The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-06-02


a cabin load of sleepy directors. They
suddenly perked up with chorus of
questions concerning "the irresponsi-
BILE little scamp"
Yes, had found him in the interior
of the island. He had fallen in with
some Indians, and, well, to be quite
frank, he had asked me if the man
agement and directors missed him,
and if would convey to them his
apologies for leaving camp without
the usual polite exchange of good
bye and so forth.
This twaddle exasperated them as
had intended. Their language of and
concerning little Dickson shall have
to be fumigated before public use can
be made of it.
My violent and obsequious friend,
Captain Furioso, and | were alone in
the wheel house where he kept his
eyes on the company's mail bag. AS
espied the bag villainous idea seized
upon me.
Have a smoke, Cap'n?' 1 offered
the bandit this bit of eastern hos.
pitality in my most persuasive
pianissimo.
.'sCap'n,' began, leaning over his
smelly, little black and tan figure in
confidential, warm-hearted manner,
'Cap'n, wrote DR.. Bumpus of Juneau
a letter at the mine which | think
ought not to send him until have
seen some one in Seattle. Just let me
open that bag a minute and I'll with
draw 1t before forget it in the rush
at Ketchikan.'
Cert piped the captain, like the
good. brave soul that he is, heres
the key" Then looking around fierce
ly at nothing, he half whispered:
"Just turn the key in the wheel
house door. Them gents from Massey
chewsitt might butt in afore YOU
done It,"
So, having dome it" in jiffy, l felt
assured that the temporary custody Of
DR.. Bumpus' letter gave me control of
the situation created by my all-too-
precipitate friends the directors.
Just before we sailed from Ketchi.
kan enclosed the Bumpus letter in
one of my own and addressed it back
to the company's manager at the mine.
These letters. therefore, went to the
mine on the Mary AIMS return trip
and were in the managers hands on
the fourth day following our depar.
ture from Ketchikan for Vancouver.
This is what l wrote the manager,
man preposterously jealous Of his
official prerogative:
ST beg to enclose the letter you adj
dressed to DR.. Bumpus, pursuant to the
direction of your board while 1 was in
camp. In a fortnight DID. Dickson will
return and explain the important service
he has been rendering your company.
"Inasmuch as my counsel and advice
concerning your company has been the
object of my examination of its proper
ties and affairs. l suggest that nothing
be said to apprise DR.. Dickson of the
action of your board. nor Of its injustice
to him. should regard the doctors
resignation from your staff, at this time.
as serious calamity
Meantime, / am explaining the doc
tors absence to the directors while they
are on their way to Vancouver"
"Great little runt, that camp doctor
at the mine" soliloquized,s as we
finally debarked from the steamer and
settled into a Pullman bound for Sc
attic.
What's that?" came a screeching
and derisive chorus. He's little
beast, and If"
"Now, see here, gentlemen. I've de-
termined to raise you to the lofty level
of that little cut, between here and
Seattle. or wreck this train in the at
tempt"
So told them of the heroism OF
this runt of the wilderness, and heard
their spivels and saw their tears, their
hedging and squirming and justifying
and all that men do whose conduct
should bring regret and remorse
A month thereafter received this
assuring report:
.'Ketchikan. IS. Alaska
Dear Mr.. Bobs:
"I'm well againfi btu badly spocked. Got
away from the Cape as soon as dared.
and came here. The squaw pulled
through. but her kiddies died 1 envy
them. The buck was almost decent while
him aplenty when l get strong again.
Two of the boys went to the mine.
sneaked my things aboard the Mary Ann.
and left my written respects for that
manager. l shall have him also to beat
up when he comes my way. There's
rumor here that he has been discharged.
i've heard something of what you did
for me with them chronological gents
from the East. Much obliged. I'm goins
to hammer the binacle Off the one with
the blue whiskers when he comes to
Alaska again. Keep this quiet, so III
have him to look forward to.
Much obliged for the port wine and
other good things from New York. I'm
going on the stan OF the Nellie Mine next
month. A big bunch of the boys at the
Coplan Mine want to go with me, but
won't do that sort of thing.
yours in Iodoform.
Eleven days later received the
following telegram from the jubilant
Dickson: