The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-13
The Revolt *
~ ~ of Jim.
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Observation-Disclosures
BY Helen Frances Huntington.

nj EVA Warrington checked her
IN pony's gait slightly as she drove
around the curve in the road leading
past the quaint old Trescott place,
which was delight to the eye, for it
was in the flush of early summer, and
the garden was aflame with blossomed
sweetness to the four winds. The long,
cool walks between the great poplars
were rose-bordered and the low white
picket fence was burdened with Grim
son ce-old-fashioned CHINA
mon roses whose damask petals
strewed the thick dust of the road.
Voices reached her from the wide
veranda, where a merry company sat
chatting behind the thin tendrils of a
cypress vine.
"Oh, do write and have them come
right away" said Minnie Kelly, the
second Mrs. Trescott's daughter. "The
more the merrier, you know. We can
have perfectly lovely time here all
summer. if we have big enough house
party" n
Il wonder where Jim comes in on
that proposition" said Neva to her
self, as she glanced toward the piazza
in search of the young host who was
not in sight. There were several Write
gowned girls. and two s.lIartly dressed
young men who sat on the yeranda
falling smoking and watching the
progress of the tea tahle which Mrs.
Prescott was setting.
A second turn in the read brought
Neva face to face with jim Prescott.
zl,n 81 sssssi ss evening psa,pT Ii
The doorway OF an old outbuilding.
whose environments showed that ii
served for a repair shop. A blapketeG
cot and chair and table were visible
N the dir background OF the rock be-
hind Jinl.
*So yos have moved. have you?''
aid Neya, with an inscrutabIe smile,
drewing rein beside the blossomed
hedge. How do you like your new
quarters"
ehe folks had unexpected COM
pan%" Jim explained, rising embar-
rassedly. land as there wasn't room
for night or two"
Il see." The corners of her beautiful
mouth curved scornfully $50 your
stepmother crowded you out to accom-
modate her guests. Do they permit
you to sit at their table. or do you
take your meals here, too?"
I'D rather not eat with them" Jim
declared in self-defense, "for I should
have to dress UP for each meal and
I can't very well spare the time now
that work is pushing"
-ySGu are contented to live like
tramp while your stepmother and
her friends live on the fat of your
lands? Jim Prescott, you haven't got
the grit of a jackrabbit!"
Jim's black eyes burned, and a vivid
flush underran the healthy tan of his
face. but being naturally slow of speech
and very much in love with Neva War
rington he was unable to express his
brimming thoughts, though his face
showed that her taunt stung deep.
Here you are, the rightful master of
the situation, great, able-bodied, SEN
sible. sane man, without spirit enough
to stand up for your rights against a
greedy. miserly woman for whom your
father made ample and just provision.
She not only lives on your bounty I'M
asked. but drives you out of your own
house to accommodate pack of silly
guests for whom you will slave all
summer without a whimper."
What am I to do?" Jim asked mis-
erably conscious of Neva's growing
scorn. "She won't leave without being
put out. and can't do that on fathers
account"
"Oh, of course not. Only man of
grit could do that" Neva retorted
scathingly. eff you had one grain OF
ordinary gumption, Jim Prescott, you'd
revolt like a man and send the whole
gang about their own business in no
time If nothing else would do. you
could sell the house over their heads
and let strangers force them to leave .
''Sell the old home!" Jim repeated
with a deep-drawn breath of regret.
''why ii would seem like selling my
own flesh and bloodn
''Fcur years of strife and imposition
must have endeared it to you unspeak-
ably" Neva scoffed. ct should think
you would loathe the very sight Of it
after the way you have been treated
in it."
"They would have to move out if I
should marry" Jim had the temerity
to say.
ooh. you'd never have the heart to
send away your stepmother and her