Thursday, December 30, 1926.
VERNONIA EAGLE
JIM
AND HIS
DECISION
By H. M. EGBERT
(Copyright by W. G. Chapman.)
IM BENNETT sat on the sand of
Tan-tan Island and looked out
across the sea, as he had done
each day for more than a year.
Everybody in Tan-tan knew Jim Ben
nett, and the raggedest beachcomber
I sneered when his name was men
tioned. It was not so much the
depths to which he had fallen as the
tact that he had fallen so far.
Three years ago be had left San
Francisco to make his fortune In the
South seas and had come back to
• marry Elsie Dale, But her father was
many times a millionaire, und had
other Ideas for Elsie’s future. Every-
thing depended, then, on Jim's making
good on the copra trading trip. In
which he had sunk his little capital.
i xAt least, so far as marrying Elsie
was concerned. Her father would
never consent. Jim knew Jack Dale
too well to hope for that. But If the
trip succeeded Jim could afford to
bear the old man’s enmity, and Elsie
had said she would.
The ship was wrecked on an un
charted reef off Tan-tan. Jim saw
his little capital lost. He had barely
the fare home. Despair Cook hold of
him, then the lethargy of the life In
the little place. He had sunk down
and down. He had ut last written to
Elsie releasing her—und hud forgot
ten.
He had quite forgotten by the time
Elsie's letter arrived. She had told
him that she was going to wait three
years. If ut the end of that time he
did not clulru her, she would feel
jfree. But she loved him; let him re-
Cember that every day of his life.
At the end of the first year Jim re-
embered it occasionally. He was
employed in one of the Island re
ports. At the end of the second yetir
he had a hazy recollection. Then he
was doing odd jobs along the wharf.
At the end of the third year, when he
Was nothing but a beachcomber, he
remembered again, this time more
Clearly.
He remembered it when the month
ly vessel arrived. He expected that
It would carry a letter for him. No
letter had been at the post office; and
yet, when Jim looked up and saw a
Kroung, athletic American, neatly
dressed, with sun helmet and blue
glasses, approaching him, he was sure
that he had come upon business con-
Jcerning Klsie.
Jim looked up lazily from among the
fSlittle group of fellow loafers, and won-
* *dered how any man could find the
. energy to wulk at that gait in such a
sun. The young man drew up to the
J | group and stopped.
“Any of you men know a fellow
‘-.flamed Jim Bennett?” he inquired.
The man nearest Jim nudged him
lazily; the rest did not even shift their
eyes from the far horizon.
“I’m Jim Bennett,” said Jim, rising.
[ He saw the astonishment upon the
I young man’s face.
“Will you please come over here?”
asked the »¿ranger.
He led him about fifty yards away,
out of Hie hearing of the others. He
' r. might have saved himself the trouble,
for those who were not asleep In the
*hade had already forgotten Jim’s ex
istence. When they stood together
1 tipoti the sand the young man took
Jim by the shoulders and swung him
round, facing hint.
“Are you Jim Bennett or are you
lying?” he demanded, in crisp, nervous
accents.
For an Instant Jim felt the resent
ft ment that would have come to any
normul man at such treatment; but
then he remembered that lie had left
his manhood behind him at Tan-tan
town.
“I'm Jim Bennett," he answered
doggeilly. “What do you want with
me?”
The other breathed hard. "Where
do you come from?" he demanded. "I
must have proofs of what you say.
Who is the woman to whom you are
engaged?”
“You mean Miss Dale, I suppose,”
drawled Jim, and the other let his
hands drop from his shoulders and
.stared at him hopelessly.
"Are you crazy or sunstruck V he
I Inquired presently.
"Usually both,” answered Jim truth
fully. “Today, as It happens, I haven’t
found anyone willing to give me the
price. How about you?"
The young man clapped him on the
■houlder.
"Listen to me," he said quietly.
"You must have been a man once,
from all I’ve heard of you. I recog
nise you now from your photograph,
although that beard makes you look
quite different. Miss Dale’s father Is
dead. He has left her his whole for
tune. She wanted me to come and
find you and bring you back to her.
She loves you, and pride doesn't count.
She knows what you must have been
through, and she's going to ask you to
marry her, once she gets you at her
aide Understand?”
