Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-05-09
"MOuntaIn Jim"


Several years ago, Miss Bird, the En-
glish lady whose journeying by sea and
land have made her name household
word, was travelling in Colorado, and
stopped at the cabin Of Mountain JIM
a notorious desperado.
She saw a broad, thick-set man, about
the middle height, with an old cap on
his head aud wearing a gray bunting
suit, much the worse for use.
His manner was that of gentleman,
and he spoke with a refined accent and
IN elegant manner.
You are not au American he said,
as she rode away. L know from your
voice that you are countrywoman OF
niue. 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 oil
which were the culture and the love OF
nature shown by Mountain Jim.
Treat Jim as a gentleman and you'll
find him one,' she had been told on set
ting out, and his manners verified the
words.
That uisht, as they were in camp,sit-
ting about huge log fire, the mans
kindness came out. Ring he said to
his dog, as if he was talking to a man,
go TO that lady aud don't leave her
again tonight
But Miss Bird also saw that his van
lty stimulated him to act and speak so
as to sustain his reputation as a desper-
ado. The Colorado newspaper kept
Mountain JIM always before the pub
lie, and he eujoyed reading the para
graphs.
One night, as the presence Of Wild AMI
mails made It impossible TO sleep. he
told her stories of bis early youth and
of tbe great sorrow which led him 10
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 a painful spectacle to the Eng
lish lady. His magnificent head show
ed the better possibilities which mig ht
have been realized. His chlyalrous
manner to woman indicated the natural
gentleman.
| Yet there he sat by the campfire
among the Sierras, ruff an, whose life
had been ruined and wasted.
What good, she thought, can the
future have 10 store for this desperate
who so long has said to evil, be thou
my good!'
The next morning day dawned lone
before the sun rose. The Englishwomau
sat looking at the pure lemon-colored
atmosphere, Ring by her side, when
one of the party called her to come far
ther down th9 slope.
Jim says he has never seen such a
SUNRISE
She went. Looking up to Longs Peak
| it seemed cold and gray. The eyerlast-
ing SHOWS, the slyered pines, the plains
also. appeared chilling IN the bl ue-grey
light. A dazzling streak shoue in the
east, and suddenly the Sun rose above
the gray horizon, as full OF light ant
glory as when first created.
The gray changed 10 purple. Th'
SKY blushed in one rose-red flash. The
cold peaks g!lsteued like rubies. The
Plains appeared, in their limtle's ex-
panse. as if the Creators hand had Jus'
rolled them out.
Mountain jim, reyerently uncover
Ing his head, exclaimed in a low tender
yoice.-'I believe there is a God y
Alas for Mountain Jim awe, ever
when inspired by the Creators works
is not the repentance which begets
new life.
IF YOU want to know he said, one
day to Miss Bird, when she tried 10 lea
him to a better life, how nearly a ma
can become a devil, I'll tell you.'
Then he told her the sad story OF
runaway boy. living the reckless life o
a drunken rufHan. She urged him as
the first step to amendment to give W
whiskey. ,
4 cannot he SAID sadly. 1T oind'
me hand and foot. | cannot give VI
the only pleasure l have.'
She pleaded with him, but he exclalm
ed in tones of despair.
Too late too late' 1t might have
been once, but now it is too late tor nj
| Y