Nogales international., 1936-12-05
Second Instalment

Jim rose and followed the maA
out of the building. Hiram Morris
here! In Alaskal 1t was incredi-
bic. More incredible still was it to
recognize in this bent figure of dis
,cOuragement the once mighty man
lof Michigan, the colossus Of Jim's
youth.
Mr.. Morris shuffled along the
street, shaking his head and NUT
tering to himself. AS he passed the
entrance to a bakery whence issued
the savory odors of fresh bread,
pies, and spicy cakes he paused.
lifted his face, and breathed deeply.
He halted again before restaurant
inside the show window of which
were displayed raw steaks and chops
and cold-storage chickens upon a
bed of cracked ice.
Jim recognized the expression in
that thin, eager face and he expert
eneed shock. Good God! the man
was hungryl Hungry in Alaska
Nobody had ever gone hungry on
the Yukon. What kind of camp was
this1
Holding his voice to casual tone,
he said: Excuse me, but I'm look
ing for a clean cafe. Can you tell
me where the gamblers eat?"
Fright here, I believe 1t is the
most expensive place in town." The
speakers gaze remained fixed up
ON the window.
I'm a stranger here and / don't
know a soul. Won't you join me1"
Mr. Morris looked up now, swift
ly: in his eyes was glitter that
Rowan had seen in the eyes Of fam
ished trail dogs. "Why, you don't
know mel Besides-I'm not dressed
for a place like this. I thank you,
but"
Come on. You'll be doing me a
favor" Jim held the door open and
waited for the ragged figure to pre-
cede him, then he selected table
in one of the booths and ordered a
meal for two which caused his guest
to say:
"My dear sir, you can't be familiar
with Nome prices. A T-bone steak
Is seven dollars and-those fresh
vegetablesl Why, you've ordered a
millionaire's banquet"
We'll, it is sort of banquet with
me. 1t celebrates an occasion"
"Indeed?"
II met an old friend tonight: q
man from my home town.
Mr.. Morris was ready and willing
to talk about Nome. He had failed
greatly and he was at a Garrulous
age, but about himself he had little
to say and it was some time before
Jim managed to discover that he
had been here for two years, min
ing, but without success.
"You know how it is," he explain
ed with tremu1ous smile; "it takes
time to develop a placer property
when you have no capital. But
have splendid claim and one OF
these days I'll land in the pay"
The two men chatted on until
their food was served, and, mas
much as the host had not seen fiji
to introduce himself, the guest did
not make himself known. 1t was
not until the latter had eaten raven
ously, to his complete satisfaction,
and had lighted an expensive cigar
of Jim's selection, that the younger
man said:
Perhaps you'd like to hear about
that old friend I met. He was a
big man in our town and I was a
poor kid, but he gave me some ad-
vice that I've tried to live Up to.
1t came about like this: one morn
ing we were having a SNOWFALL fight
in front of the schooi-house when
he drove past in his cutter"
Mr.. Morris peered curiously at
the speaker.
II don't know what possessed me,
but 1 threw bali at him. It was
ice. 1t hit him, hurt him like the
devil. I'd have been fired from
school only for him. He"
where was this7"
1T was In Dover. You took me
to the principal and"
why, this is extraordinary
Then your name is-Rowan. YOU'RE
Jim Rowan's boy. And you recog-
nized me. after all these yearsl" Mr..
Morris was deeply moved.