Jim understood. The thought of
the Dale millions at his command was
paralyllug; it galvanized him Into life.
He looked up, to see the young man
reading his face.
"Here’s ten dollars I” he said sud
denly “No—wait 1" He pulled out
the pecketbook again. "Here's a bun
dred. Do you think you can get
washed end cleaned and have a new
suit and good linen on your back,
ready to sail on the ship tomorrow?"
Jim pocketed the money mechan
J
ically. "I suppose so," he muttered. 4-L Hall At Westport
St. Helens Defeats Yacolt
“Whet' your hurry?”
St. Helens won from Yacolt
Is
Destroyed
By
FLe
“B.-e. use,” suld the other grawl ,
The big 4-L hall at Westpoct high school in bosketball Thurscay
"Miss ' iqle is on board. That’s why.
was
completely destroyed by a night, 28 to 14 in the St. Helsns
And I hi best man In the world could lit
spectacular fire which started a- gymnasium. St. Helens played the
deserve your luck.”
Somehow the uew clothes, the lux bout 2:30 a. m. Thursday mor.i- Scappoose All-Stars last night.
ury of a bath, hud put new maqhood ing of last week. The cause of
into Jim. He lay in bed early lu the the fire is unknown. The loss ja
Würren* May Get Lights.
morning In the hotel and speculated estimated at $15,000 and is well
With 42 persons having signed
what be would do with the Dale mil covered by insurance. It is ex
up fbt electric light service in
lions. He would go to San Francisco, J
pected that the building will be- Warren, it is thought that the
of course. He would build a palace
rebuilt.
there. He would have automobiles,
rrecessAry 52 demanded by Dis-
tine clothes, cigars, all the physical
' trict Manager C. C. Turlay of the
Heavy Fine For Possession
luxuries which he had been denied
Wm. Schmeck was arrested ly P. El P. Company will be secured
so long. And—he would marry Elsie
before ' lang, and thht in a short
at the first opportunity, to keep his Marshal Kelly Christmas night in time the entire district will be us
the rear of the Vista hotel f->r
hold on her.
ing electricty.
He got up and dressed. . He was having liquor in his possession. lie
Just about to leave the room when the broke two pints on the sidewalk
young man entered. He surveyed Jim but one and one-half gallons in
Notice of Call of Bonds
with a grimmer smile than before.
his suitcase was confiscated by the
"You haven’t shaved off your marshal. He was fined $150 ai,d
Notice is hereby given to the
beard.” be said.
given 10 days in jail by Jud re holder of Bonds numbered 1, 2,
"No." said Jim thoughtfully. "It Reasoner.
3, 4, 5, of Sewer Improvement
looks—more manly, I think."
Fined For Possession
Bonds, of Vernonia Columbia Co.
The other looked at him In con
Dick Hendrickson Was arrested Oregon, dated Jan. 1, 1925; and
tempt. It penetrated the man’s skin.
Jim winced. It was the first moment Saturlay night for being drunk redeemable at the option of the
of seif-realization In many a year.
and having liquor in his possession. said City of Vernonia on Jan. 1,
“Why huve you done all this for H e
was
admitted
to
bail 1926, said bond No. 1 being in
me?” he asked, looking at the other in Judge Reasoner's court for $25. denomination of $260.16 and bonds
curiously. “Do you kuow, I believe— He forfeited his bail by not show No.
2;
3, • 4,
5,
being
in
I believe you are in love with Elsie ing up for trial.
denomination of $500.00 each. That
yourself."
"Miss Dale from you, please,” re
■
,
-------------------------
. gg-y-------------
------------
.....----------- ----------
plied the other. “Yes, I am In love
with her, if you wish to know it. And
if I hadn't found you I think she
would have married me."
"Then why did you find me?” mut
tered Jim.
The other choked down an expletive.
“If you're ready," he said coldly,
“we’ll start right away.”
Jim went out with him. And now,
surveyed by the curious Inhabitants
of the little settlement, the target of
their sneering glances, Jim felt sud
denly more ashamed than he had ever
felt before In all his life. And for
the first time he really understood the
depths of his degradation.
