New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
BY ROY NORTON

was man
Fora full minute Burnah leaned over staring at with
out seeing the gay bands and labels. His fat hands
rested quietly and without uemor on the scratched
glass TOP Of the showcase. Then his eyes suddenly
hared and he picked up the suitcase at his feet lie
whrcd until he looked at the prospcctor and scowled
al him hcrccly rcscntng something and while the
old man drew back pcrplcxcd Burmah spoke scarcely
above Il Whisper
~Your friend Tim. he said, with unusual slowncss.
awas a chumpl But shuc<s, he a man. He stopped
with an awkward abrupt motion, and picked up the
case and walked out % the pavement with lips that
were curously compressed and with fearless stare in
hi; eyes and strangely his short figure had taken %
dignity Of its own. He walked unwayerngy back
through the long street and turned toward the waters
Of the sound that glistcncd far below, then plunged
downward along the incline and out past the railway
station % the wharf where the boat that had brought
him % Seattle making ready % depart 10 her up.
ward trip. All indccsiOn gone from his action and
his appearance. He held his head high on his short neck
which seemed % have become a stubborn pillar. ln-
Welding and fixed His hat had lost It's careless angle
and his hands were cenched tightly as If for tat
the other round the leather handle u his suitcase lie
strobe firmly back over the gangplank that ne had
recently descended in irresoution and the suitcase was
dropped carelessy inside the smoking room door.
Going back 80 soon, Mr. jones' asked q friendly
deck steward and for a long time the man wondered
why Burmah Jones turned and smiled at him slowly,
and said:
"Yes, goin' back-goin' back 20 be a mani.
LIE waited for the boat 10 pull out cursng himself .or
IL ever having away in the first place. bar giving
himself no credit for having come out panic r.au 70
fight a moral battle with himself. His air was that q
logged determination. He stood leaning on Gle rail
when a voice, painting if from excrtion hailed hm
from the docks edge and he looked down ~ find Bill
lings waving at him.
@AIr Tonesl Oh. Mr.. Jones' shouted the manager
Of his Seattle office 81 was about 20 come up ~ you
at Port Hatch when saw you there the deck. Gene
YOU STAY over here today to talk % some who want
to do business with YOU personality:
For an instant Burmah hcstated fact that did no.
escape the eve OF his subordinate who had never before
seen him display any ndecision.
What are their names," asked Burmah cautiously.
Il don't remember, said Billings but the. said
they were in business back East with the same -heme
that Conover and his crowd worked and they van,
TO see YOU
Burfnah caught himself falterirgly For q moment
he had been inclined to dodge the possible issue "
ing Thornton and Carleton. Again he shut DDS Jaw
grimly and mastered temptation He would meet all
corners after this, matter what happened and the
men who wanted 10 see him those whom he bad
mulcted in another part OF the country the sooner
was over with the better. Then seconds thought con-
WINGED him they could not be the men. IL reclaimed
his suitcase and Joined Billings and took q Ca0 'o the
offices OF the Port Hatch Company where he busted
himself at his desk until the strangers should appear
They came late in the afternoon, three more Of the
same quiet type as Conoyer and Burmah was relieved
TO discover that all they wanted % buy Tor their
own speculations a subdivision Of the City Beautiful
For the first time in all his deals he unquaihedy
honest and straightforward
s." want to tell you sonethn before start IN 20 dis
cuss this sale at all he said, with unusual repression,
and that that we don't sell any land with the prom
Use or nothin' more than a hope that the railroads
gon to ever come there TO Port Hatch.
He waited and watched the effect OF his speech his
istrs straiahtened ND with sunrise and then --el