The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-01-11


whole camp Who vas not bis friend.
The first time jim made his appear
ance vas on a chill September morn
ing 7 vas walking to the mine when
1 heard 8 cheeFy whistle and, turning,
beheld a tan. stalEart young fellow.
dark eyes. q smiling mouth, and at
once 7 took a fancy to him.
smiled inToluntaFily and held
forth nv hand He grasped it eager
ly and, shaking il, turned his head as
II % hide his emotion. -You are the
first man TO treat me Ike this, and
Jon amt never going to regret It."
raised my eyes, looking at the
firm, square jaw. and into the honest
face, and answered. 4 know shall
not
From that day Jim remained. He
Was always Jim; no one knew him by
any other name, and he ofierk0 no
explanations. No one asked who he
was. where he came from, what he
had done. or how long he intended to
stay. They al 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
means. He loved to stand before the
Golden Gate bar. most Of his earnings
going to that source, but he never
INDUCED too freely. and he was never
known to be seen under the influence
Of liquor He was fond Of playing
cards being one Of his favorfte amuse-
ments. He was much delighted when
be wca, but he always played fairly
and squarely. and was never accused
Of cheating.
The little children in particular
loved Jim. He was won't to sit with
a dozen or more perched about him.
one on each knee. some leaning con.
fdentiy against him; all eagerly list
ening TO some tale which be could SO
skillfully invent Many a trinket
found its way into their homes, and It
was Always jim deed
One bright and sunny morning a
group Of men we're leaning and
lounging in the Golden Gate bar. Jim
and were at table playing cards
The devil. I've won againl" cried
Jim, slapping his knee In delight
i bet that IS the last game you
ever win" retorted jokingly
Scarcely had spoken when the
door was flung open and a man, pant
ing and breathless, threw himself into
the room. The dam in the mine has
given way
Great Cod" The cards slipped
from my hands as l realized the ter
rible meaning Of his words.
The miners win be drowned like
rats in trap; there amt no way to
get out" The man continued
l saw Jim turn pale as he put down
the cards. He seemed to study for
moment, then rose saying, Yes,
there is way. only one way; they
can't get 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 win rush
through the opening, and few hours
work will set them free"
DO you know what It means "a
break that wall? Death for the one
who attempts It. The water viii si,rge
out with such a tremendous force
taking everything in its way. and the
mamie would scarcely have time Il
realize his fate
He did not finch. ne acted as II
there we're no need for excitement
as II It were an everyday affair. you
spoke truly when you said that was
my last game Of cards 1t is, pal. fol
Jim viii never hold another ace"
What do you mean"
II mean that that wall must be
broken, ana ] am the man to break It
and ! don't think It likely that / shal
ever play after that"
Jim, you are crazy!" The exclama
ton fell from 20 Hps in a single
chorus.
"oh. no amt; but it's got to bs
done"
We sprang forward, grasping hin
By the arms. but he shook himself
free.
Let me go. boys. Of what good an
anyway I never did anything ii
my life Why not let me do this
You can't go; you have all got wives
and children. Think OF them and d
the men in the mine, struggling 70.
life and freedom, with that awfa
death in store for them. II no ons
I goes and helps. hundreds, your bes
friends and all, will drown IN the
mine. when they can be so easll,
saved. What is the cost OF one life
when It viii save hundredsz WHO
will mourn and weep when they
bring me back so cold and stfii,
There won't be any tears. becauss
tAere Is no one who cares. and. i
bose hundreds perish, how great VII
as the ruin and disaster You mus
let me 90. Look see those mothers
Listen to the songs upon their lin
and see their smiling faces. Will The,
I ILL.,. q 90