He had been a worthless beach
comber, while she had waited for him.
believed in him. He was utterly
worthless. He could not degrade that
purs life to the level of Ms own. He
had thought of nothing but the Dale
millions, nothing at all of the love that
had been true to him.
Unconsciously he held his head
kTSWAHT-WAMHSR MJTOMOSILS SATSTV COUNCIL
higher and flung back the scornful
gestures, the looks, the thinly-veiled /“YNK out of a thousand is the relationship between the annual automobile
Jeers. They should learn some day
fatalities and the number of motor vehicles In this country, according
that there was that spark of manhood
to the Stewart-Warner Safety Council for the prevention of automobile
lu him which would kindle the old accidents, which has undertaken a strenubus campaign of automobile safety
fires!
and accident prevention.
He knew that his past was utterly
And for every fatality there aie at least 28 accidents serious enough to
dead. And so, walking at the side of get on record. This does not take it to consideration minor sprains and bruises
his companion, he boarded the boat. or people suffering from nervous sh >ck as the result of being In an automobile
There was a delay, a brief delay. accident
The young man turned to him and
To appreciate what a vast army of killed and Injured Is annually con
said:
scripted by tlie reckless motorist and careless pedestrian, a comparison may
"Hemember, Bennett, my lips are be made with American, casualties In the great war. Over a third as many
sealed forever. You have your own people are killed annually by the a itomobile as'there were American soldiers
future and hers to make or mar. I killed on the field of battle during the entire war, while the number injured
kuow her love for you, and that is each year is nearly three times as great as the number of our boys who wers
why I shall remain silent. Can you wounded throughout the war.
honor It? Promise me that from this
day forward you will strive with might
aud main to be worthy of her."
"I promise," answered Jim humbly,
.
1. . ~
and the mail at his side looked at him
strangely. This seemed to be a new
man—he had known nothing of him.
Along tlie deck came a white-robed
figure, tripping gladly. Jim knew her
at once. All his heart went out to
her. Elsie had not changed a bit dur
ing those three years, except that
there wus more of the woman In her
poise, her thoughtful eyes, and Just
as much of the happy girl in her smil
ing face.
“John 1” she exclaimed. “Where—
where is Jim, then? And who Is this
gentleman?"
Suddenly Jim realized that she had
not recognized him. His tan, hfs
beard, the ineffaceable marks of those
three years on his face. . . ,
He turned a little away.
"Jim died last week," he said quiet
ly. “We didn’t dare to break the
news to you at once. He died—I was
his friend—he wanted me to tell you.”
He turned and walked with steady
steps to the ship’s gangway, and along
the wharf.
One Death Per 1300 Autos
in a Year Is Record of U. S.
pursuant to said option said bon is
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
numbered 1, 2, 3 4, 5, will be re
Sealed bids will be received by
deemed within Thirty days from I I). B. Reasoner, City Recorder of
the date of this notice to-wit: On the City of Vernonia, Oregon, at
the First day of January, 1927, the City Hall of said City, until
upon presentation to the City 8:00 P. M. December 30, 1926,
and then publicly opened, for the
Treasurer of the City of Vernonia, furnishing and installation of one
Vernonia, Oregon.
25 H. P. motor and one 5 H. P.
motor including all wiring, switch
In case any holder of any of es,
couplings, anJ compensators for
the said bonds fail to present same municipal water pumping Dlant, ac
at time and place mentioned here cording to the plans and specifica
in for the redemption thereof, then tions on file at the office of the
the interest thereon shall cease City Recorder at Vernonia, Oregon.
All equipment and motors to
and the City Treasurer aforesaid
will thereafter pay only the a- be General Electric or equal grade.
No proposal will be considered
mount of such bonds and the in
terest secured thereon up to said unless accompanied by a certified
check; or bidders bond equal to
1st day of January, 1927.
10 per cent of the amount of the
Dated at Vernonia, Oregon, this bid and made payable *o the order
of the City Treasurer of Vernonia,
1st day of December, 1926.
J. C. Lindley, Treasurer Oregon.
Dated December 21, 1926.
City of Vernonia, Vernonia, Oregon
D. B. REASONER.
202 202
City Recorder.
COLLECTIONS
NO COLLECTION—NO CHARGE
KNIGHT ADJUSTMENT CO.
