The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-09-21
Awed.

Several years ago, Miss Bird, the Eng
lish lady whose journeyings by sea and
| land have made her name household
word. was travelling in Colorado, ana
| stopped at the cabin of Mountain Jim, "
a notorious desperado.
She saw broad, thick-set man, about
the middle height, with an old cap on
| his head and wearing a grey hunting
suit, much the worse for use
His manner was that of gentleman,
and he spoke with a refined accent and
in elegant language.
You are not an American" he said,
as she rode away. Il know from your
voice that you are countrywoman OF
mine. 1 hope you will allow me the
pleasure of calling on you"
A few days later, he called to guide
Miss Bird up to Longs Peak, the Amer
lean Matterhorn. The ride was series
Of glorious surprises, not the least OF
which were the culture and the love of
nature shown by Mountain Jim.
Treat Jim as gentleman and you'll
find him one," she had been told on set-
ting out, and his manners verified the
words.
That night, as they were in camp, sit
ting about a huge log fire, the man's s
kindness came out s'Ring," he said to
his dog, as if he was speaking to man.
''go to that lady and don't leave her
again tonight"
But Miss Bird also saw that hts vnn-
ity stimulated him to act and speak 50
as to sustain his reputation As q despeF-
ado. The Colorado newspaper Kept
Mountain Jim" always before tie
public, and he enjoyed reading the para
graphs.
One night, as the presence of wild an
imals made it impossible to sleep, he
told her stories of his early youth and
Of the great sorrow which led him to
begin lawless life His voice trembled
and tears rolled down his cheeks. His
dark soul seemed stirred to remorse by
the light of other days.
1t was painful spectacle to the Eng
lish lady. His magnificent head show
ed the better possibilities which might
have been realized. His chivalrous
manner to women indicated the natural
gentleman.
Yet there he sat by the campfire
among the Sierras, ruffian, whose life
had been ruined and wasted.
What good" she thought "can the
future have in store for this desperate
who so long has said TO evil BE thou
my goodr"
The next morning day dswned long
before the sun rose The Enelishwo-
man sat looking at the pure lefnon-col-
ored atmosphere. Ring by her side,
when one of the party called to her to
come farther down the slope:
L.
SUNRISE
She went. Looking up to Longs
Peak, it seemed cold and gray. The
everlasting SHOWS, the silvered pines,
the Plains also, appeared chilling in the
blue-gray light A dazzling streak
shone in the east, and suddenly the sun
rose above the gray horizon, as full of
light and glory as whep first created.
The gray changed to purple. The
sky blushed in one rose-red flush. The
cold peaks glistened like rubies. The
Plains appeared, in their limitless ex-
panse, as if the Creators hand had Just
rolled them out.
Mountain Jim. reverently uncovering
his head, exclaimed in low, tender
voice,-"I believe there is Godr'
Alas for Mountain Jim! awe, even
when inspired by the Creators works,
is not the repentance which begets a
new life.
eff you want to know" he said one
day to Miss Bird, when she tried to lead
him to better life, show nearly man
can become devil, I'll tell you"
Then he told her the sad story of a
runaway boy, living the reckless life OF
@ drunken ruffian. She urged him as
the first step to amendment to give up
whisky.
Il cannot" he said sadly. "It binds
me hand and foot cannot give up
the only pleasure have"
She plead with him, but he exclaimed
in tones of despair
''Too late! too late! It might have
been once, but now it Is too late for me
to changer'