The Nome daily nugget., 1910-11-05

Nome. Joe would swear tn anythiu- = if there was any dust forthcomiu.E Some said that Joe would even stoor su low as to take oath that he was q white man at heart n he was request td to dln SD. Hines was a bad man ir every sens" oI the word. He coulo and would lie, cheat, steal. swear and light with an adaptnesS seemingly un- mural His morals. if he had any were of the lowest order Joe Hines was never at home with an honest man, but in the rear end of a saloon where loafers and thieves held forth he was eloquent and well liked That was why the supposedly reputable Ffnanza Mining concern offered the de relict ten thousand dollars for two months work. Tn describing Joe Himes, l intended to attach the word worthless" to the list of adjectiyes which portrayed his character and abil ity but on second consideration l find that the man is not worthless-the worthless" Daniel Webster defines In his big book.
 At the time Hines was offered the position of affidavit man with the Fin Snza. that concern was in dire need of man of Joe's caliber as they had any amount of claims to prove up.
 'Tis true, there were many profess sionai affidavit men floating around Nome at this time but they were. as whole coarse and uncouth in their work.
 So Joe Hines took the position with inc Ffnanza and prospered with the mining company
 Days flew by and the last day of Hines contract with the Ffnanza had arrived. Al two o'clock he was to ap pear in court and swear that the Fin. anza had done one hundred dollars. worth of assessment work on the nlnc hundred claims they owned and con trolled. The morning of that day Hines little baby daughter and wife
 
 states. The affidavit man had not seen his wife and five -year-oId daughter since the time he left Seattle. four years ago.
 Hines got up early the morning of that eventful day. dressed himself i'm macuiately and strolled down to the beach 10 receive his wife and daughter lie was nervous-exceptionally SO He llt cigar after cigar and shifted uneas- ily. What was it that made the usna, cool and debonaire Joseph Richard Hines So uneasy that day?
 At last the Victoria appeared in the foadstead and soon after those pas sengers. who were in haste to arrive on shore. paid two dollars to man and were conveyed to the beach In a launch. instead of the more uncertain lighters.
 When the lacnch was landed through the surf and onto the beach Mrs. Hines and daughter were the nrst to step from the craft
 Joe rushed forward and greeted them enthusiastically but there was not the smile of old upon his wife's face. Nor did little Naomi. his daughter show any signs of lightheartedness
 Quick. Joe. take me to your nrivata office. Don't waste a minute-I have something important to tell you. If was plain to be seen that Joe's pret,v lttle wife was agitated.
 Whats the matter. kiddie? hone you are not ill.," returned the affidavit man.
 Never mind now. Joe but let us hurry. l must talk ta you!
 At last they reached the offices Of the Finanza and Joe conducted his family into little square room. The door was aJar and on the sheet or glass which embodied the upper panels was painted. Joseph Richard Himes-chlef assayor." o. what lie those words bore. Hines chuckled to himself to think how easily his wife was de- ceiyed. Little did he know then that she knew all
 Shut the door. Joe, and then sit down" said Mrs. Hines in an authori- tive voice.
 Joe was surprised. He had never heard his wife talk to him in such a tone before. But he did as he was bid
 Joe" began the little woman, you must not swear that the Ffnanza Min ing Company has done one hundred dollars worth of assessment work on their nine hundred claims and for God sake. Joe. make ready to leave on the next boat ont. They're after you. boy."
 Joe paled. His fingers neryously beat a tattoo on the arm of his chair and the cigar in his mouth dropped to the