Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-08-18
POOR OLD jim.
BY M. QUAD.

man. and my engineer was man nam
ed Colvile. He was ten years my sen
Tor and also an old bachelor. Jim was
what everybody called a square man
He had lots OF sentiment for plain
uneducated man and a conscience sc
tender that he wouldn't have knowing
ly hurt the feelings OF an Indian. He
was sort OF daddy for 20 miles
along the line and had the esteem OF
officials and men alike. The idea that
Jim would fall In love at his age would
have been laughed to seorn by all who
knew him, and yet he not only went
soft" on girl, but made the mistake
that old bachelors often do. She was
a chit named Mary Blaine. only half
his age and a coquette and a flirt. We
figured 1t out that there was more sym
patty than love on his part and that
she was marrying him instead OF q
younger and better looking man be-
cause he had several thousand dollars
In the bank and would baby her up.
They were married on the quiet one
day, and for a few weeks old Jim's
face carried look OF contentment and
things went well In his little home at
Pine Hill.
BY and by noticed change to anx-
iety, and at times the engineer was
preoccupied and absent-minded. new
er asked Jim or any other man ques-
ton, but through the gossip of my
landlady learned that the young wife
was very extravagant in her ways and
was given to fits Of sulks when re-
proved. 1t was also said that she was
fond Of going to parties and balls and
was being generally criticised. Every
week for many weeks l heard some
new gossip, and while realizing that 1t
must be exaggerated, there was enough
truth to make me anxious about my
Old pard's happiness. / hated to be-
lieve the tales, and yet found many
others limiting that the young wife
was not playing straight game with
the trusting husband. Such an affair
is one of the meanest on earth to med
die with. 1t Is none of your business
even IL you are brother, and yet you
feel that it Is and want to do some
thing. l wouldn't have had old Jim
deceived, and yet how could / go to
him with the gossip?
BY and by passenger engineer
named Frazer came to live at the Hill.
He was a man of 20, good looking,
good company and free banded. He
knew Jim well, and he soon got ac-
quainted with the wife. threw my
self in Frazer's way one day and told
him what public gossip said and left
1t to him whether he shouldn't stop be-
fore the home was wrecked. He laugh
ed in contempt When / became indig-
nant, he became defiant, and the result
was fight in which battered him up
uutll ne WAS III Dcu lOl q WCchs Oiu
Jim was sure to hear OF the row, Of
course, and the day after 1t happened
he looked at me In queer way as we
took our engine out of the stable.
felt sure he was going to speak about
the fight, but he checked himself after
a word or two. He had not only been
told about the scrap, but what had led
up to 1t as well, and there was only
one of two courses for him to take. He
must either bid me mind my own busi-
ness and let him attend to his own do
nestle affairs or take it for granted
that | was acting in friendly spirit
and be put upon his guard for the fu-
ture. When he remained silent. knew
that he had adopted the latter course.
l do not know what man or woman
my chum took into his confidence, but
it was some one who kept him thor
oughly posted. He must have reproved
argued and commanded. but the girl
wife either openly defied him or slyly
deceived him. Frazer was less bold
after tho row. and for a time seemed
as If harmony and happiness might be
restored. It was all q trick. however,