Elmer Sherwood

“ DEAN MEETS COLONEL SANDS FOR two days the fast Canadian Pacific flyer had raced through changing country and towns. To Ted, who had never before been on a railroad train, every moment held fascination. He watched the flying country, the busy stations and the people on the train. Very important people some of them seemed to be. ”

“ Dean, even more than Red and John Dean, who made him see and understand.
Then the Marshes came to Big Gulch. Matters adjusted themselves. It was a busy time for all. Smiles was off, smiling and glad. So were the other men who were to go. Brave men, all of them, doing their duty as they saw it. Pop took up his duties as foreman.
Then the child was born to the Deans. A girl, which seemed like a squalling, ugly baby, much like any other baby, to Ted. But to say so to the mother or to the father or to Mrs. Marsh or to Helen, would have been a great, an awful insult. ”

“ Strong answered.
“That is the trouble with all adventure, these days,” Walker complained. “It’s always so very simple.”
“I consider this extremely interesting and exciting,” replied Strong. “It is like a tremendous game of chess with enough [160] elements of danger added to suit the most exacting. Don’t imagine that we shall not be in danger every second tonight. These Germans are cold-blooded. If we should happen to be in their way, should they find out how much we actually know, we can say good-bye; the sun would rise tomorrow, but we might not.”
He turned to Ted. ”

“ That is just like her,” Mrs. Marsh exclaimed fervently. “She is an angel, Mr. Dean. A friend of every poor child and mother in the district. She is a real lady, too; not like the kind of folks that live on our street, you know—but you have no idea the good she does nor the comfort she gives.”
The doctor had motioned the cattleman to go with Mrs. Marsh and Helen, and as they entered Room 30, Mrs. Marsh ran quickly to the side of the small white bed where the brave little patient lay. For an instant Ted’s eyes fluttered open, and then shut. ”

“ Marsh had not been specially pleased, but she let Ted have his way. The dog stayed.
Between school and the Settlement Ted was receiving an education equal to that of any one. Only the summer before Miss Wells had spoken to Mrs. Marsh and then both of them had insisted that Ted was to go to the Settlement Camp for two weeks.
“I can’t go,” answered Ted. There was regret in his voice. To go seemed the most wonderful thing in the world. “Who’s going to tend to my papers and my Posts? I’m not going to lose my customers; can’t afford to build up a new business.” ”

“ It was going at full speed when Ted and his partner waved a red sweater, a danger signal that could not be ignored. It seemed to the excited boys as if the engineer would never see it. Then the train began to slow down, and an excited crowd of men jumped off. Amongst them was John Dean.
After the boys explained the men from the train proceeded cautiously to the danger point, guns ready. The anxious captain saw them coming and used his bugle to call the Scouts to him. There was a rush of train-wreckers from the woods. ”

“ We must also watch the Germans on our own side. These Germans are brave and wise, as well. Dislike them as we do, they are strong men, and we must not and cannot despise their wonderful ability.”
Colonel Graham: “If we could but know their plans, or even get an inkling of them. It is almost of no moment for them to get into Canada, except that we would become the laughing stock of the world should they capture Toronto or Montreal or Quebec. They would enter today, then tomorrow they would declare war.” ”

“ Dean from the first moment. Her charm and her loveliness kept even the timid Smiles in the circle about her. She was pleasant to all and enjoyed their company so much that they responded naturally and their quick wit had full play.
Nor was Ted an outsider. Under the protecting wing of Red Mack the boy had a chance of meeting the men without awkwardness.
The men took to him. They tested him to find out if there were a man’s qualities in him. Your shrewd, self-reliant man of the plains soon sees through a person. ”

“ Red Mack felt that it was up to him to give the boy the rudiments of the rancher’s education. Ted could not have had a better teacher in the whole of western Canada.
The time passed very quickly in this way. Mrs. Dean attended to Ted’s education and each day he had to give three to four hours to study. At other times you could see him, sometimes with Smiles, sometimes with Al or Pete, but mostly with Red. Wherever he went, Wolf was at his heels. Wolf never would be a wolf, but he was growing and he was beginning to hold his own. The West seemed to be the place for him. ”

“ The Boy Scouts at Wayland were a source of great pride to the Academy. They had entered tests, tournaments and games with other Scout groups. Their standing was high. Captain Wilson spent much time and took painstaking care that what they did learn was the thing they should learn. He made it clear, too, that the Boy Scout training, while it had nothing to do with the military training which was part of the curriculum of the Academy, was nevertheless, in his opinion, just as important.
A very little matter brought things to a head between Syd and Ted. ”

