The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-07-10

chubby hand under the tangled curls.
With cry Of Jack. my little jack
the father had his baby in his arms.
and there were two big miners crying
like women.
Little Jack was ms demonstrative as
anybody when he got his eyes open and
found who had him. When he got con
troll of himself, Walker asked Jones
where he found him. As the young
man explained the father held his boy
closer
"How did you get him out, Jones?"
"Went down and brought him up.
He lodged just above the jump off"
"Who helped you, Benz"
"NobOdy. | couldn't wait to go and
wake up couple of sleepy heads 200
feet away when he was likely TO slide
off any second. could I?'
did you go down that incline and
bring my boy up without any rope on
you, Benz
what could | do?' was the answer.
''You know the incline. | could tell he
was only baby, and If he moved he
was gone"
Eyes, | know the incline. He was
gone if he moved" said Walker, al
most under his breath.
well" proceeded Jones, "you
wouldn't have sat down and waited for
a rope, now, would you? 1t amt so
awful dangerous"
Walker didn't speak or look at Jones,
but somehow got hold of his hand and
If it hadn't been big and hard one l
am afraid would have crushed it,
Jones didn't mind, but said apologetic-
ally, Il didn't know he was your kid
Mr.. Walker"
81 don't care if you didn't" broke
out Walker fiercely you knew he
was somebody's. You can't lie to me,
Ben Jones' You know mighty well
how dangerous it was. l tell you, it
takes a man to walk into deaths door"
He jumped from his seat and with the
boy Rugged to his breast walked ex-
citedly across the cabin half dozen
times and tried hard to keep from blub-
bering. AS he sat down he said:
The grounds yours, Ben"
Fright you are" said Jones prompt
ly, glad TO get on a subject where he
could defend himself. and you can't
give it TO me. I'll hold it against you"
"No, you won't, Ben. You don't get
any fight out of me. The ground
yours tell you"
Little Jack was quiet until his father
raised his voice, when he broke in,
what you scold Uncle Ben for, papa?"
What is that, jack asked his IA
Their.
Him my Uncle Ben, papa. You
shan't scold my Uncle Ben" And the
little man put his hand protectingly on
Uncle Ben's" big fist.
1t was covered instantly. and Jones
resumed: Il reckon the courts would
give you the ground. Mr.. Walker. I'll
tell you what I'll do. I'll let the kid
have it, He won't apex me. VIII YOU
Jack?" Jack didn't know much about
the apex question. but did know he
was Uncle Ben's friend and TO show it
climbed over into his lap.
"No; Jack won't apex you, and no.
body else will. You'll keep the apex
and if the vein turns back under my
lines | hope you won't apex me-" said
the boys father. Put this won't do
l must let Minnie and the girls know
Jacks safe. I'll see you later, my boy"
wait a moment, Mr. Walker" inter
posed Jones. They know he is all
right. l sent Bob down. Let's settle
this business. I'm tired standing guard
I'll match you for the ground"
Good enough. my lad" replied Wal.
ker jovially. Heads you win; tails
lose"
NO but honest. now" said Jones.
"Well, heads | lose; tails you win.
That is the only way I'll match"
"Oh. give me show, now, Mr.. Wal
ker"