The Nome nugget., 1902-05-24
WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN,

Nome is passing through period of expectancy. A long time has elapsed since the last steamer left Boring sea for the south. Since November last the people of Nome have been "up against it" and them selves. To add to the general dsconent and melan- 4cholia which isolation is supposed to bring, our mail service has been comfortless. The letters tat nearly all the people looked for never came. Seven months of winter is long time under most favorable cond- tions: but when it is coupled with isolation most con- 'plete it is rot strange that and women should grow restite.
 These days in Nome all eyes are turned -seaward, watching for welcome smoke that will herald the ar,- 'proach of steamer from that wonderful place which we in Northwestern Alaska call the "odslde." Our friends and neiphhco in Southeastern Alaska speak of it ns "below." We do not know why but it an- swers the purpose; neither do we know why we in the far north should speak of 'the outside" except, perhaps, because we encased in ice, so to write, for the longer portion of the year. Nevertheless, usage is everything in this case and it is very likely thatfcryears to come the residents of this section will centnue to speak of "the outsde,' even after lines of railroad connect with Iliamna bay and our Asiatic neighbors.
 We said that Nome is passing through period of expectancy jnst now. Few, we think, will deny it. For days past people have been waiting and watch ing, and praying perhaps for the arrival of the first steamer" No blame them. The breaking of long period of isolation much for the isolated. There are benefits to be derived from soa tion, but it also has its disadvantages millstone and the human heart ever driven round, it is said, and if they have nothing else to grind they must themselves be ground And just now, if we are not greatly mistaken, there is tendency the part of nearly everybody to be hypercritical As friend of the writer put it the other day, 'every man hates himself and puts himself out to be hateful to his neghbor; he jumps his best friend without provo >eation, and the meaner things he say the better he is pleased" All of which is no doubt true in degree When people have nothing themselves to do the first impulse is to devote their spare time to their neighbcrs and their affairs Their tongues run riot for the tongue is evil member breeding deadly mischief No escape the tongue of the scandal monger and the vicious minded
 Nome of late has been filled with the most atro- such as would blight New England village or Southern mountain town. We may trace it's origin to the fact that people have had nothing else to do than to waste their time in such vain and pro6tless pursuit. Time may be spent proftahy here as else @ where, though the winters are long and dark and dreary. The worst enemy man has is his mouth and we gently lysuggest that this remark may also be with truth applied to what is termed the gentler sex - The opening of navigation will furnish us a vent :; we will forget our small personalities for time and devote energies to things more elevating and refining Therefore we will hail with acclaim the first ship"