The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-05
..JIM.'
pY FRANK H. SWEET

{ "JkMs pY FRANK H. SWEET
 (copyrisht. 1904. by Daily Story Pub
 Iishing Company
 Jim Collins was born and bred in the mountains. with no ambition in life ex- cept nAture until Edna Jackson came there one summer with her father, who was interested in mines. She was 2 lover of nature, too. and Jim natural iy became her guide. A little later he began to buy books to educate hiin- self. After they left he peeled tan bark for awhile. and with the money bought a small piece of ground In the notch between the two mountains, where railroad was proposed to be run
 The next spring the railroad came, and in the notch mining town com menced to boom, with the railroad sta ton almost joining his land. specuia- l tors began to inquire for the owner, but Jim could not be found. He was away at school now, working stub borniy Into a knowledge of books. Three years later the town was q small city; then Tom Jackson return | cd and opened real estate office for the sale of mining stocks and. city property. Jim saw the notice in a pa-
 per at school. and two days later he was back at home. The same evening he called at the Jackson residence. where Edna received him with frank
 eordiality. Her father was in the room. reading.
 "Papa," she said, advancing to him with her guest, "this is Mir Coliins-- my guide, you know"
 | Mir. Jackson looked up tnpatientiy. Then he seemed to remember some
 thins, for he rose and shook hands cof-
 dialiy.
 "0iad you've come home. Mfr. Col- | Iina.' he said. T want to have talk | with you about that piece of ian6a
 Half a dozen men aFs eager to secure
 it. Prices are minated now and 1t is a good time to sell. If you will put the | land in my hands l can secure a rare
 bargain for you"
 | "Well," returned Jim doubtfuIly; T
 hadn't thought of selling, but saw my brother Tom today and he needs $50 pretty bad I've promised to raise it. Could you advance that much if
 let you have the land to sellf" | "FTfty doliars!'' contemptuously.
 ''You can have q hundred times fifty if you want 1t. Why man alivei your
 land Is worth sso.o0o easy" He took
 out his watch and looked at it hurried
 ly. Suppose you stop at my office
 when you come down town. I've an
 overdue engagement now" | As he left the room Edna turned to
 Jim.
 "what made you deceive msT' she asleed, in a displeased voice. T thought you were . poor man. working for q
 living. and here you are worth sse.- 0O0."
 T hadn't the least Idea of it." he an-
 swered indifferently. T didn't pay much for the land. and haven't given if
 much thought. But I'm glad. if you
 are glad."
 Edna looked at him and, laughed. You are strange fellow. Jlm," she
 said.
 After this he was 6 frequent visitor. Sometimes he had business with Mir. Jackson, but usually he brought some curious plant or stone he had found in | the woods. When the land was sold he objected to receiving the money. He had no place to put 1t, he said. would not Mfr. Jackson be kind enough to
 keep it in his safe for awhile. So Ma Jackson put it back in his safe.
 One morning there was . sudden consternation in the town. The bank that the cashier had Absconded with all its available assets. The next day several business houses put up their l shutters, and within week real es- | tate had dropped to fraction of it's l former value. Nearly ali business was suspended, and men skulked around corners as though they would avoid creditors or perhaps the sherin. Jim had been absent on a hunting trip. When he returned he was sur prised at the gloomy streets and worn A ~A e. the Jacksons.
 Whats the matter with every body7" he asked. q Edna told him in few words and then added. anxious1y: Y am afraid papa has lost some i thing-he is so nervous and downcast. He did not eat any breakfast this morning. whati more specimiensT' Jim nodded and placed a small pack age on the table. As he did so he mo- ticed q photograph which he had not seen before. Taking it up he examin- cd 1t critically.
 "A good face" he said. approvingiy. T reckon he's man worth knowing 9 He is indeedF warmly. T wish you could meet him, Jim. am sure that you and he would like each oth- err"
 Some of your foIksr' 'N-po, not exactly" delicate flush coming into her face. T expect he will be my husband sometime. He is in Europe now, finishing his studies" The photograph fell to the floor. She ] sprang toward 1t with 6 quick cry, but as she looked at his face the impatient words died on her lips. why, Jim! I-I didn't know. I never thought" she began Then she stopped. Words were so inadequate. Jim turned and walked to a window. When he came back his face was calm.
 T reckon you'l1 like the specimens" he said simply. They arc the most in- teresting have found. No. not now"
 as she was about to open the package.
 q must be going"
 -Sc soon?H