Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-12-30

/ me weird mother Jim confendcd.
If there hadn't ~ been. what do you
/ s'pose the Lord put ne here forgs
She looked him over as he stood in
the doorway the very picture of care
less indifference and shiftless good ma
ture
Well she replied. "he's the only
one that knows. and he amt told yet. =
When Mary Canby discovered that
Jim was beginning to .'act foolish. !"
she promptly but kindly told him of
the utter uselcssness OF his suit.
why don't you want to marry me.
Mary r. he asked in duh. dazed way,
as If ne comprehending the full pur-
port Of her decision. We've always
been friends. and you know you like
me-"
Il know. Him. she said gently, abut
like is not love. ana one cannot marry
without love-
do you love anybody else?" he ask
cd, quiclsening a little. 1--WE heard
that you thought good deal OF Jack
Muffin and him of YOU
Mary Candy was not coquetting with
Jim Doty.
Yes. Jim, do she answered
frankly, sand Jack and / are to be
married as soon as school closes for
the summer"
Jim choked, and the tears came to
his eyes.
Mother said wasn't any use in the
world, and | guess / amt" he said
bitterly, hopelessly.
''Oh. yes, you are. JIM" she encour-
aged him. "Your chance hasn't come
yet, but it will"
Il dunne," he sighed despairingly,
and, turning away. he walked slowly
homeward alone.
The village knew what was the mat
ter with Jim for the next month or
more, but it was considerable of his suf.
fering, and he heard no jeering word
nor the laugh that hurts.
Two weeks before the school closed
Jim was down at the railroad shops
where Jack Muffin was foreman. Hewas
there chiefly because he did not hap
pen to be elsewhere at the moment, and
he was sitting In the shade whiting
Possibly he was somewhat more ac-
tive than usual and was thinking, for
he had just seen Jack Murfin walking
across the yards toward a gap in the
fence, and he knew the date of Jacks
wedding day. They were not friends
in the sense of associates, but Jack did
not care how much Jim enjoyed him.
self about the place SO long as he did
not interfere with business, and Jim
had never been given to interfering
with business If it did not interfere
with him.
Intent upon his thoughts, Jim con.
tinued whiting until presently he was
recalled to his surroundings by shout
of alarm. 1t was Jacks voice, and,
looking through the gap In the fence,
he saw Jack lying across the rails, with
his leg twisted under him and his foot
fast in frog. He had passed out to
the main tracks, and Jim heard a train
coming. Quicker than be had ever
moved before in all his stagnant life
he cleared the space between them and
SAONa III lit u DIN Oftl Ills EiNsl DJO3s /
The heavy engine coming down had |
been reversed, but too late, and no pow |
er on earth could stop it. But Jim nev.
er faltered. Lifting the PROSTATE man
to a sitting position, he wrenched his |
foot from the fatal clutch, and, with q |
giants strength, he flung him outside |
the rails.
When. Jim's body was picked up q /
few minutes later, little life remain.
huttering spark, but enough |
to give the light that never fades.
Jim, jim" cried Murfin. taking him
In his arms.
ITS all right now, Jack" whispered |
Jim, opening bis eyes and smiling.
'Mary said | was some use In the
world and my chance would come some
time. Tell her.
His words had come painfully and in
gasDs. and they stopped with the SEN
tence unfinished. But Jack knew what |
to tell Mary.