The men cheered.
"Well, we're off!" said Bob cheerfully.
"Yes, we're off, thank God!" replied Welton.
From that moment the affairs of the new enterprise went as well as could
be expected. Of course, there were many rough edges to be smoothed off,
but as the season progressed the community shaped itself. It was indeed
a community, of many and diverse activities, much more complicated, Bob
soon discovered, than any of the old Michigan logging camps. A great
many of the men brought their families. These occupied separate
shanties, of course. The presence of the women and children took away
much of that feeling of impermanence associated with most pioneer
activities. As without exception these women kept house, the company
"van" speedily expanded to a company store. Where the "van" kept merely
rough clothing, tobacco and patent medicines, the store soon answered
demands for all sorts of household luxuries and necessities. Provisions,
of course, were always in request. These one of the company's
bookkeepers doled out.
"Mr. Poole," the purchaser would often say to this man, "next time a
wagon comes up from Sycamore Flats would you just as soon have them
bring me up a few things? I want a washboard, and some shoes for Jimmy,
and a double boiler; and there ought to be an express package for me
from my sister.
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