief, we can't go back, you and “rm sorry," said McLeod, “but Blaise and me. until we do find out. all I can tell you is that Isadore re We've burned our bridges! It's sink ported that the canoes of the par or swim, now!" ties had been found by Waswanipi The bronzed face of the other Indians." hardened while lights flickered in Finlay frowned. “Hasn't Isadore's his deep-set eyes. “Right, Red! freight already gone down river?” We ll get to the bottom of thia if it he suddenly demanded. takes all winter and God help some "Yes, weeks ago.” body when we do!” "Then the two breeds, here, who After supper the friends separat were so curious when we left the ed. Leaving Malone in conversa train are lookout men?" tion with Cotter, the storekeeper, McLeod blinked into the stare that Finlay went to the house of the drove into his. "Lookout men? 1 station agent. McLeod. don’t understand." "So you're going to the bay on "I mean that they're checking on ti e survey?" c served the Scotch every canoe that leaves here for man. glad of the chance for a gossip the north. What I'm asking you, with someone from the "outside." Mr McLeod, is who are they check "Yes. we're meeting the main ing for and why?” party at Rupert House." McLeod coughed, caught his wife's "Wintering there, eh?" warning eyes, then replied: “If you “Oh. yes We won't get out until think there was something suspi next fall. By the way, what's all 1 cious ab<ut your brother’s dis this mvstery about, here, Mr. Mc appearance. why don't you bring tn Leod?” threw out Finlay. the provincial police?” McLeod shot a sidelong glance "1 haven't got a thing but thia •ver the steel rims of his spectacles letter not a thing But there s one I question I'd like to ask you. Why does this fellow with the knife slash on his face pack a gun? What's he afraid of?” “You're pretty shrewd, Mr. Fin lay, you'll have to judge for your self. I don’t know.” After a chat about lower Ontario, the McLeods' home country, Finlay bade them good-night. As he left the house he saw the taller of the harmonizing tints or shades are ELMER TWITCHELL ON THE half-breeds who had watched his ar used for the flower appliques as GAS CRISIS rival at Nottaway with such inter an accent. e • • est Finlay's curious eyes studied “I'm all set for this gasoline ra The panholder in Z9341, 15 cents, with the man who was evidently wait its plaid effect, may be made up using ing for him in front of the frame tioning,” declared Elmer Twitchell small pin checks. Various motifs—the cup, store, which carried on a spruce today. “Ain’t a bit worried. Got sugar bowl, or salad bowl might be used plank above the door the name “J. myself all adjusted. Won’t notice it to adorn the corners of luncheon cloths, while a single flower, leaf and tendril at all.” Cotter.” could be placed in napkin corners for a “How so?” we asked. Approaching the half-breed, he set of distinct individuality. Send your “Preparedness,” snapped Elmer. called: ’ Fine evening!” order to: “Been salting it away or got a The other grinned, slapping vig orously at his face and neck. “Good pull with a gasoline bootlegger?” AUNT MARTHA “Neither," explained Mr. Twitch night for bug, al-so!” Box 166-W Kansas City, Mo. Finlay lost no time in getting to ell. 'T've done nothing beyond the Enclose 15 cents for each pattern reach of any other American. Any the point. “You know the river to auto owner can take the same steps desired. Pattern No........................... the Bay?” ITENglLS appliqued in the col- Name ........................................................... The breed nodded. “You headin’ I have so that the gas shortage or that is to be accented in for de Bay on survey?” he asked. won’t bother him in the least.” Address ........................................................ the kitchen—shall we say yellow “Speak. What have you done?” “Yes, we’re heading for Rupert. “Well, I’ll tell you.” said Elmer. or red—would be pretty for this The river runs pretty hard for a “It’s very simple. First of all, I’ve set of tea towels, Lovelier still hundred miles below here, I hear.” painted every light in the house a are these designs when delicate, “Plenty strong water on all dese bright red.” DON’T LET riviere! Two men drown last year!” “What’s the big idea?” Finlay closely watched the flick “I want the full atmosphere of ering eyes as he said: “And four the the open road,” he continued. “Then SLOW YOU UP year before, but that was on the I’ve put