The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-11-07
Fighting
 Jim's' Claim

zas a man appeared In Billion gulch and located a claim He was a power ful fellow and a bully, and it was not long before his nelghbors were afraid of him. He didn't trouble them to re- member his name. and they gradually got used to calling him Fighting Jim." "
 One day Jim told his neighboro that he was going to Frisco. He intended leaving his cabin unlocked and bis claim unprotected "just for the fun, " he said. "of seein' somo galoot jumper when get back. bunkin' in the one OF workin the other" Then he added 'Ye'u see somepin happen" With this he departed.
 There was none Of the people of Bil- lion gulch SO rash as to interfere with either of Jlm's properties Several strangers came along. took a look at the claim. were duly warned and de- parted. Jim's belongings were cOnsid- cred as safe as if be had left a dozen men for It's protection.
 One day a young fellow came to the gulch. asked a great many questions about the prospects of gold, claims to be had and claims not to be had Incl dentally Jim's claim was mentioned, with the usual warning That night a light was observed in Jlm's cabin, and the next morning the stranger was at work In Jim's claim. A self constituted committee of the most prominent citi- zens proceeded to the hole that had been dug and kindly informed the youngster that be was not only wasting hls time. but that Jim, when he re- turned. would necessitate their burying the jumper at the public expense. The fellow put hls hand in bis pocket and, taking out a bag of gold dust re. marked.
 'I'm no sponge to bring unnecessary expense on my neighbors Take that for security" With that he resumed bis pick and the committee departed to spread the news through the gulch that there was a lunauc working Jim's claim and the gulch was sure on Jlm's return to be disgraced by It's first murder
 In a couple Of weeks Jim returned. He gathered all be met into the prin- cipal saloon of the town to drink to his return and several citizens took ad- vantage of the fact to break the news or the Jumping of his cabin and hls claim and to strive to induce Jim to bring no disgrace on the hitherto peace ful community. Their efforts were vain. Jim had scarcely heard of the outrage when. hltchlng his revolver forward. be left the saloon in hot haste to wreak vengeance on the stranger The crowd followed with bated breath. On nearing the mine the peaceful sound of the pick was heard Jim. dis Ialning to take advantage of an un- warned enemy. strode up empty hand ed to the side Of the hole The Jumper went on picking the earth, and Jim growled:
 Hello you therer
 The yOungster turned his oval face, delicate except the mouth, which was arm as adamant and replied:
 Hello Jim"
 Jim stood paralyzed, and the jumper 
 'Tve understood from these people that y're goln' to make hash O me. If y do. y're a good deal changed from what y' were last time I saw y. ] reckon this western air must ha' put a lot O starch Into y'."
 sun Jim stood mute, and those who had come to see him "chaw up the stranger wondered
 "I want y to understand" the jump CT continued. that this claim belongs to me. While we been fooln' yer time away at Frisco I've been a-work. n' lL Now. git down here and go to work. Gentlemen addressing the crowd -"the shows over. There isn't a-goln' to be any funeral today nor to, nor none at an So y might as well go about yer business"
 The party walked slowly away, leay. Ing Jim and the jumper together From that day Jim was @ changed man. He talked no more of fighting kept away from the saloon. devotng bis time to the working Of the claim which had apparently passed Into the control of the stranger Then sudden Iy the jumper disappeared. AS soon as be had gone Jim stopped work. His old associates expected that be would reveal the mystery. but be maintained absolute silence. Weeks passed, then Occasionally Jim would wan der Into the saloon. apparently to kin time. but was careful Of bis pOtadOns and bis words.
 One day a letter came to Jim bearing a New York postmark. From the mo ment of Its reception Jim was again This time lt was a different change; he was hilarious. He gather cd the people of the gulch Into the sa- loon and treated all round Then he went to his cabin and to bed. The next morning the cabin was empty. Jim had disappeared
 Its as plain as the nose on yer face" said the chief citizen. 'Jlm was wanted for murder. It wouldn't do DO good for him to kin the jumper Bence he'd been located; 80 he bribed him to go back and clear the coast for him to take to other cover. That letter tols him that the plice he'd been fool ed"
 One day a party of professional mine operators appeared ln the gulch md