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About Vernonia eagle. (Vernonia, Or.) 1922-1974 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1937)
VERNONIA EAGLE. VERNONIA, OREGON Spotts started up, on fire. “Then padre; perhaps a queer job. But I’ve got to see him before he goes. I've known Bill Hayes a good many Don't let ’em start till I see lim. years. I knew him In Ms wildest days. And I’ve known him for the Doc. Where is he?" Carpy tried In vain to quiet his last three years, since he turned patient "You mustn't have any over a new leaf. : by FRANK H. SPEARMAN “Bill used to visit me and talk excitement tonight. I’ve done my T Copyright Frank 11. Spearman WNU Service best lt>r you. Now, damn it, dry with me. It was something I said up: I tell you you can’t see him.” to him once, so he told me, that CHAPTER VI—Continued morning. You go to bed. You A dreadful light dawned on the started him thinking. "What's all —8— must be dead.” barber. Bis gaunt jaw dropped, his this about—this greedy, rotten old Not until they reached the last “I’ll ride over along with you, hollow eyes flames. "Doc1" he world?’ he asked himself. crest of the hills separating the Jane.” "Bill was not a follower of my cried out. “Panama’s dead!” two ranches and Jane looked over “No, you will not." The word rang in Carpy's ears faith—you know that But he be- on the lowlands of the smaller "But Jane, you’re not going to for many a day. "Jake,” he said lieved Jesus Christ to be the Son ranch, did she catch her breath in deprive me of riding home with brusquely, “I've tried to soften of God. and for three years he has sudden tear. In the distance she you?” things for you—doesn't seem to be tried the best he could to keep his saw a formidable wall of white “Yes, I an.” no use/ They pulled him out of the commandments. smoke billowing into the sky. "Oh, please!" He pleaded with “Naturally, I never heard Bill woods after the fire passed a grove In the nearer distance lay Deni her like a boy. "I’ve been count preach. But I have been told what back of Gunlock Knob." son's buildings. Between the two ing on it all day—" “That's where we got caught— eloquent and sincere sermous he points a second Are burned, curving "I thought you’d been fire-fight right there," cried the barber, “We did preach. But out there in those like a great scimitar along the cut- ing all day.” got back to thè ponies an' had to forgotten hills, facing—no, not fac over lands surrounding the ranch. "Fighting fire and thinking about cut across a piece of burned tlm- ing but embracing—a dreadful "Bull 1" she called fearfully to you and saying. ’Tonight I’ll ride ber to get out. A dead llnib from death. Bill preached a deathless her nearest cowboy. “What does It home with Jane.’" one of thè trees fell on me. I went sermon, for he took his text from all mean—is there anything that “Bill Denison, you’re silly. You down with the pony. When I kicked the lips of God himself. And wher- can be saved?’ ought to be willing to call It a loose, the pony bolted, an’ when I ever you bury hltn, boys, let the “Why, I can see where they’ve day.” words of that text be graven on tried to get up, my leg was broke. been back-firin’. Can't tell much "After I take you home. Jane!" “There we was. Doc. Panama’s tils tomb: CHAPTER VII about It till we get closer. Come "What a teasel Well, then, come “ ‘Greater love than this no man pony couldn’t carry double. The on, boys! Push ’em over the hill. along 1" that a man lay down Ills life R. CARPY walked hurriedly to fire was creepin' up on two sides of hath, If this Is too fast for you, miss," They did not ride fast. There for his friends.’" the edge of the woods where us. It was terrible, Doc—that's all he yelled, “follow us 1’ was so much to talk over. Both Tlie lull in the tire threat Issued a man can say, Just terrible. We But nothing was too fast for were serious. Denison knew better the men gathered closely around couldn’t hardly hear us talk. Pan In fresh dangers to the hill ranches. Jane. The city girl was always on than Jane how grave the danger him. A blaze starting up anew on the “Best thing to do Is to take off ama picked me up to set me on his reservation cut-over lands crept their heels. was both to himself and to her. pony. ‘No!’ I yells. •It won’t do. that old bunkhouse door, Bill," said With the ponies In a lather, the But he had bls hour witb the wom Panama, an’ you know it I’m done, north on the very night that Pana- Gunlock crew pulled up short be an he loved, and for that hour Carpy, when he saw whom they Panama. Save yourself, You ain’t ma was buried. were carrying. “ We can lay him on fore the ranch-house corral, where what else in the world mattered? With what aid she could bring. got a minute to lose. Get back on a party of fire fighters just from “Oh, Bill,” protested Jane, faint that and carry him over here to the your horse and run for it.’ Jane rode next morning over to her shed." town were starting for the front. ly, sick at heart with the happi “ ‘Shut up, Jake,’ Panama yells. neighbor's only to find the situation They had brought Panama out of Henry Sawdy, smoked and scorched, ness of listening to his words. 