obstacles all over every • When bowels are sluggish and you fee! Waswanipi, they tell me!” room so there'll be trouble getting irritable, headachy and everything you "Ah-hah!" anywhere. I’m hanging a dead-end do is an effort, do as millions do — chew FEEN-A-MINT, the modem chewing “I see that the Hudson’s Bay and sign at the front door and I put a gum laxative. Simply chew FEEN-A- Jules Isadore have depots here,” ob detour marker on the back door to MINT before you go to bed—sleep with served Finlay, nodding at the store complicate matters.” out being disturbed—next morning gentle, TRUCK PARTS thorough relief, helping you feel swell houses beside the track. "Who is “Yes, but . . .” J Heavy-duty Motors, axels parts again, full of your normal pep. Try “Don’t interrupt,” he snapped. bodies, tires, hoists and used tiucks. this Isadore?” FEEN-A-MINT. Tastes good, is handy TRICK WRECKING COMPANY The half-breed gaped in surprise. "I’m putting windshield wipers on and economical. A generous family supply 10th AS E Hawthorne. Portland. Ore. every window in the house, break “You nevare hear of heem?” ing them first. I mean breaking “No.” RABBITS AND SKINS “Wai, you not see hees place on the windshield wipers, not the win dows. I want to be sure none of POULTRY AND RABBITS WANTED Nottaway Trail.” Good white fryer rabbit skins 11.10 “He does a big fur business, 1 'em work. Then I'm setting the Injurious Doctrines per lb Write postcard for p-lces and • furnace on full tilt and removing the judge, by the size of his depot” The mischiefs of fire, of water, information Rnby fc Co.. 935 8 W ”Ver’ beeg business,” he agreed. thermostatic adjustments. I want to Front Portland. Ore. or robbers, extend only to the “Ver’ becg! McLeod, he talk wid I be sure I’m hot.” body; but those of pernicious doc • • • FILM DEVELOPING you 'bout Isadore?" trines, to the mind. — Chinese Finlay laughed inwardly. “No, he We were beginning to get the Proverb. FAST SERVICE says he’s new here, doesn’t know drift. Developed and Tvo Prints from Roll “I’m putting in a big stock of Isadore.” Bach Good “ * Negative ** ' horsemeat, frankfurters and stale “Ah!” As yet the man who had evidenced rolls, a lot of wet peanuts and plenty WESTERN PHOTO COMPANT such curiosity concerning the survey of bananas and soda pop. Enough Lox W-4265 Portland. Ore. party had not shown his hand. Then «ie 8 PRINTS AND TWO ENLARGE Finlay abruptly brought the matter MENTS 25c—Made by Portland s larg LIQUID to a head. "You work for Isadore?" est retail kodak finisher. Satisfac TABLETS tion guaranteed Quality Picture Co. if > SALVE “Yes.” NOSE DROPS Box W3573. Portland. Oregon. COUCH DROPS “My name is Finlay. What's yours?" FOR SALE “Louis Batoche.” Simple Beauty "You handle his freight? Now Hatching Weekly If you get simple beauty, and “Yes. Now M’sieu’ Finlay,” re Dubl-Dollar New Hampshires—U. S. nought else, you get the best thing Certified Leghorns. Vashon Island turned the other with a grimace, “I Co-operative Hatchery, Box 3, Va god invents.—Browning. ' to last all fall and winter, ” he con- ask you question. W’y you go by dis shon, Washington. . tinued. “ And I've ordered a four way to Rupert and not by easy trail | months’ supply of pickles, hard- to Moose?” SHEEP Finlay laughed. So that was the boiled eggs and all the other junk 12 HEAD OF HAMPSHIRE AND 8 | people eat in their Sunday after head of crossbreed Hamp-Suffolk nigger in the woodpile? They wanted rams. $20 per head. Clay Nichols, | noon pleasure trips. Gas or no gas. to know why the survey party was 818 Fifth St., Lebanon, Or I don't want to take any chance taking the Nottaway, Trail to the For Sale: 400 acres or part Irrigat on being cut off from all my ac- Bay. He answered disarmingly: ed dairy stock. Well improved. Flowing wells, close town. $50.00 “Oh, we’re going to make a new I customed pleasures.” per acre. Stocked, equipped. Terms. survey of the Nottaway from Lake Box 233, North Powder, Oregon. “You mean you’re not even count Matagami to Rupert Bay. Otherwise Haying good. Equip Give ing on using an auto?” we ex Restaurant, we'd have gone by Moose.” terms Seat 23. Mrs. W A. Gillen claimed. water, Ocean Lake, Oregon. Garry narrowly watched the effect "Exactly," said Elmer. "I'll have of his explanation. The half-breed lifted his brows in seeming surprise my house all fixed up with every DENTAL PLATES thing I can get through motoring. as he replied: “Ah-hah! I see!” I'm even arranging to have