END OF THE CONTRACT AND OF THE STORY
For the moment Dale thought he must be dreaming. This section of the
lumber camp his own property! It was too good to be true.
"Mr. Wilbur, do you mean----" he began. "That is, are you sure----"
"Yes, Bradford, the lawyers are certain that this claim belongs to you,
since you are your late father's sole heir. Ulmer Balasco does not own
a foot of the ground, nor a single stick of timber."
"It is false!" cried Ulmer Balasco, but his voice was weak and
uncertain.
"I have said it is true, and before long I will prove it to the
satisfaction of everybody," went on Jefferson Wilbur. "Balasco got hold
of the claim by a trick, after the mine that was once located along the
creek stopped operations. He learned that your father was dead, and
thought that he was safe."
"But didn't he know the name was the same?" questioned Owen.
"Bradford's father bought the claim from the Wardell Mining Company,
run by a man named Henry Wardell, a schemer who was at one time in
business with Foxy Hildan. It is possible that Balasco thought the
claim was still in the Wardell family, after Wardell himself died."
"I--I bought the claim from Wardell," said Balasco. "I--I can prove it
by Hildan."
"That story won't stand investigation, Balasco. The Bradford claim is a
matter of record, and cannot be shaken. If you want to go to law over
it you may do so, but I'll stand by Bradford. I don't think it will pay
either you or Hildan to get into a courtroom."
As Jefferson Wilbur concluded he turned, just in time to see Foxy
Hildan slipping out of the doorway to the main office.
"He is running away!" cried Owen.
"If you want him I'll catch him!" replied Bruce, who was nearest to the
door. In a twinkling he was outside, and running after Foxy Hildan. He
caught up to the man with ease, and putting out his foot, sent Hildan
sprawling headlong over a pile of chips. When the man arose Bruce
caught him firmly by the arm.
"Let go of me, you young rascal!"
"I will not," answered Bruce, and in a moment Owen appeared, and
between them they compelled Hildan to return to the offices.
Half a dozen men had been aroused by the running and shouting, and soon
the offices began to fill up. Many were glad to see Mr. Wilbur and
shook hands with him. All were astonished to learn the news that part
of the lumber tract belonged to Dale, and not to Balasco.
"I reckon he'll make a good enough boss," said one of the men. "I liked
him and Webb the minute I clapped eyes on 'em," and others said the
same.
A conference lasting until sunrise followed, the principals to the talk
being Mr. Wilbur, Ulmer Balasco, Hildan, Dale, and Owen. Before it was
over both Balasco and Hildan weakened completely, and promised to do
anything that Jefferson Wilbur wished if he would not prosecute them.
"All I wish both of you to do is to treat me and Bradford fairly," said
Jefferson Wilbur.
"I'll do it," said Ulmer Balasco.
"So will I," put in Foxy Hildan. "And I'll help you with that contract,
too, if you say so."
"I don't want your assistance," responded Jefferson Wilbur coldly.
"You just leave us alone and we'll put that contract through with bells
on," came from Owen. Then he squeezed Dale's hand. "And to think, Dale,
you are part owner of this lumber tract! It beats all!"
"It certainly does beat all," answered Dale. "I'll be a lumberman now
and no mistake--and you shall be my head man, that is, if Mr. Wilbur
will agree."
"And that will suit me," said Owen. "Tell you what, coming out to
Oregon was a lucky thing for us, wasn't it?"
* * * * *
Let me add a few words more and then bring this tale of "Two Young
Lumbermen" to a close.
In due course of time the necessary papers were drawn up which gave
to Dale undisputed possession of the land claim which Ulmer Balasco
had for so many years called his own. Balasco signed off every alleged
right, and in addition paid Dale the sum of four thousand dollars, cash
received for lumber sold outside of the Wilbur-Balasco Combination.
Then Balasco disappeared, and with him went Foxy Hildan, and the others
were glad to get rid of them.
As Dale was not yet of age, it was necessary that a guardian be
appointed for him. For this service Mr. Rice was called in, and agreed
to serve. Jefferson Wilbur could not act, for the reason that a new
company was formed by himself and Mr. Rice, the latter acting for Dale.
As soon as this formation was complete, Dale went into the office
as local manager, and Owen became the head man outside, with Andy
Westmore as chief assistant. Bruce Howard might also have had a better
position, but he declined.
"I am much obliged to all of you for your kindness," he said. "But as
I told you before, I don't much care for life in a lumber camp. I want
to get among the iron and steel workers and make something of myself
in that industry," and shortly after that he left the camp, and his
place on the donkey engine was taken by another. How Bruce struck out,
and whether he succeeded or failed in his undertaking, will be told
in another volume of this "Great American Industries Series," a story
dealing largely with the iron and steel output of our country.
The many changes going on did not prevent Owen from going at the
railroad contract "tooth and nail," as Dale laughingly expressed it.
All he did was approved of by Jefferson Wilbur, and that gentleman
himself grew quite enthusiastic as the time on the contract grew
shorter.
"Oh, we're bound to win out!" cried Owen. "We've simply got to do it;"
and during the last forty-eight hours he went out himself, and he and
Dale worked as hard as anybody, bringing down the last trees required
to fill the order. When the final load reached the Columbia, and was
transferred to the railroad, there was a general rejoicing.
"Filled!" cried Dale, and threw up his cap.
"Yes, and with half a day to spare," added Owen. "We could supply them
with twenty more sticks if they wanted them."
"You have done well," put in Jefferson Wilbur, "very well indeed, and
so has everybody connected with this plant." And at the end of the week
the employees received the bonus that Owen had promised them. Owen
himself was not forgotten, and he placed the money in the old cigar box
with a laugh.
"Going to keep on saving," he said, with a merry glance at Dale. "Don't
expect to be as rich as you, but I'll have something for a rainy day."
"We're going to form a stock company when I am of age," answered Dale.
"And when we do, Mr. Wilbur and I have agreed to let you in on the
ground floor. So bring out your old violin to-night, Owen, and give us
a tune and be happy."
"Happy! how could a fellow be otherwise, in such a glorious spot as
this," said Owen. He lifted his cap and took in a deep breath from the
pine forest. "Beats a city all to nothing, doesn't it, Dale? Tell you
what, I'd rather be a lumberman than be a king!"
THE END
* * * * *
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