The Flagstaff sun-democrat., 1897-04-22
BREAKING OF THE JAM,
Copyright. 1S97.l

tSopyTIsuts 1oSt.l
 'I ain't my own man. know that" said Jerry. I've heard the boys talkin' about it when they thought was lis- tenin' to the trees. Yes, I've heard 'em whisperin' that some day I'd do some thin crazy with my gun. We'll. mebbe will-mebbe will, if hev' to live anywhere but here. But couldn't mo- ways hurt little kid like you,"-Jerry laid his huge hand gently on the head of the boy curled on the log cabins hearth-"a pore little sick kid like you." He lifted his rife and looked along the barrel toward the boy. His finger was on the trigger. The doctor opposite started to his feet with word of alarm; then he sat down again. One glance at Jerry's face convinced him that, whatever Jerry's failings might be, shooting sick boys was not one of them.
 "Of course you couldn't hurt him." said the physician. "In fact, I hope you'll help me take care of Jim this winter. We are here because the city is not the place for boy who has had pneumonia. These old Adirundacks and the Oswegatchie river, and you for guide, derry, will make Jim as strong as a bear before spring, and"
 Ever see bear?' asked Jerry, laughing with pure delight. Ever see a bear in the neatest trap in the woods? lou let the kid come to-morry and I'll bet I c'n show him one."
 Jim sat up and shouted. Jerry's face was as simple and glowing as the boys; then it clouded, and vague sad- ness crept over the docile mouth and the somewhat vacant eyes.
 Don't you forgit I ain't right" he said, slowly and anxiously. 'T'd forgit if the boys didn't let on. They laugh because I don't dast git away from these mountains. Ye know stay here always, and I'm related some way to the big Windfall up wonder, an to the river an all. Once went to town, and I got so lonesome an cranky wanted to knock ev'ry blamed fool met. They got in my way, an they talked too much. The trees here don't git in your way nor talk too much. In course, them peoples along the Windfall gab- ble constable, but they ain't exactly trees. They jist grew after that storm blew the real old fellers down. Think of that for wind! Oh, eff I'd only been here then!"
 A light flashed into his eyes, and he jumped to his feet, walking restlessly to the door. His hound pressed after him and followed his handsome, mus sular master out into the forest.
 Ward, the owner of the log house where Dr. Mason and his charge had arrived that day, turned to his guest: "It's queer about that" he said. "Jerry In high wind and Jerry in calm are two different men. Ye wouldn't know him when it blows. He's smarter than iightnin' then; there ain't no cobwebs in his head at such times! But calm or storm, he's allays the strongest and best guide in the woods. He just can't get lost or tired, or mixed on the weather or the place to find game. Everybody likes Jerry, ef he ain't his own man, and ye can't put this boy in carefuller hands than Jerry Wade's."
 Evidently Dr. Wade agreed, for, as the winter passed, Jim spent more and more hours with Jerry. In the lumber camps Jerry was the strongest, best natured worker among the men. Dur ing "slack" days the pair hunted, trapped and snowshoed together, and | Jerry came to love the boy as he had never loved any other human being. Jim was as dear to him as the forest or the beautiful Oswegatchic.
 The cold weather broke suddenly with warm rains. The river rose, carry ing hundreds of logs down stream until they caught upon some rocks, forming . dangerous jam quarter of Q mile above the Windfall. Then the river froze again, and the men could walk on ihe ice almost to the foot of the tanUle lof logs.
 But one morning warm south wind |