CHAPTER XXXV
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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