The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-28
Written foy Zk< Aykanscw TraveL<y.
 IT WAS JIM.
BY N. R. WHITE.

BY N. R. WHITE.
 Jim Metlow was tall, slim specimen of backwoods civilization, and lived near the Devils Backbone. peculiarly shaped ridge in the mountainous portion of Ar kansaw. He was about twenty years of age. and though nearly six feet in height he still continued to work his way up- ward as If determined to occupy as much space as possible-top column, next to reading matter. Owing to the rigid ecos- omy praetieed in the family, Jim's ward robe was not such as to impress one favorably with his personal appearance. His trousers, which were of good tex ture were now about year old, and would have lasted him a year or two longer, probably, had not his rapid growth superinduced tendency on the part of the bottom hem to seek haven of rest a. the back of his neck. When irst he put those trousers on they were pronounced perfect fit by ,he proud father and mother, and a new pair of shoes On his feet seemed to smile in self appreciation as they tn ought how much they contributed to the young mans ar- pearance. The trousers and the shoes were good friends and enjoyed each o,h- CTS society very much, but soon the trousers gave evidence of retiring dis position. and seemed to shrink from as sociation with the shoes. The shoes no- tieed this and grew norose and sad. Grief was visible in every lineament of their countenance, and though their eyes were dry their souls were filled with sor- row, bass-wood, scrap-leaiher, ct cetera. At last the breach between them so wid- ened that they met only as strangers.
 Iim's pride was also wounded, and he had several fights with some ofhis young neighbors who would occasionally yell, "Shoot the high-water pants.
 Pap,' said Jim to his father one day, after the crops had been "laid by," "let me take one O the mules an go ter Lit tie Rock"
 Whut or airth do yer want ter 20 ter ther Rock fur:"
 want ter look eround little"
 "All right; but look out ,ha. the mule don't gi; stoled."
 Yer kin jist bet will" and he sad dled the mule and rode away.
 On his arrival in the city he immedi- ately sought purchaser, sold the mule, bough, new suit of clothes, had a clean shave and proceeded to gaze upon the elephant. A policeman, who had nar- rowly watched him since his arrival, con- cluding that he had stolen the mule arr rested him just as he was entering sa- loon. The young man protested his in- nocence and declared that his father had given him the mule. The old man was sent for and arrived the next day. The police showed him the mule and asked him if it was his property.
 ''Yes, by gosh ; that's ole Beck. But whar's Jim?"
 Who's Jim?"
 "He's my boy. He rid tha, mule ter town the other day
 The man who sold the mule is in lail. i Come and see if he is your son.
 The old man went to the jail and was nshered into cell where sat a clean 'haven yosng man, dressed in store ,lothes,' and as unlike the country lad of l few days before as could be imagined.
 Pap" said the prisoner, "I'm arful glad ter see yer"
 |" Don't yer call me 'pap,' yer onery aoss thief
 "Why, pap, yer ain't goin' back on me cause I'm in jail, air ye " and the young mans voice faltered.
 Il tell yer aint yer pap, yer theivin' 'camp, whar's my lim!"
 Don't yer know me, pap? I'm Jim.n
 No, yer ain't. Yer needn't think yer tin fool father"
 But kin prove it, pap"
 "How?"
 Don't yer remember bout ther ole nay mare gittin' her leg broke ther day fore left?"
 "Yes."
 An the pig whus walked up plank nier ther wheat bin an eatin' so much shea, he couldn't walk: ?.
 Yes"
 An 'bou, Bob goin' out ter worm ther erbacker an steppin' on a snake?"
 Yes, yes them's facts, an 1 believe 'is Jim, shore 'nough, but yer've changed 0 wouldn', "a knowed twas vou efl CT hadn't bin so well posted on family ffairs. Come outer that an,- go home a1