The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-05-23
The Fate of Jim Wah.
FAIrH HoslER

]
said this.
As she gazed about the collection of
saloons and other dingy shanties which
constituted the only visible portion of
the far famed mining camp, the indig-
nant expression on her face deepened in
intensity.
For Miss Kenyon had been led to ex-
pect very different sort of place.
She had been told that Bang-up City
was a species of earthly paradise, whose
inhabitants were so well satisfied with
life that they did not care 10 make even
. short excursion out into the outer
world.
From what can see of the place, I"
she murmured, Il cannot understand
how any one can ever be induced to re-
main in the place over night. Where
is all this Western hustle Of which
have heard Where is the enterprise
which builds complete new cities in a
month? Bah, 1 have been imposed
upon"
She paused irresolute upon the plat
form Of the little depot that was half a
log shanty and halftent.
Rose Kenyon was 4 very fair vision to
gaze upon. Young-not over twenty
and pretty-delicately pretty-she was
the kind Of woman who can be depend
ed upon to set masculinity by the ears.
Suitors were no novelty to Rose. She
had had many lovers, but had sent them
all way. Not one Of them had ever ap-
preached her ideal.
And now she had been allured to the
Rockies by the illiterate invitation of
three men who subscribed themselves as
the School Trustees of Bang-up City.
They had confessed in their queer let
ter, that Bang-up City was as yet with
cut schools Of any description, but they
had invited her, at salary which had
astouished the New England school
teacher, to come out and change the state
of affairs at Bang-up City.
And Rose had accepted She had ex-
pected that the trustees would be at the
station to meet the first tearher Of their
new community, but there was not a
soul near the depot. Then Rose remem-
bered that she had not told them on
which day she expected to arrive.
Finally Roses eye fell upon a monde
script looking Chinaman who was COM
ing leisurely up the road. He was not
an inviting specimen Of the Monaghan
race To begin with, he was dirty. To
add to that, he was very ragged. And,
to cap all, he had one of the most hide
Gus faces ever seen.
-Cally yo' Clip missy?' he demanded
as he came close to her and picked up
the heavy valise which lay at Miss Ken
yon's feet.
as there hotel here - Rose asked.
"Yes, missy you wantee 90 there?"
"Yes."
Then eally yo' bag"
aHow much?' asked Rose. She had
a New England eye to the cost of things.
~Two bittee, missy"
"AIl right. Lead the way to the
place.
The Chinaman started down the dusty
road, followed by Miss Kenyon.
As they got into what might be called
the heart of the city, Rose saw that there
we're a good men about. As she walked
along the number became larger, and she
noticed, not without uneasiness, that
they all Iappeared to be following her.
For, in some way, it had got noised about
that this decidedly pretty young woman
was the new school ma'am-
And every mothers son Of them felt
that be had an interest in the school
ma'am, TO pay whom all were to be tax
ed.
By the time the Chinaman came to a
stop before 4 shanty which looked Just a
shade more pretentious than the rest the
street was crowded with miners.
They all stared at her, yet Rose could
not help feeling that she was the recipi-
ent Of attention most respectfully meant.
Jim Walker, big, handsome fellow,
made 50 bold as to step up to her and
inquire:
BEG pardon, but mebbe yer the new
school ma'am ?'
@Yes, am"
Walker turned to the Chinaman and
said authoritatively:
drop that grip right there, Jim Wah,
| I'll look after it.
@YOu pay me, Missy" said the China
man.
Any miner would have given $ bonrs
for the privilege Of paying the China
man, bat al, felt, after brief inspection
Of Miss Kenyon, that it would not be a
safe offer to make.
Miss Kenyon took out her purse and
drew from it a silver quarter.
-Four bittee, Missy" said the China
man.
why" expostulated Rose, @you offer
ed to eany IT for > cents"
~You heap lie" retorted Jim wah /;
me say four bite
jim Wah did not finish his sentence.
There was loud. sharp report, and the
Chinaman rolled over and over on the
ground, holding his side and yelling
with agony.
Walker pulled ofhis sombrero, and,
boEing With native grace, as he held the
smoking pistol pointed at the ground
said:
81 beg yer pardon for scarin' yer, miss,
but no Chinaman g.loot can insult a lady
when I'm around
For Rose Kenyon had given a startled
shrek and now looked as if she were
about to faint.
The next instant, to the amazement OF