The Tupelo journal., 1914-11-27
PASSING OF i'm
BY 3. T. kAHMANN.

l was walking to the NINE Wnen
sard a CHEEKY whistle, and, turning.
Geld a tall, stalwart young fellow.
eyes, a smiling mouth, and at
! took a fancy to him.
smiled involuntarily and held
u my hand. He grasped. it eager
nd, shaking it, turned his head as
70 hide his emotion. You are the
man to treat me like this, and
amt W going to regret it,
/ raised my eyes, looked at the
IN, square jaw, and into the honest
and answered: Il know | shall
rom that day Jim remained. He
always jim; no one knew him by
other name, and he offered no
lanations. No n asked who he
S., where he came from, what he
ID done, or how long he intended to
y. They all met him quietly and
dly accepted his presence, and
N every man, woman and child was
] own particular friend.
Jim was no model, not by any
ans. He loved to stand before the
den Gate bar, most OF his earnings
ing to that source, but he never
ulged too freely, and he was eve
own to be seen under the influence
liquor. He was fond of playing.
DIS being one of his favorite amuse-
ats. He was much delighted when
won, but he always played fairly
3 sQuarely, and was ne 1er accused
cheating.
Che little children in particular
red Jim. He was wont to sit with
lozen or more perched about him,
on each knee, some leaning con-
emily against him; all eagerly lis
ming to some tale which he could so
'llfully invent. Many a trinket
ind its way into their homes. and it
IS always Jim's deed.
One bright and sunny morning a
up of men were leaning and loung-
in the Golden Gate bar. Jim and l
sre at a table playing cards.
The devil! I've won again." cried
a, slapping his knee in delight.
II bet that is the last game you
er win," | retorted jokingly.
Scarcely had / spoken when the
Or was flung open and a man, pant
e and breathless, threw himself into
% The dam in the mine has
IN way"
Great Cod" The cards slipped
IN my hands as | realized the ter
Bile meaning of his words.
1.-THE miners will be drowned like
is in a trap; there amt no way to
t out" the man continued.
I saw Jim turn pale as he put down
% cards. He seemed to study for
moment, then rose, saying: Yes.
ere is a way, only one way; they
mt get out of the east shaft, be-
use that is blocked by the breaking
the dam, but the wall, by breaking
at the pressure of the water will
released, the water will rush
the opening, and a few hours
ork will set them free"
do 0 know what it means to
seak that wall? Death for the one
ho attempts it. The water will surge
with such a tremendous force, TAX
g everything in its way. and the man
he would scarcely have time to
'alize his fate"
He did not finch; he acted as if
ere we're no need for excitement.
if it were an everyday affair. You
,oke truly when you said that was
last game of cards. 1t is, pal, for
m will never hold another ace"
What do you mean?"
II mean that that wall must be
oxen, and l am the man to break
and don't think it is likely that l
lall ever play after that"
Jim, you are crazy" The exclama-
On came in chorus from the crowd
'ound him.
"Oh, no l amt; it's got to be
We sprang forward, graspiug him
' the arms, but he shook himself
ee.
Let me go, boys, of what good am
anyway? | never did anything in
life. Why not let me do this?
on can't go; you have all got wives
Id children. Think of them and Of
men in the mine, struggling for
Re and freedom. with that awful
,ath in store for them. II no one
and helps, hundreds. your best
lends and all, will drown In the
inc, when they can be so easily
we'd. What is the cost of n life
hen it will save hundreds? Who
Ill mourn and weep when they
ing me back SO cold and still?
here won't be any tears. because
ere is no one who cares, and IL
lose hundreds perish, how great will
, the ruin and disaster? You must
I me go. Look! see those mothers,
Isten to the songs upon their lips