Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1907-09-21

brought to him the sobriquet of Silent
JIM much as a man far above fine az
erage IN height is often nicknaned
Shorty. do know that he aroused
III everyone who saw him curiosity to
learn something Of him and his past.
Outwardly he displayed every evidence
OF refinement and address. one would
Judge, too that he had had the benefit
OF fond mothers care. Despite his
well-worn khaki uniform, discolored
boots and slouchy hat, there was about
HIM an appearance of scrupulous neat
ness. His massive, -proportioned
frame bespoke for him a wonderful
strength, while every 1neament of his
countenance might we'll have been the
envy OF the only son of Jupiter and
Latonia In addition, there was an in
describable something in his deneanor
that awakened in all deep, keen in
terest with favoring of pity.
That the entrance OF Silent Jim"
created such stir, was an occurrence
not at all unusual. He was an inveterate
gambler" and invariably lost. The
money that lie earned by toiling in the
hills repeatedly found its way to the
Golfers of the man behind the games
Naturally, each dealer was bidding for
Jim's game and his coin. Walking to
the corner near the stove, the subject of
this sketch placed there sack of pro-
visions which lie was to take to the
mines and a box of dynamite, an essen
tial factor with which to force an en-
trance to the treasure vaults OF nature.
Returning to the bar he drank little
nip of whiskey to warm the inner man,
as he expressed it, the money for which
was smilhgly refused by the bartender.
Meanwhile the shouts of the dealers
filled the air dispelling the stiffness that
had fingered DER the room before Jim's
arrival "Shot six, Jimmy Hicks, that's
the line; wade III, boys the waters
warm, came from the squeaky-yoiced
crap dealer; Seventeen, middle column,
second twelve, black and the odd side, y
announced the wheel man ITS al
cat-hop, two for one for a call, said the
lookout in the easy chair at the faro
game, while from the stud-horse poker
game came the announcement that chips
were dollar a stack and a vacant seat
remained for good player.
'Jim's" favorite game was the latter;
he could not resist the temptation. Pol
lowing closely upon the heels of the
booster s. spiel he sat in.
OF course, he lost What show had
he or any other man in a game in which
he was the only outsider? And it did
not take those experienced sharpers long
to strip poor Jim of every dollar he
possessed. Detected he arose from the
game after politely refusingthe dealers 5
mapnamious request to have drink.
A look of pity Swallowed his handsome
face. look that seemed TO say / pity
myself for my own weakness.
Like one whose mind is i'll at ease Jim
SLOWLY walked to the opposite corner
picked up his provisions and the box OF
dynamite and started for the door. Every
eve not closed in sleep followed his every
movement. The silence OF death en-
veloped the scene.
Reaching the stove, Jim stopped fof
moments that seemed to drag into weary
hours he stood there and engaged nm
elf in thought. Then, turning to the
gamblers, said:
"Bovs | am weighed down tonight
with sorrow. ! feel that must relieve
myself Of portion Of the burden, You
have all asked me many times to throw
some light upon my past Tonight
fae, somewhat in the mood and II my
story will interest you will let you IN
on little Of my life's history.
"yyA,reanxious. " cl1orused his hearers.
when the little crowd had gathered
arornd the man who for the first time
,ras 10 break the silence that had cliarac-
terized his career in Manhattan JIM
began. aao
left j happy home i'll the East e sesk
nv fortune in the West had fead ms lne
inr;ng stories Of the wonderful a,., ~,
lunims n this district, Of the sudaen