The Holly chieftain., 1904-09-23

ever hear from John Burt jim? Nv
ailels said he'd turn up on top, some
day or MOTHER
Would you like 10 hear from
him. asked Blake. without raising
his eyes.
Would 1? Dye know anything er
bout him. jim? Dew ye really?'
There's "a man in the next room
who knows lot about him. replied
Blake. Come and meet him.
Blake opened John Burt's door ant
stood in the way as Sam entered
Johu was seated at his desk and did
not turn his head or make mov'
when Blake said:
to you"
Blake stepped outside and closed
the door. John deliberately blottet
an unfinished letter, rose and ad
vanced to meet Sam. who stood awk
wardly by the door. hat in hand.
Il am glad to meet you, Alderman
Rounds" he said, extending his
hand. Il have heard of you and wist
the pleasure of your acquaintance
Pray be seated. Alderman.
The sharp blue eyes of the visitoi
were fixed on the speaker and only
Tor an instant was he in doubt.
Il know We. John! God bless We
John. Heou are Sc. John Burt! I'm
plumb tickled ter death ter see We!
Well, well. Welt"
His honest eyes glistened as he
threw his hat to the floor and grasped
Johns hands with grip which
have made the average man vince.
And I'm glad to see you, Sam! 1t
seems like coming back to life to
meet you. Sit down and tell me all
about yourself and Rocky Woods"
"The last time saw ye, john" he
said, was under them maple trees
in front of the Bishop house. l reck-
or you amt forgot that night. You
galloped away in the dark on my
horse an l amt seen ye since. Now
you begin at the place like in them
stories which run in the Fireside
Companion where it says to be con-
tinued in our next and keep right
on up to the present time"
John laughed and gave Sam hur-
ried sketch of his career. He told
OF his voyage around Cape Horn, his
arrival in San Francisco, the search
for the mine described by the dying
sailor his meeting with Jim Blake.
the discovery of the gold mine, his
association with John Hawkins and
the incidents which led to the forma
ton of the firm of James Blake &
Company. John said nothing to lead
Sam to think that Blake was only a
representative, but the shrewd
Yankee guessed the truth.
81 swan. John. this is tew good tew
be true!" he gasped, shaking hands
again. You amt told me half the
truth, an we don't have tew. can
guess the rest. You're James Blake
e Company. You're the man who's
taught these Wall Street chaps a les
son. I'm proud of ye, John! Didn't ]
alters say somethin like this would
happen? An you can't have toe
much good fortune to suit me, John
an don't want thing from We. !!
just like tew see we win, because
well, because ye orter win"
Thank you, Sam
Don't it beat thunder how things
turn out?' observed Sam. Il saw
jim when he was down tew Rocky
Woods a few months ago, an when
he told me that he was the Jim
Blake, you could a knocked me down
with willow switch. l said tew my
self then, that had it been John Burt
| wouldn't been surprised. An now.
by thunder, it was John Burt who
did it after all. But how erbout Jim
Blake, John? If you're James Blake
G. Company, whom the dickens is
jim?"
II am not James Blake & Com
pany," said John with a smile. Il
am the Company. Jim has substan-
tial interest in the firm, and has done
much towards its success"
I'm mighty glad tew hear It," de-
clared Sam. but | reckon | can guess
who does the thinkin Jim's fine
Teller, but he alters was reckless an
careless, though mebbe he's out
grown it. Where is he? Send fer
him, John, an We'll all talk it over
together, like we did in the old days
back in Rocky Woods
John pressed button and an at
tendant responded.
"If Mr.. Blake is not busy, say that
should like to see him." he said.
There's one thing you haven't told
me erbout," said SAM, shifting his
feet awkwardly. Il don't want tew
pry into your private affairs, John,
but have you seen her yeti mean
Miss Carden?"
The door opened softly and James
Il Lon liz, hot IL