Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-08-25
JIM BRADY's STORY or
HIS KANSAS DAYS

Spokane Wash, Aug. l6.---JameS
H. Brady, governor Of Idaho, who Il
waglng whirlwlnd campaign for re
election is a strong, resourceful and
sbrewd man with an eye ever to the
main chance and the odd turn Of
business. He sticks to his friends
and never forgets favor or an In
4 jury. He is a westerner and his life
history in its way is as picturesque
as any that the fiction Of the pio-
neer Of the border has produced.
| ''If 1t were not for having to ex-
plain all the rest Of my life my | was
one-term man." he said In an Inter-
view in Spokane the other day,
nothing could induce me to run
again. But believe have done the
square thing by everyone and want
the people to endorse me-"
Brady is. a native Of Pennsylvania,
born in Indiana county in 1852. He
moved to Kansas with his parents
when a child. He landed In Abilene
one hot day in the summer of 1879
with 25 cents and determination to
get a Job.
While walking along the tracks in
the railroad yard at Abilene Brady
asked section boss for work, and
was told that John Hart wanted men
to assist at harvesting. The boy
spent his two bits for food, and
trudged to the Hart ranch arriving
after nightfall.
WELL" he said, walking to the
door, "I've got here at last"
There was no answer. Hart and
his family had finished supper and
they turned curiously to inspect the
boy. They did not greet him with
open arms, but stared coldly. Fin
ally Brady asked:
Didn't you want to hire hand?"
Hart looked the boy over again,
then said roughly:
eyes, l want man, but I've had
all want Of you tramps, dropping
In and working me for supper, lodg-
ing and breakfast. You come back
tomorrow after breakfast and I'll
give you a. job" "A.
Apparently the bottom had come
out OF things for Jim Brady. BewiN-
cred and disheartened, with no
knowledge Of the world, no beggar's
whine, no hard luck story, he sat
down hopelessly on the stone step,
while Hart turned away and went
about his evening work.
Presently a pan of potatoes, meat
and bread was thrust into his lap,
and Mrs. Hart stood beside him.
Don't you mind anything about
my man." said motherly voice.
"He don't mean half he says. He's
been bothered to death with them
shiftless tramps, but you've got q
good face. You eat your supper and
90 out and sleep in the haystack.i
Then tomorrow you get up and go to
chopping wood until one of us calls
you. Just keep chopping-don't
stop--till he or me calls you in"
Brady was asleep almost before he
had nested himself in the fragrant
hay, and went cheerfully to the
woodpile as soon as he woke. 1t
was Furnishing work, on an empty
stomach, but he kept at it--and he
had learned that and other farm
work from his father-until Harris
voice had called him into break
fast.
Can you plow?" asked Hart, after
breakfast. Yes, the boy could pillow.
"And handle mules?" next queried
his prospective employer. 0. yes,
Brady could handle mules.
How the first mule heEried to har-
ness kicked him over the fence, how
the Hart boys guyed him when he
tried to hitch up four abreast, how
he gashed his hand filing the coul-
ter at the end OF the mile-long fur
row, how he worked two days be-
fore he knew he had the Job clnched,
and how he protested to Hart that
he could never earn S22.5O q month
and board, and all part Of the
making good" for young Brady
worked for Hart until the school
teacher failed to appear as hired and
the old man had the boy apply for
examination and the Job.
Fresh from the Leavenworth nor
NAL college, the Abilene examination
was easy for Brady, and he was en-
gagged on the spot. Teaching school,
reading law and specializing in real
estate, be soon became something Of
a figure, with an office in town,
money in the bank, and as much
business as he cared to do. Then
came the second and more dramatic
....-, a., I'd. fgfa hiaforV.