Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-03-13

He had merely dropped into MasoniN
in order to jeer at Jim and his efforts
to make a new beginning. Now he
looked around at the shelves in a fran
tic endeavor to oncoc an errand.
I'll take a can of lobster" he said
hurriedly. and then reluctantly was
compelled to pay 40 cents for the deli
cacy. As a matter of fact Sam Finney
hated canned goods of every descrip-
ton and as he was a lobster fisherman
by occupation his purchase appeared
almost ludicrous in his own sight as
well as that of the new salesman who
could not suppress a delighted grin.
Gosh. hang it. you no count loaf
err snarled Sam as he opened the
door: you needn't come around here
putting on airs. Next year. at this
time. you'll be back in the gutter
where you belongr'
Next year. at this time, you'll come
in here and take back those words. or
I'll thrash you" was Jim's cool retort
Jim Truscott's reformation was not
accomplished without heroic effort on
the part of the young man himself.
But the thought of his dead mother:
his father. whose pride he had been:
Of Milly. the girl who had faith in
him: of Dan Mason. who trusted him:
Of Henry Galen. who encouraged him
with long. confidential talks-all these
things helped to keep Jim straight on
the way toward the goal of respecta-
bility and happiness that he desired.
Little by little he re-established him.
self In the respect of his townspeople.
He was sober and Industrious; he earn
ed his own living. and the rental de-
rived from the big house on the hill
which had been his home and which
still belonged to him went to keep the
place in roper repair. II shall want
it myself next year." Jim had said
when there had been talk about re.
newing the lease.
No one could tell whether Milly OAR
row and Jim Truscott had. actually
made up their quarrel. Now, they
always spoke when they met, but II
there were moments of confidential
chat in the quiet store at supper time
no one knew save Jim and Milly. and
1t was remarked that both looked
happy and contented these days.
The year swung around to its close.
Again the last day of the old year
found the group of loungers gathered
about the glowing stove in Dan Ma
sons store.
t. kha lhf1N Af90A non Mnran ann.
ferred with Jim Truscott-a changed
Jim. indeed; clear eyed. upright and
strong In every sense Of the word.
While they talked of intimate things
Sam Finney shuffled up to the Office
door and thrust his weather beaten face
inside. He grinned sheepishly as his
eyes met Jim's blue ones.
81 say, Jim." he blurted out. 81 got
ter take back something ! said a year
ago-yon remember"
Jim nodded and held out his hand
'Thank you. Sam; you're "A man to ac-
knowledge it." said Jim heartily.
Gosh hang it. Jim!' muttered Sam
'huskily, you're the most respected
man in Seaport today"
Dan Mason gave a box of cigars into
Sam Finney's hand. Sam, yon car
hand those around to the boys, and
you can tell 'em that Jim Truscott's O
silent partner in this here store. but
tomorrow morning he's going to hang
u his lawyer shingle in the p~ostofice
building. where his father used to be
And. Sam. here's more news you'd ad.
mire to pass around-Jim's going back
to live in his own house. and there's
going to be a big wedding in Seaport
next month. and-well. you can guess
she rest"
When the delighted Sam had depart
ed to spread tie news. together with