“ But they did not whimper. Such is the stock of the West, whatever the course they may follow, bad or good, they are almost always—men.
To Ted it was a tremendous experience. It gave him an idea as to what length these easy-going men would go. Mack and Smiles were his heroes, the men in turn did not forget to say a good word to him for his part.
Pop had not been with them in the roundup. But when he heard of it, he wanted to know all the details of Ted’s share in it. He got it from both Smiles and Red Mack. Mrs. Dean also wanted to know all about it. ”

“ A second officer stood threatening big John Dean, forcing him back into the crowd.
[35] “You go after that kid and I’ll arrest you,” he said, flourishing his club. “His mother isn’t in there, anyhow. The firemen will take care of the boy.”
The restless, surging crowd, after a time, became hushed and silent. Only the hissing engines and the captain’s orders could be heard above the crackling flames, except as shattering glass and falling brick told how surely the fire was gaining headway.
As moment followed moment and Ted failed to appear, the officer took the anxious cattleman by the arm. ”

“ Big things may come for you to do. I am proud of Wayland and the boys in it, and I want to say to you all, as man to man, that come such time as may, and there are clouds now in the sky, Canada, I know, will have reason to be proud of you. ”

“ Strong looked back. An auto passed north on Michigan avenue.
“That’s Winckel’s car,” he said. “We weren’t any too soon.”
Ted told the two men of the night’s adventures and they both listened eagerly. Strong was laboring under great excitement as the boy went on with his story. When Ted was through he placed his hand on Ted’s shoulder and said, quietly and very impressively, to him:
“I simply can’t tell you the things I long to say. You’re going to be a man, my boy! ”

“ O’Reilly spoke up. “For myself, and I think I speak for the other Irishmen here present and also for the forty thousand against England, but against the United States—never. Not one Irishman can be counted on if it comes to a showdown against the U. S. A.”
“Nor very many Germans,” added Winckel.
“So be it,” said Captain Knabe. “Shall we go over the ammunition storehouses, those that are in Canada and those that are in this country?”
Many of the places Ted could not make out, others he did. He realized that this was valuable information. ”

“ Just before retiring, Captain Wilson came into Ted’s room.
“It seems silly to distrust Pfeffer, Lucky, still when you get to a station, say Winnipeg, I would telegraph your mother that you are coming. If any questions should be asked of her, she should say that she knows you are coming. See? It is best to be safe and to guard against everything.”
Early morn saw Ted on the train. It was announced to those who made inquiries that Ted had been called home. Mr. Pfeffer received the information with private wonder and doubt. ”

“ Our story is almost complete. Ted received a great welcome at the Academy. The boys had heard of what he had done, of his reward and the letter he had received from Sir Robert Wingate. For one whole day his coming made the Great War an even smaller event. Captain Wilson had gone to Ottawa, he had been promoted to be a major. Some of the instructors were gone and even one or two of the older students. Those who were left spoke only of the time when they, too, could go and they were bemoaning their misfortune in being young.
Ted heard from the folks at home. ”

“ They wanted men in Canada, in Australia, in all the provinces, to prepare, to do what they could. As John Dean spoke, there came to Amy Dean a feeling that if war did come, her husband would be marching off to the front. And, with this feeling of fear, there came also a great pride.
Ted listened, wide-eyed and interested. It stirred his fancy, his thoughts. He was, he felt, an American always, but Canada held a close second place. What if he could help?
Early the next morning the train pulled into Big Gulch. A car was waiting for them. Red Mack came sheepishly forward. ”

“ His eyes flashed. “Many people call me a traitor, but Ireland, not England, is my country, and all Irishmen should be against the country that holds it slave.
“But to business, gentlemen. Will you, Mr. Schmidt, explain the call for this meeting?”
“That I will,” answered he who had been addressed. “There are two things for us to take up—the less important first. I have a telegram from our good friend Pfeffer up in Wayland, in Alberta, Canada, where he is doing our work, but is presumably a German instructor. ”

“ Ted listened, open-mouthed, to all that was said that afternoon, for John Dean’s speech brought forth a long and earnest discussion in Room 30. Little Mrs. Marsh’s protests became fainter and fainter, until finally she reluctantly gave her consent, realizing it was a great opportunity for Ted.
It was Helen who had really convinced Mrs. Marsh when she said: “We must let Ted have his chance, mother. We must not be selfish.”
A few days later found Ted Marsh standing, bright eyed, on the observation platform of a Pullman, watching the country roll behind him. ”

