Harbor Jim of Newfoundland

still half asleep in blankets of mist. Signal Hill was altogether hidden and the harbor entrance could not be seen. In the water-soaked atmosphere the flakes were merged together and

ing in particular he contented himself with monosyllabic answers, that occasionally did not come even to the estate words,

goin' to lift, fer th

could just discern a sail boat headed tow

Harbor Jim

der in the Dominion," replied Bob and then lapsed into sil

nly, a little boat some seventy-five yards out from the shore, and standing out near

ed over his shoulder in the directi

I looked from the shore even as he looked from his boat and the sun at that moment uncovered the rocks on both sides. He lifted his hand and

r Jim to warm the cockles of his heart, for he began in a

r Jim and I were then on Cap'en Boynton's ship. I didn't know Jim then more'n any other fellow. It was an o

ping the look-out would see seals. The ice had been piled up in some places and just south it looked like a town, a little village with houses and meeting house and school, all

the look-out yelled: '

the Cap'en shouted: 'Look

fter the seals. The ice was uncertain and some of the men went thru th

would get more seals. Harbor Jim and I had chosen up, like they do in a spellin' bee, and all the men had

when we started. We were so intent on getting the catch that we failed to note

tender-hearted and passed by just then a young seal that looked kinder pitiful at me and begged for life and I resolved that I'd get the old hood, come

he other fellows had gone back to the ship and I was alone, facing the cold, the storm and the night. Then I began to shout in the hope that they were not too far away to hear me. After some waiting, that seemed lon

nd together we made our way back. I don't know jes' how and I don't believe he doe

t he always says, 'He showed me the way, Bo

ieve Jonathan ever loved David more'n I love Jim. He never goes scow-ways; he always sails straight. But you mustn't think I a

s friend. If I had not known that Bob was a man who never showed his feelings, except in most orderly and measured fashion, I should have t

thru the narrow entrance and disappeared out to sea. Both sides of the bay stood out

it to dry on the flakes. Rubbing his sleeve

Walk down town and I'll tel

ond invitation and w

er gave him the Jim, but his friend

ved me on the ice-pan? But somehow he always pulled thru. Other boats would lie outside and wait but Jim would pull

m Harbor Jim. It's so now that the women folks are always glad if their men can go with Jim

said, when Bob ceased talking and trudged on in silence. "I

on talkin'. He says some folks talk so much, they set their tongue to goin' and go off and leave it runnin' and i

e him and I did. That Yankee started right in doing all the talkin'. He had a tongue that was balanced and would wag easy. He told Jim he was making a mistake in not havin

do you

t said kind of slow

from potatoes and cabbage, and I guess I better bid you good day and go fishing.' That was every word Jim said and that

ndered if my own luck or my own tact would succeed any better, fo

" I said to Bob when the tobacco had bee

meetin' him. She's all right, but she's jes' lea

b to go out with me. After a walk of about an hour we stood looking down upon a littl

" said Bob, "can y

lar affairs, flat-roofed, shingled and painted white. Ji

wn a lane and saw two rather dirty children at play in front

t?" the woman called, as s

hours ago. Here's a man who

k from the baby's face as she passed her and beckoned us

ing for you, sir? There's some brewse,[1] on the back of the stove, if you care to eat. I am wondering what you

nd see you and the children in passing," I said none to easily, for t

om. It was positively no different from other fishermen's homes that I had visited; no better furniture, no more of it; the house was no cleaner; and the woman, who was Jim's wife, was on a par with other women of the n

remembering how beautiful the world is. He says it connects us with

when Jim is home. I want you to know him. I wish ever

d her ability and worth. It was more than a week afterward that in unexpected fashion and without introduction, I met Jim, But there was not a day of that week that I did not think of the little woman in faded blue, her flaxen hai