We Get Results.
Offices at McMinnville, Hillsboro and 502 Board of Trade build
ing, Portland.
—WE REPAIR—
Anything in the Electric Line
AND GUARANTEE OUR PLUMBING.
ASPLAND PLUMBING
And Electric Shop
Phone MAin 193
I Person is Tilled and 28
injured annually for every 1000 Auto
mobilesinthis Country
Old World Charm Meets
New World Conveniences
Writer Has Brief for
Much Maligned Goat
Because the goat Is whimsical in
appearance and, In Its kldllug state,
spry and full of antics, it Is singled
out as an animal to be made a pet of.
Therefore it Is often found that peo
ple without proper facilities will at
tempt to keep a goat If dogs ate
vegetables how many gardens would
be ruined In a day with all the dogs
we have at large! Why should the
goat, above all animals, be expected
to "Keep off the grass” and travel In
the narrow path of animal virtue? It
Is often said that the goat Is difficult
to fence against, but this is erroneous.
The fence that will hold a sheep will
hold a goat. The only difference Is
that If there is a hole In the fence
depend upon the goat's wit to find
it, while the sheep may pass It un
seen. An ordinary milk goat, carry
Ing a normal udder, has no desire to
entangle herself In a fence; provided
with proper food she will not crave
the exaggerated Items of fare some
times put down as her food.—Mon
treal Family Herald.
Mess
How this word '-»me to descr be
the rather crowded meal for soldiers
Is uncertain since Its original use
was to denote the groups of four in
to which feast guests were divided
tn olden days. Shakespeare has one
of his characters In "Love’s Labor’s
Lost" say. ”1 confess that you three
fools larked me, fool, to make up
the mess," that Is, four.
LACING your house according o your
lot Is the privilege of the per.» in who
builds this practical dwelling of the Eng
lish farm house type. The outran- e is so
arranged that the house may el her be
placed lengthwise for a thlrty-f< ot city
P
DINING
tOOM
FADA
ATWATER KENT
Fenner Radio Shop
SETS - SERVICE - ACCESSORIES
Battery Charging
COME IN AND SEE US FOR
Fada Radios
Atwater Kent Radios
Radio Service
Savage Washers and Dryers.
New and Used Pianos.
Sheet Music.
WE GIVE EASY TERMS
I.OOA PICK
NEW SERVICE
Ing with the roof of dark weathered shingles,
rhe j leasing features of the living room
lnclrde it- windows on three sides, open fire-
plac ■ and built-in book shelves. The open porch
or »> nroom may open off from either the living
or <1 nlng room. The kitchen has all the detells
that delight the housewife—cupboards, broom
<-los* t, break fast nook and double windows over
the . Ink.
fhe three bedrooms all have double ex-
posuree and are well provided with clothes and
llnei closets. The bathroom is so placed as to
be e lually accessible from each bedroom. The
attl< Is ventilated and mAkee a serviceable
stor ge or playroom by sheathing the rafters
and Hides with celotex, which vrvee both as a
wall board and Insulating material.
This small home so light and spacious, yet
SECOND fLOOtPLAH comt act and adapted to doing without a eerv-
Gt I LI no «HOST «L<r
ant, Is a typical 1928 produet. The poky, dark
houses of fifteen or even ten . year’ ago
_ with their fussy
_ little
______________
__
hallways and
poor planning would be scorned by the modern hossewlfe who has learned to
expect comfort built right Into her home and to have everything planned for
her convenience in working. Cold, iranghty bouses are also out of date, All
well built bouses, are insulated as this one'Is, with celotex shestbfng on ths
exterior wails under the stucco, ’"hie effects a great saving in fuel in tbs
winter and resists the intense beai of the sun in rammer.
•. Celotacknlo Institute, Ckloaco, UN
I
BATTERIES
All Sizes
Now is the time of year your battery should ’
be kept fully charged and in tip-top shape.
Your battery recharged, painted with acid- $150
?roof paint and acid adjusted, all for
iadio batteries and others not requiring $100
removal or installation m car..................
Rent Batteries, per day .......................................26c
OOD
G ilby
M 0T0R
C AKS
M otor C o .