Mexico Missouri message., 1904-09-08

Jchni Heou are ye, John Burti I'm
plumb tiokled tex death ter see ys!
We'll, well. well!"
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, Saml It
seems like coming back to life to
meet you. sit down and tell me all
about yourself and Rocky Woods"
"The last time | saw We, John" he
said, was under them maple trees
In front of the Bishop house. l reck-
on you amt forgot that night. You
galloped away in the dark on my
horse an I 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 a 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 G
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
&c Company. You're the man who's
taught these Wall Street chaps a les
son! I'm proud of ye, John! Didn't l
alters say somethin' like this would
happen? An you cant have too
much good fortune to suit me, John.
an / don't want a thing from ye. /
just like tew see we win, because
well, because we orter vim"
THANK you, Sam"
Don't it beat thunder how things
turn out?" observed Sam. 81 saw
jim when he was down tew Rocky
Woods few months ago, an when
he told me that he was the Jim
Blake, you could a knocked me down
with a 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
& Company, whom the dickens is
Jim?"
81 am not James Blake & Com.
pany," said John with smile. Il
am the Company. Jim has a substan'
tial interest in the firm, and has done
much towards it's success"
I'm mighty glad tew hear it," de-
clared Sam, but 1 reckon l can guess
who does the thinkin'. Jim's a 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 a button and an at
tendant responded.
"If Mr.. Blake is not busy, say that
l should like to see him." he said.
There's one thing you haven't told
me erbout," said Sam, shifting his
feet awkwardly. 81 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
Blake entered so silently that Meth
err heard him.
81 have not seen Miss Garden" re.
piled John. "She is not in the city d
Eyes she is" asserted Sam eager.
ly. 81 saw her yesterday ridin' down
Fifth avenue"
ITO be continued)