254 A RAFT PILOT'S LOG 



cated, completely finished and furnished with several 

 thousand dollars left of the appropriation. 



When the captain closed out and sold his raft-boats 

 at the end of the game he had made more profit than 

 any one else who had been in the business of rafting 

 only and by timely and judicious investments in Minne- 

 sota farms, he greatly increased his competency and can 

 take life easy and enjoy his mounting years. In his case 

 I cannot use the term "declining years" for he is not 

 declining - he is just maturing. 



During our fifty years of association, through storm 

 or sunshine, high water or low, good luck or bad, in 

 buying boats or selling them, I always liked to have 

 him with me. I always admired his intelligence and 

 good judgment, and thoroughly enjoyed his fine, loving 

 companionship. Though separated now, it is a great 

 satisfaction to know I still have his confidence and his 

 friendship. 



The governor, as we have learned to call him, and his 

 estimable wife have made their home for fifteen years 

 in the Leamington hotel in Minneapolis, but they al- 

 ways spend the winter months in or near Tampa, Flor- 

 ida. 



