The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-01-30
Calls a Long
Way
By MARTIN M. CHESTER
(@, 1925. western Newspaper Union

CIV w mullSn little ike! In0ugnt
you were smart, didn't you.
Dad told you TO come when l called
Take that and that and that. Next
time l call, you come. Understand?
PromiseT
Jim Carter stopped pommelling, but
still held his younger brother John TO
the ground by 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 nae 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 that?
Promise?"
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: IL told Jim he'd have to call
long way if he wanted me to come, and
/ don't know as I'll come then"
And even when, as Judge James
Carter, Jim had become famous as the
"children's judge" he was still search
ing for John.
Then one day a friend in New York
telegraphed that 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. TITS 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
impudent-even at the office where he
worked-and yesterday the boss had
oix iD1 In OF
home were worse than ever. Wouldn't
the judge help?
Jim explained that he was just start
ing for New York but would take the
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 q bunch of his clothes tied
up. It'll be tonight, and I'm afraid
he'll steal money to go with"
But" Jim began, "but I told
you"
Jim's head bent to his hands upon
the desk. "rm calling from far,
john" he cried IN his mind. "Come
back-don't go off again, John. l want
another chance" His head lifted and
he smiled at the woman: "I'll do what
can," he said aloud.
Twenty minutes later he sat in the
office of the mining expert who had dis
charged Pete Blainey. The desk tele-
phone rang sharply. -interrupting his
plea for Pete's reinstatement.
THAT" said the expert, excusing
himself, "is long distance from Tucson,
Ariz. By the way, it's from man Of
your NAME"
The habit of following up every clue
had become second nature to Jim. OF
course John was lying in New York
perhaps at the point of death-and yet
WHATS this particular Carriers
given name?" he asked rather YEARLY.
But the mining expert was already
talking: "Hello" he asked. John
H. Carter"
What" exclaimed Jim. 'Who?
Let me-Give me that" He rushed
toward the desk.
Judge Carter speaking, long dis
tance." introduced the expert as he
gave up the telephone.
"Hello. John II. Carter?" Jim was
asking in his turn.
"Yes," came long distance in q
mans weather-roughened tones.
"John III. Carter, born in Illinois?"
"Yes," came the answer.
did you have domineering, over
bearing, self-righteous fool of an older
brothers? Jim's voice was growing
unsteady.
'You bet 1 did," Long distance
spoke rapidly. "Are you Jim?"
"Yes. John, this is jim"
"Gee-caught me at last!" "Say,
you aren't Judge James Carter, are
you! The Judge that gets next to the
kids?"
eff I'm worthy TO be called the
children's judge'-if l do anything for
them--it's because I've been thinking
of you, John, ever since you left"
For an instant long distance kept ST.
lence Then-"Say, Jim, you're long
way off now-You know what said?"
"What you said?" repeated Jim, puz-
zled Then he gave great shout over