“ When Ted and Mrs. Dean returned from their walk Mrs. Dean went to her room. Captain Wilson greeted Ted.
“You see, Lucky—I am superstitious, Ted—so I’ll call you Lucky—I come to you [120] on very important business. Not as Scout to Scout, but as man to man. Come and meet Major Church, both of us want to talk to you.” ”

“ You are getting older, you see, and a man’s work lies before you.”
“Yes, I know,” he answered soberly, “I mean to make my way, so that mother and Helen can come out to this country. Isn’t it fine to know that you belong to it—that you are an American—there never was anything like it.” Then he laughed, a little embarrassed. “Of course, being a Canadian is almost the same,” he added loyally.
“Yes, we feel it is,” said Mrs. Dean, smiling.
The two men came back and Ted heard Colonel Sands say:
“We can’t tell when it will happen. But I think you should know. It is likely to come any minute. ”

“ He will be one more of the many who drift to the big town and think that that is the life. I wonder how Mrs. Dean—sounds funny, doesn’t it?—” continued Al Graham, “is going to stand it? It’s hard for anyone who doesn’t like it.”
[50] “Well,” said Pete, “that’s just it, Al. Jack likes it as much as any of us. He can’t stay away from it. It calls him, same as it does you and me. But as to Mrs. Dean, I’m doing some wondering myself.”
“Seems to me,” Red Mack spoke for the first time, “you folks had better not worry too much over it. ”

“ There is no call for you to do it. You may wish to remain neutral and we do not want you to go unless you wish to, heart and soul. But should you go, successful or unsuccessful, you will be rendering us a great service.”
“I want to go,” Ted answered very quietly. “Canada is second only to my loyalty for my own country.”
Major Church and Captain Wilson gave Ted a hand-clasp which showed their feelings.
“You are true blue, my lad,” said Major Church. “We will have information as to location from Mr. Smythe very soon. You can understand the need of secrecy when our wires are coded. ”

“ Smiles was notoriously bashful and could never be found when any women folks were about.
“I guess Smiles’ experience in the last twenty years has been seeing the Wells over beyond. If he saw them first he’d vanish, pronto.” The last speaker was older than the rest, quiet appearing, a little sad. They knew him as Pop. He had given his name as Dick Smith, when he first came, many years [49] ago. The ethics of the West is never to ask questions of a man’s past. It judges a man by his present. ”

“ No. 2 is Chicago. Strong is our chief operative there. Ted will have to see him to get his information and also such help as he may need. But one thing we know—their headquarters just now are at Chicago.”
“I am glad of it,” said Ted. “Since Chicago is my home town, I can do things there and may be successful.”
“Suppose,” said John Dean, “you start tomorrow, Ted. You see, speed is the thing. That will give you a chance to see your mother and sister, too.” ”

“ An hour later the train came into the station.
Ted, who had been quite tired, no longer felt any weariness. Here was Chicago, here was home.
As he stepped away from the train, his mother and sister ran forward. Two men [139] watched him from close by—one motioned to the other. O’Reilly went forward.
“My boy, are you looking for Mr. Strong?”
Helen interrupted: “Looking for Mr. Who? Why, of course he’s not—he’s my brother—I guess you are mistaken. Come, Ted, we are going home first.”
Ted did not question his sister; he knew there was method in her outburst. ”

“ It was harder to make Helen understand. She asked some searching questions, but in the end she realized the fine manliness of her father.
The two, mother and daughter, marveled at the coincidence of the father being at the same place as Ted.
“The world is a small place, isn’t it?” said Mrs. Marsh.
It did not take very long for them to be ready to leave. Marsh helped where he could and a week after he arrived they left for Big Gulch. Red had paved the way, in accordance with their plan.
Ted was too surprised to make any comment [214] when he heard the news. ”

“ When do you want to return to Wayland, Ted?”
“I should like to go by Saturday, if it can be arranged,” answered Ted.
“Well, I think it can be done. I shall return tomorrow night or early the following morning. You will be free for these two days. Have a good time; remember, we pay [192] all your expenses—nothing is too good for you. If you can, come down the day after tomorrow. I may have some news for you.”
“I shall be glad to come down,” answered Ted, as he wondered at the news to which Strong had reference. ”

“ Dean, while John Dean looked tenderly at her.
“I’m proud of you, Ted. I counted on you, but you did much more. I heard from Strong, but I did not know what had been accomplished. As to your mother and sister—they must come out here—the wonderful thing is that Mrs. Dean will need your mother’s help very soon and it all seems to fit one thing into another. Helen will get a rest here; she need not worry as to finding the right kind of opportunity. When do you expect to write home?” ”