The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-08-10

IN URING the summer of 1898
was unlucky enough to be
IL without employment. was
stopping at San Bernardino,
California, having just returned
from tour of business and pleasure
in Alaska. had taken passage on a
steamer plying between Sitka, Alaska,
and Seattle Stopping off at that wide
awake western metropolis [ took in
the interesting sights, after which I
went by steamer and train to the
above mentioned place. Shortly after
my arrival there heard of an eccentric
character who had camp in the
mountains several miles from the
town. AS the man is still living in the
land of fruit and flowers, I shall not
give his name, but call him by his So
briquet, "Smiling Jack" which he GER
tainly was entitled to, always wearing
q smile, rain or snow, good luck or
misfortune never changing the ex-
preston of his genial countenance.
Ascertaining that his camp was
located in cluster of hills, some ten
miles southwest of town, I decided to
walk out and pay him visit There
fore, about eight o'clock one
morning I started out and, after walk
ing briskly for several miles, 1 reached
the mountains. After fatiguing
climb 1 at last reached an open space
in the woods, through which flowed
an ice cold stream of water, fed by
: several sparkling springs. Near the
largest spring stood q log cabin some
1Ox15 feet in dimension, the root of
which was covered with poles topped
with sod. Seeing no one in or near the
cabin and being thoroughly tired out, [
sat down on log near the door and
admired the beautiful view. Soon l
heard CHEEKY whistle and looking in
the direction from which it proceeded,
IsaWadvancing toward me with swing
ing stride one of the most noble look
ing men 1 have ever had the pleasure
of seeing. About six feet In height,
broad-shorldered, clean-limbed, and
fiaxen-colored hair carelessly brushed
back from a broad brow. AS he drew
near 1 arose to my feet and asked him
if l had the pleasure of addressing
Smiling jack
sReckon Pm the party" he replied
giving me one of his famous smiles
"Came out to see the balloon crank, die
YEP"
81 certainly came to see you, not be
cause they call you crank, but that
am interested in aerial navigation, ant
last, but not least, for the fact 1 hav'
been told you are truly happy man
who can discern the light of hope il
the darkest clouds of despair" an
swered.
SWELL" said he, "who could help be
ing happy with the sky for roof, tn
green earth for resting place and
conscience that has no debit marks o.
its pages ?"
Here was man whose acquaintanc
was worth cultivating. Offering hin
q cigar and lighting one myself l re
sumed my seat upon the log while h
lounged upon the grass at my side.
told him who 1 was, and shove
him papers to prove my identit!
When 1 told him among other excit
ing trips, of the wonderful journe
and escape had through subterrs
ueeus passage from Devils Lake an
being cast up by geyser in yellow
stone Park, he remarked:
"Great guns! You certainly hay
taken some wonderful trips, altho d
not envy you in that particular on
My boy, I believe you would make
frst-class air navigator. How woul
you like to join me In trip am col
templatingP"
81 believe should like it very mue
and if you are willing to accept m
company, I am yours truly, fly or fall
I returned to town and on Il
: following morning i again started OF
for aSmiling Jacks" camp. Upon n
arrival I found him busily engage
upon peculiar looking object locate