Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-10-08

THEY COULD NOT WALK. But CREPT.
today is the 22d. Sbeu pull out for Ju.
ueau on the morning Of the 26th; that's
three days"
I'VE must catch her" cried Emer-
son quickly. "If you'n land us IN Ka-
diak on time IN pay you anything you
ask"
"Td Ike 90. but can't" the man re-
piled. You see. I'm here all alone,
except for Johnson. He's the watch
man for the other plant"
Emerson turned his eyes upon the
hagCard man who sprawled weakly IN
q chair. And Fraser. noting the ap-
peal. answered gamely with a forced
smile on HIS lips. though they were
drawn and bloodless:
"Surel I'll be ready 70 leave In the
morning. pair
The old Russian village OF Kadiak
lies on the opposite side OF the island
from the canneries. bleak. wind
swept relic Of the country's frst occu-
paicn. and. although peopled largely
by natives and breeds, there IS also
a considerable white population. TO
whom Christmas IS a season OF thanks
giving and celebration. and It caused
much comment when late on Christ
mas afternoon an Ice burdened canoe,
BEARING three strange white men. land
ed on the beach beside the dock-or
were they white men. after an7 Their
faces were so blackened and split from
the frost they seemed to be raw bleed
ing masks. and their hands were crack
ed and stin beneath their mittens. They
were hollow eyed and gaunt, their
cheeks sunken away as II from a vast
ing Illness, and they could not walk,
but crept across the snow covered
shingle on hands and knees, then,
reaching the street. hobbled painfully.
while their limbs gave way as II paral-
yzed.
A week later Boyd and George were
watching the lights OF Port Townsend
blink out in the gloom astern. A quick
change Of boats at Juneau had raised
their spirits. enabling them to COM
plete the second stage Of their journey
In less than the expected time.
II suppose a Teller has got to dress
pretty swell back there in Chicago"
George veptpred. Full dress suits Of
clothes. ehY' .aa
yes" G4s'
''Did you ever wear oneT'
Certainly"
"Wen. III be- The fisherman
checked himself and gazed at his COM
panlon as II he saw him suddenly In
a new light fright along?" he ques-
toned incredulously.
why. yes; pretty steadily"
"All day at a timer
Boyd laughed. 81 haven't worn one
in the daytime since l left college.
They are used only at night"
"a Teller told me funny thing
once" went on George. ''He said them
rich men back east had women come
around and clean their finger nails and
shine 'em up. Is that rightT"
quite ri ht,"
well. don't suppose-you ever had
'em-shine YOUR finger nails. did your
Yes"
The big man opened his mouth TO
speak. then. evidently changing his
mind, observed. "Seems to me I'd bet
ter stay here on the coast and walt
for you"
''No. indeedr' the other answered
quickly. Il will need you In raising
that money. You know the practical
side OF the fishing business. and !
don't"
Finally the steamer locked. and the
three men put up at a hotel.
"You better train me up to wearing
a dress suit before we get east"
George warned. "or I'll make your
swell friends sore aud spoil the deal
could wear II on the ears and get
easy in IT,"
MY dear fellow. II takes more than
week TO get easy in dress suit"
Boyd smiled. amused at his earnest
L ness. for the big fellow was merely