'Get up on that pony!' I tried to critical. By noon the tire fighters the burned timber where Denison was guiding them out. Bill Parda- “Don’t! You mustn't say such fight It out with him—but I was were being driven back all along loe headed the town men. In the things. I won’t listen to you. Bill. and Bull Page had found him. They crazy with pain ’n' couldn't handle the line. But, loath to abandon bunch were the evangelist preach I’m nothing but a girl, and you’re had taken in a pony, bareback, to myself, neither. He lifted me on hope of saving the ranch buildings, er. Big Bill Hayes, alias Panama; making me a goddess or a fairy— his pony, stuck the lines In my the men fought till Denison, riding the liveryman, McAlpin; Spotts, stop such nonsense. Not one word hands. ‘Beat it,’ he yelled. “What’ll among them, warned them to look the bald-headed and profane bar more, Bill Denison. If you keep you do?’ says I. Tve got good first to their own safety. ber; Seiwood, the cattleman, with on, I'll break out crying. Here's Riding then fast to the ranch legs, I’ll run,’ he says." halt a dozen of his men; Jim Lara the house, anyway. Good night." house, he found Jane consulting A melancholy procession took the mie, from away up in the Crazy Every available man was out on desert road that night for Sleepy with Quong in the kitciien. Woman country, with a bunch of the front lines when Jane reached “I must think of your safety, Cat In the wagon lay Panama; his cowboys. the threatened ranch after day Jane," he said. "It is getting too beside him lay his Injured friend, Jane saw a man riding up from break. Quong kept the little stove Spotts—Jake would have it no other close to danger here. the creek, but It did not look to in the kitchen hot, and Jane, busy "Bill, ?s It that bad?" way. her like Bill Denison. Not until about the cabin and looking after "We might as well face the truth. In town, next day. the boys tried he drew near and lifted his hat the boy burned the day before, did It’s not safe here for you. You vainly to figure out some sort of hastily to her as he rode over to not realize how fast the morning a decent burial service for Panama. must go, and quickly. Are your talk to Pardaloe, did she realize It was going, until Carpy arrived “I've got it,” exclaimed Jeff Sollers, ponies saddled?" was he. “They are." from town to dress the lad’s burns. who was sitting near Carpy. He As rapidly as possible he greeted He greeted Jane and, witb her to “Then take Quong and mount up. * slapped the doctor's knee. “We'll the newcomers, told them where help, went to work on his patient. Janes eyes softened. They fell have tile old Doc himself make a they were most needed, pointed and before his. "I just hate to go, Bill," few remarks over Panama." Afterward he sat down beside started them on their way, and Jane on the bench outside the door. she pouted, tantalizlngly. “It seems “No.” turned to Jane. like deserting a friend.” “Yes." “So,” said he, “you’re playing “Oh, Bill!’’ exclaimed Jane, as good Samaritan. How are you “Hell, no! 1 won’t do It," growled “It isn't Jane. You may Imagine, Denison rode up. "I’m so sorry.” Carpy. girl, how I hate to send you away. holding out over at Gunlock?" “I hope I didn’t stir things up "But why won't you?' !” But you know who I'm thinking of, "All right; the danger Is all over there, by sending that mes from this way. If we can hold the “Well, I’ll tell you. I’m Just an- don’t you?" sage. I shouldn’t have done it, only fire over here, It’s not likely to other bum, like poor Panama— “You mustn't think too much of —I promised,” he said in a dry, bother us. Oh, doctor,” exclaimed that's all. You needn't yell—I anybody but yourself Just now, cracked voice. know. The w’ay I look at It is this: Bill," she murmured. “I do some springing to her feet, “what “Don't think about the small Jane, Nothing in Panama's life became thinking myself these days." does that mean?” things. Bill. You should have sent him like the leaving of it. Surely Quong had been called. Always Riding out of the woods south long ago. I brought all the men I of the ranch house, she saw a no man could die a nobler death forehanded, without any words he could." than Panama's. Now I want to see was winking and blinking in his party of men slowly advancing. “McCrossen refused to come?” a man who lives a life like Pana- saddle. Riding between two men, sup “He was kind of mean—so I ma's death say a few words over Denison handed Jane her lines, came myself—I hope I’ll do for a porting him on his pony, a third Panama, and I'm going to try to She leaned toward him and spoke Afterward He Sat Down Beside man riding behind the trio, Carpy substitute?” get him to do it. Who? The old low: “BUI, will you promise me. Jane on the Bench Outside His answering smile was joyful. saw the injured man, hatless and padre over on the Reservation.” solemnly, one thing?” the Door. coatless, and heard him suppress “It was too good of you to come, “But he won’t do it. Panama "Promise you anything, girl." an occasional groan. Carpy walked Jane. But now I’ve got to ride right where he lay, slung the big fellow didn't belong to his church!" “Solemnly, Bill?" forward to greet the party. “ Well, out again. Would you step into the across It, and thus carried him "That doesn't make a damned bit “Solemnly. What Is It?” cabin and rest up before you ride boys,” he asked, “who Is it this through the woods. of difference, boys. The padre knew “That you'll think first for your time? ” back?" Panama was lifted from the pony Jim Laramie answered. “Why. and laid on the door. A colored neck Panama. He knows me. He will owd safety. Now promise!" “Ride back? Yes. but who’s go do It—if we’re lucky enough to “I promise, Jane.” Doc, it's Jake