The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-08-28
Mother MisSisSippi'S Voice

hllOMn NuCll hC Nab WHY ~'@~s
Clerk" of 1.-THE Belle Of the West"
Those were the days when the Yates
fortune was represented by three fig
ures, and during those river trips he
had laid the foundations for the pros
perity which now ran into eight fig
ures.
They reached Memphis at night, but
he insiested upon glimpse of the ma
jestic sheet of swirling, yellow water.
1t was like meeting an old friend, he
declared, and, with Ediths arm held
close to his side, he added
II never realized how tired was I'M
til 1 got within sound of my old
friends voice."
The next morning they went on
board the Valley Queen. Yates thrill
ed as his foot touched the deck. He
walked briskly to the little window
ON the saloon deck and exclaimed:
mfr. Clerk, want two of your best
rooms to New Orleans"
A blue-coated figure came close to
the window, a strong, masculine hand
held out some keys, and a voice
which made Mr.. Yates start answered.;
1.-The best two on board, Mr.. Yates,
and l hope you will find your trip
with us most pleasant and comfort
able"
Mr.. Yates glanced wildly toward the
shore. 1t was slipping away from
them. They were in mid-stream-and
the man at the window was Allen
Houston.
Retreat was impossible Graceful
capitulation was inevitable. Yates put
out his hand
Thereafter he divided his time be-
tween the deck, which he paced with
his daughter, telling her lively yarns
of his own days as a river-boat clerk,
and the office, where he shared Hous-
tons preoccupation with his duties.
There was something familiar about
1t all-the pleasant familiarity which
takes 10 years off a mans shoulder.
And Houston understood the work,
just as Yates had understood it years
before. Where he had started, Eous-
ton was starting.
Some times watching his daughters
face, he wavered. But no; 1t was i'm
possible. His own case had been ex
ceptional All rlver-boat clerks could
not be millionaires, and Houston was
merely of a good, upstate family
without social standing in the worlt
where Mammon ruled.
Yet Mr.. Yates found himself watch
ing young Houston curiously. IL
- wasn't half bad, this college-bret
d youth, who could dispatch office dutie
a with ease, placate patrons who fret
ted at the slow method of travel, ant
S. in an emergency could tell the decl
re hands more things about their ances
d try than Yates had dreamed of
< his own river life.
E.
They had quit the bluffs, and cotto
d had given way to cane and rice. In
few hours they would touch at Ney
lie Orleans The deck hands had all bee
r, paid off, save for the dollar which IL
er sured their aid in tying the boat
n the dock.
The clerks duties were over, his pr
q pers in shape, and the last landtn
ct made Mr.. Yates met him on the 81
m loon deck, and remarked, Lets go b.
4 low and watch those darkies lose a
IN their money"
The old life had him in it's clutche
Sc Down below they went. Away
nj the stern the engines pounded. T.
O. ward the bow the furnaces glowe'
ne Between the two, roustabouts ha
10 gather to gamble their earnings. Son
of the negroes were already pennies
n Others were flushed and excited
be their gains.
ms Yates watched the scene for an hou
laughing at the apt remarks Of II
ut gamblers. Wall street was forgOtte
ne Social ambitions died within him
es was again in Aliens place, a clel
lis without future, without great hope
IL Suddenly he turned:
bs MAN, they are happier than 1 ha
dared be since 1 stood where you a
.rs to-day. l am wondering whether it
he worth while-the struggle, the knOC
IN out blows one must give and tai
ny Mother Mississippi has been talking
re- me, Houston; scoldng me in her oV
he way. Edith told me once that mon
was not all and l reckon she
re right. At any rate, you may ask /
Ter if she still believes that If she do
not l won't stand between you"
ton An hour later the boat slipp
the around the crescent, past the C
docks and the fruit docks to
the levees. The rush of the water a
to the rudely melodiOus voices Of