Iditarod pioneer., 1916-12-09
PICTURE OF OUR PERCY"
 BRINGS QUERY FROM EAST

Another illustration of the saying that this old world is a pretty small place after all is contained in a letter which was re- ceived by The Pioneer in last weeks mail from a lady in Pennsylvania, in which she says she understands there is picture in this office of A. B. Ferguson, who she be lieves is her brother, and asking for the loan of the photograph for the purpose of iden- tficatlon. The lady does not say from whence she received the information as to the location of the picture
 The photo in question is that of the well
 known "Fergy," who was resident of Idit
 arod in the early days of the camp, and who was likewise well known in other sec
 tions of the territory and in Dawson. His picture has occupied prominent place in The Pioneers gallery of distinguished, ec centric and otherwise noteworthy Alaskans, and undoubtedly the fact of its existence has been reported by some resident of Idit- arod who is acquainted with the lady Describing her brother, The Pioneers cor respondent says:
 "EIe Is rather goodloo}ling (at least 1 think sol, tall, blond, has reddish hair, big, navy blue eyes large hands long fingers, and IS of type one would readily notice.
 lc might be called round -shouldered, from stopping over his work while young. He
 decidedly peculiar in disposition, thinker rather exclusive, and at one time
 was quite religiously inclined-a Presby terian, member of the church in Ottawa, Canada. If questioned about himself he
 would be apt to inform you to attend to your own business"
 The name of the lady's brother was Will
 am but she thinks he may have changed his given name. But the description given
 Ioes not at all fit our ''Fergy." For in
 stance, even the biased judgment of a sister could scarcely find excuse for pronounclng him "rather good-looking' "Fergy" also may have been a trlhe stoop- -shouldered, but 1 his friends will never admit that this was
 lue to hard work, even during the callow
 and inexperienced days of youth and if the
 description fitted him in every other re pect, the statement that he was rather ex clusive' would be sufficient to prove that
 Fergy" was not the man sought No one i ,ould ever associate eXcluslveness with "Fergy" As to his religion, the opinion seems to be that Presbyteranlsm was not the denomination with which he was con nected. Finally, if asked about himself far rom insulting his interrogator, MT. Fergu- on would probably concoct story to suit
 he occasion, with plenty of detail and sui icient romance to furnish material for the composition of a work that would not have named Dumas.
 No, we are sorry to inform the lady that A. B. Ferguson is not her brother; but we nave loaned her the photograph, that she nay gaze on the classic features of the man
 vho was right as a golden guinea" with
 the erstanding that 1t be returned to occupy its former prominent position In our gallery of celebrities, of which he IS far from being the least noteworthy.
 Many good stories are told of "Fergy,"
 1ne of which is typical of the man. While he was in IditaroI his wife was away on a trip Outside "Fergy' who was of most generous disposition, and great mixer" had access to the family Dank account, and his prodlgality made great inroads on the fund. When Mrs. Ferguson returned to the city 'Fergy" accompanied her to the bank where a statement of the account was handed to her The reduced balance indi- cated was great shock to the good lady, who was rendered speeches. by the revela- ton of "Fergy's" spendthrift habits In stead of returning to their hotel, they walked some distance toward the outskirts of the town in silence, 'Fergy" waiting for the expected storm to break, and the lady probably doing some deep thinking. Finally
 hey sat down on pile of building ma terial, and Mrs. Ferguson opened the attack thus: "Oh Al, why didn't you tell me that you had spent this great amount of money?" The mildness of the reproof was surprise to "Fergy," but it gave him cue "Girlie," he said, q knew you would reprimand me- and just couldn't tell you Harsh words from you would just break my heart" accompanied by. the tremolo stuff that is used only in melo- drama It had the desired effect, and the good lady threw her arms around her penl- tent husbands neck and sobbed "Oh, Al, you are just the lovelest man, and the incident was closed