Spotts. There ’ s been ing to cook for all these men? I'm erchief was laid over his face, and catch him.” “For my sake, Bill?” going back to get Quong and bring a bad accident Jake and Panama with stumbling steps he was car Dr. Carpy called up the padre “Do you mean that?" got cut off up by the pass. Stayed ried back of the bunkhouse. Two and him over.” was lucky. At least the padre “I do mean it.” too long. I'm glad you're here, sawhorses had been set to support was at home. As to bis coming— “God bless you. If the buildings Noon passed before Jane got back Doc; he's hurt pretty bad.” the door, and on It Panama lay at that was something else again. Car I’ll ride over to report tomor- “No!" screamed Spotts. so rest. His companions made ready py held him long on the wire ; he go. to Denison's and installed herself row.” blackened and burned as to be un to start back for the fire lines. with Quong In the kitchen. pleaded earnestly, At last he Jane slept so well that she One man. severely burned, came recognizable, and writhing in pain, “Now, boys, watch out," said Den agreed to come. opened her eyes In the heavy air "it ain't me. Doc; it ’ s Panama! in from the front toward dark. Car- ison gravely. "We can’t afford any At eight o'clock. the welcome of daybreak, conscience stricken at py could not be reached till morn Damn it—go back, boys, and get more mistakes like this. If Jake splutter of the dilapidated engine having rested peacefully during the ing. Jane bandaged the man's Panama. I tell you, go back 1” and Panama had listened to me was heard outside. The padre, a hours in which her neighbor might “Denison has gone to get him. they wouldn't have got cut off. Gunlock buck chauffeur, and a lit have been burned out. arms and fed him. Denison rode in late, smoked and scorched anew, Doc,” explained Laramie. “Keep Bull,” he added, speaking to Page, tle Indian boy of ten or twelve dis She dressed, ate Quong’s hurried quiet, Jake, you only make your .“get up a pair of ponies. If you can embarked, and the reception com breakfast, saddled her pony, and but tireless. “Bill,” she n9ked, sitting down leg worse. It's his leg. Doc.” find ’em, and hitch 'em to the light mittee welcomed the guest of honor set out for Denison’s, directing Carpy motioned. "Bring him In wagon. Carpy wants Panama taken to the hotel office—long well filled. Quong to follow as soon as he opposite him, “tell me honestly: to the cabin.” are you holding It?” right in town.” And headed by the clergyman and could. The smoke grew more dense “Jane, to tell the truth, I don’t The unfortunate barber, eased, The injured barber was coming the little fellow, the growing crowd as she neared the ridge, and she know. Sometimes I think we are with many groans, off the pony, to. He bad been carried to the straggled down the street to Harry reluctantly turned about for home —sometimes It looks bad. In a was laid on the dinner table, asking bunkhouse and was propped up on Tenison's, where poor Panama lay and told Quong of her failure and forest fire, every hour must tell Its for water and half deliriously call a bench outside the doorway. He In state. that she would ride up Into the own story; that's about the size ing for Panama. Carpy examined looked at Carpy wistfully. “Tell Padre Cataldo, laying aside his high bills to see what was going Spotts. He found to bls relief that me. Doc," he begged "have they hat and his overcoat of many on. of it.” It was late when they walked the man was not seriously burned. found Panama yet?" (TO BE CONTINUED) patches, made the sign of the cross, out of doors together. The south "It’s his left leg,” explained Carpy “They have, Jake. And he was rknelt a moment in silent prayer, Had Library for Patrons ern sky was angry red. “It'll be a a little later to the group; “broke hurt I did what little I could do for and, standing behind the pool table him here. But I've not got what's on which Panama lay in his coffin, The first beer saloon in Cincin hard day tomorrow. Bill," said down near the ankle.” nati, more than a century and a Keeping up a rapid fire of talk. needed here for treatment. Pan spoke clearly and simply. Jane. “There’s nothing more I can irai, "this tuia , quarter quanci ago, bad a library tor It» do here, tonight I'm going home. Carpy opened bls bag, set out bls ama's got to go to town. They're “ ouys, Boys,” saiu said uie the wiu old pi priest, looks like a queer place for a I patrons. I’ll be back by daylight In the needed appliances and bls bottle of hitching up the wagon." ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ GUNLOCK RANCH chloroform, gradually subdued the man, got him, witb Jane’s help, un der the anesthetic, and working In bis shirt sleeves and In the intense heat at a breath-taking speed, fin ished the operation, sat down, drew a cigar from his waistcoat pocket and lighted it. “Jane," he said, “I suppose this is your first surgical case?” “Yes. Doctor.” “You’d make a good nurse, girl." “Doctor, what do you suppose he meant calling so for Panama?" Carpy explained. “Today.” he continued, "Panama was his partner on the line: the men work in pairs generally." “I hope they’ll find him all right.” "I hope," observed Carpy thought fully. "he'll be all right when they do find him." “There come some of the boys. Denison Is with them,” Carpy said suddenly, pointing to the edge of the woods. "They’re baiting. They’ve got something slung across the back of a pony. I'll walk over." D