grease The answer appeared to satisfy Batoche's curiosity. His eyes put all over the chairs and walls dropped to the river shore where and I'm putting in a small stove to the smoke from Blaise's smudge Are burn nothing but rubber. And sec D r . H arry S emler , Dt+disi hung in the spruce tops. Then his this?” UISKY ILK. • 3 m 4 MORRISON • PORTIMO. ORE Elmer held up a phonograph rec- gaze shifted to a tent above the ord. bridge. “Put it on the machine and all Summer Boarder—What a beauti “Who are those men camped there, prospectors?” asked Finlay. it does is just snarl m different keys. ful view that is! Every little while a voice yells, 'Get Farmer—Maybe. But if you had Batoche laughed, “Dey head for over, ya big bum!’ ” to plow that view, harrow it, culti de Rouyn contree.” Behind the Blush • • • vate it, hoe it. mow it, fence it, and “Not interested in trying for the The man that blushes is not Mr. Twitchell was well pleased pay taxes on it, it wouldn't look so quite a brute. Chibougamau?” Finlay watched the pretty. with himself. other closely. "It's a pretty good idea,” we Batoche's eyes glittered. “Chib- ougamau?” he sneered. “Onlee fool agreed. “Good my eye. It's perfect," con- head for de Chibougamau from eluded Elmer, ' Without a pint of here!” you 6ET “And they paid for it by drowning gasoline to my name I'm all set ITS THE CAMELS ARE to enjoy everything at home that I in the Waswanipi rapids—all of would enjoy if I went out in the them.” MILDER Batoche's pale eyes probed the in auto.” THEY 6URN SLOWER LIKE scrutable face of the white man, INEXPLICABLE then shifted to the spruce ridge, be CAMELS ALWAYS It seems to me somewhat ironic. yond the river. LESS NICOTINE TASTE SO “Onlee Montagnais Indian travel That tender care, massage, and tonic dat Waswanipi. It ees bad water. IN THE SMOKE GOOD De prospector all go in from Lac Should be required of men who cherish St. Jean.” “1 hear that Isadore's people A scalp that's adequately hairish. Whereas unwanted hair that’s found a piece of a canoe.” strewn “For sure! AU smash up below Across the chin and checks, though beeg rapide on Waswanipi!” hewn "Which party was that?” "Two young fa liar who go in last And leveled to the skin and thwarted year wid Peterboro cano'.” Finlay’s eyes clung for an instant When it is barely getting started. to the purple ridge as pain lanced Despite mistreatment, curse, and scorning through him. “That's aU they found Returns augmented every morning. —no bodies or outfit?" —Richard Armour. Batoche shook his head, “Dat’s all!" ■'New automobiles will lose their "Well, I'm much obliged." said Finlay. “I've got to see my man, decorative touch and frills.”—Head Brassard. We'll be pushing off in line. We may even have to get along the morning." “Bo'-jo'!" replied Batoche as Fin- for two years in succession with the lay left him and started for the same radiator ornament. camp on the river shore. Autumn: When you feel so strange In the meantime, down on the river shore, Blaise Brassard had going around with no broken-bottle BURNING CAMEtS CONTAINS been smoking in the lee of hia wounds in your feet, no mustard on SMOKE OF SLOWER smudge fire before a small A tent your shirt, no sand in your ears and with a cheesecloth mosquito drop. no plaster across the bridge of your nose. Near him lay the big airedale. “Flame,” said the ruminating Brassard, exhaling a cloud of pipe V AG ABONDI A smoke, “you and Blaise got big job Books and beer upon a table. of the 4 Other largest dis summer. W'at you fink?” A pinch of snuff for those who’re than the average tested-less than any The dog raised his head. His able; selling cigarettes independent three-cornered eyes gazed fixedly A pipe of 'baccy for a friend through shaggy brews as if he un Whom fortune may see fit to send: of them derstood and agreed. Then he sud So shall mine house well ordered be f scientific tests denly stiffened, ears cocked, nose to For a friend who finds his friend I in me. his feet and stood with head thrust —Gerdon R Higham. forward peering into the scrub. ’ Ah-hah! Somebody cornin’!” Elmer Twilchell insists that he The hair on Flame's neck and back lifted as his throat sweUcd ia drove up to a fashionable pumping station Sundav and found a sign a menacing rumble. costlier tobaccos Reserved” on It. fT(> HE COXTIM ED) L CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT CONSTIPATION FEEN-A-MINT To« 25c SCOLDS FLAVOR m LESS NICOTINE O A Ml Cl VnlflHL CIGARETTE OF
