Smyrna times., 1925-03-25
Calls a Long
Way
By MARTIN M. CHESTER
%. 1875. Western Newspaper Union.J


Promise"
Jim Carter stopped pOmmelling, but
still held his younger brother John to
the ground by a knee and one strong
hand. John glared up furiOusly as he
struggled for freedom, but without
words
Look here" Jim continued, Dad
told you to mind me while he was gone.
And he told me to look out you didn't
do some fool trick and get hurt or
killed. So if call you, you drop what
you're doing and come. Get thati
2rOmise?"
This was after supper and the boys
did not meet again that night. Next
morning John did not answer the
breakfast bell. His father was sum-
mOned, and the police set to wOrk-all
to no end. The only word or trace Of
John was the scrawl he had left in his
room: II told Jim he'd have to call
long way if he wanted me to come, and
l don't know as LII come then"
And even when, as Judge James
Carter, Jim had become famous as the
"chlldren's Judge" he was still search
ing for John.
Then one day friend in New York
telegraphed that a man about Johns
age had been picked up unconscious
after a street accident-tOO injured
about the face for recognition, but
bearing papers that seemed to identify
him was John H. Carter.
Jim was immensely stirred. Again
and again clues had led him to some
John Carter-always to the wrong one
But "H," he said to himself. "JOhn
! II. Carter" And he swiftly put his
desk in order that he might start at
once for New York
"A woman to see you, judge" said
his confidential clerk. IT'S about that
boy, Pete Blainey."
Jim looked at his watch. 81 have
ten minutes-nO more"
The wOman's story was a familiar
one, but hard for Jim to hear just at
that moment. Her boy Pete and his
older brother Jerry couldn't get along
Jerry meant well, but was rough and
bOssy-thOught he had to take his
fathers place. And Pete had grown
impudentr-even at the office where he
wOrked-and yesterday the boss had
given him the sack. Now things al
home were worse than ever. Wouldn't
the judge help?
Jim explained that he was just start
ing for New York but would take tn,
matter up at once on his return.
The woman burst into tears. You'll
be too late! Pete's fixin' to run off.
come on a bunch of his clothes tiet
up. It'll be tonight, and I'm afrait
he'll steal money to go with"
But" Jim began, "but 1 toll
you"
Jim's head bent to his hands upO1
the desk. I'm calling from fan
John" he cried in his mind. "Com
back-don't go off again, John. I wan
another chance" His head lifted an
he smiled at the woman: 'Il do wha
can," he said aloud.
Twenty minutes later he sat in tn
Office Of the mining expert who had dis
charged Pete Blainey. The desk telC
phone rang sharply, interrupting hi
! plea for Pete's reinstatement
That" said the expert, excusin
himself as long distance from Tucsol
Arlz. BY the way, it's from a man {
your name"
The habit of following up every clu
had become second nature to Jim. G
course John was lying in New York
perhaps at the point OF death-and "
WHATS this particular Carter
given name?" he asked rather wearil,
But the mining expert was alread
talking: "Heno" he asked. "Joh
2 H. Carter"
"What| exclaimed Jim. "WhC
Let me--Give me that" He rushe
toward the desk
Judge Carter speaking, long di
tance" introduced the expert as /
gave up the telephone.
Hello! John II. Carter?" Jim VIZ
asking in his turn.
"Yes," came long distance in
mans weather-rOughened tones.
"John II. Carter, born in nlinoisY"
vYes," came the answer.
did you have a domineering, owe
bearing self-righteaus fool Of an old,
brOther?" Jlm's voice was grown
unsteady.
you bet l didw Long distan,
spoke rapidly. "Are you Jim|
"Yes John, this is jim"
"Gee-caught me at lastr' asa
you aren't Judge James Carter, a
you! The judge that gets next to II
kids?"
IF Tn worthy to be called I'll
children's judge'-if l do anything f
them-it's because I've been thinkil
Of you, John, ever since you left"
For an instant long distance kept
lence. Then-"Say, Jim. you're lol
way off now-YOu know what said
what you sald?' repeated Jim. pu
zled Then he gave great shout ov
long distance: "JOhn Carter, you cor
herep