Warren sheaf., 1907-01-10
JIM
By B. T. kAHMANN

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0oREEtght. by Daily Story Pub, Co.,
Wo all Liked Jim, not man in the
whole camp who was not his friend.
Fhe first time Jim made his appear
ance was ON chill September morn
ing. I was walking to the mine when
heard CHEEKY whistle and, turning,
beheld a tall, stalwart young fellow,
dark eyes, a smiling mouth, and at
once I took a fancy to him.
I smiled involuntarily and held
forth my hand. He grasped it eager
iy and, shaking it, turned his head as
il to hide his emotion. you are the
first man to treat me like this, and
you ain't never going to regret it,
l raised my eyes, looking at the
firm, square jaw, and into the honest
face, and answered, II know 1 shall
not"
From that day Jim remained. He
was always jim; no one knew him by
any other name, and he offered no
N~> AVN OAO cI%oASN "Ao LIZ
was, where he came from, what he
had done, or how long he intended to
stay. They all met him quietly and
gladly accepted his presence, and
soon every man, woman and child
was his own particular friend.
Jim was no model, not by any
mesna. He loved to stand before the
Golden Gate bar, most of his earnings
going TO that source, but he never
ind ulsed too freely, and he was never
known to be, seen under the influence
OF hanor. He was fond of playing,
cards being one of his favorite amuse-
Henss- He was much delighted when
he wsa. hzt he always played fairly
and ssnare8g, and was newer accused
of cheating.
Tse hssae zshildrea h particular
lowed Hm. He was went to sit with
a aessa or nao1e peachaA about him,
one On each knee. se1ne leaning con-
ftdsnsay aaaansA fhtnx all eagerly list
entaS to some <tas Witch hs could SO
siksn haReut, Many trinhet
found Ms wsys1nto their homes, and it
was alsseR Mm1s decd
oas biSa and s,nay marning a
group Of mAn we4s leaning and
lanagasg IN ths @offan Gate bar. Jim
and I wezs at table playing cards,
'"Ehs aa&fN Fpe won again" cried
Jim, stepptng his knee In delight.
T VT that is the last game you
ever wsa.' I rstorted tskangly.
seaToeV had spoken when the
door was flung open and man, pant
ing and breathless, threw himself into
the FeSm. 'AThe dam in the mine has
givea way"
''GRsat God!" The cards slipped
from my hands as 1 realized the ter
r1hle meaning Of his words. ~,
"Ehe miners will be drowned like
rats IN trap; there amt no way to
set oat," the man continued.
I SEW Jim turn pale as he put down
the cards He seemed to study for
a moment, then rose saying, "Yes,
there is way, only one way; they
can't got out of the east shaft be-
cause that is blocked by the breaking
Of the dam, but the wall, by breaking
that the pressure OF the water will
be released, the water will rush
through the opening, and few hours
work will set them free"
'sDo you know what it means to
break that wall? Death for the one
who attempts it. The water will surge
out with such a tremendous force
taking everything in it's way, and the
mamie would scarcely have time tc
realize his fate"
He did not finch; he acted as if
there were no need tor excitement
as if it We're an everyday affair." "You
spoke truly when you said that was
my last game Of cards. It is, pal, for
jim will never hold another ace."
What do you mean?"
Il mean that that wall must be
broken, and am the man to break it
and 1 don't think it likely that I shall
ever play after that"
Jim, you are craZy!" The exclama
ton fell from 20 lips in single
chorus.
"Oh, no I amt; but it's got to be
DONE"
We sprang forward, grasping him
by the arms, but he shook himsel1
free.
LET me go, boys, of what good am
I anyway? I never did anything in
my life. Why not let me do this
You can't go; you have all got wives
and children. Think of them and OF
the men in the mine, struggling fo1
life and freedom, with that awful
death in store for them. If no one
goes and helps, hundreds, your bes1
friends and all, will drown in the
mine, when they can be so easily
saved. What is the cost of one life
when it will save hundreds? Who