Literature.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 31, 11 February 1904, Page 4

Literature.

LANKY JIM, I (By TJeX, in the Australasian.) i He stood t>n the outskirts of a little crowd—a tall lanky man,bumping his swag. A man, half tipsy, was "holding forth." He chiimul to huve come from the West, and pulled out a pocketful of to con\incehis hearers. A knot oi ilders had gathered round and were HwUmng, halfheartedly, to what hie w>as saying. "Lanky Jim" listened eagerly, and belore the sun was down he shouldereJ his swag, ami had started "out \Ye.vt." For years Lanky Jim haid been a wanderer—never long m one place. The first on the liekl where ruinour had it go lid was to be found, the first to leave when the big rush came Lanky Jim had travel led from one emd of A'ustralia to t'hie other. "In sofk"ty" Lanky Jim was known: as a "woman-hater," and it was rumoured the day a woumvn arrived on the camping-ground Lanky Jim left. After three days' travelling Lanky J'im wgarded his watch (the suit) thoughtfully. According to the man's ramblinig statement he ought to be n^ar. Jt si6||| wanted an hour to sunset ; but I'jqPy Jim, turni-ngi oft' the track, struck his camp, and prepared his owning meal. After supper he stretuhed himself full length on the bwl of die a d leaves and broken timber. Rabbits came out -to feed, peeping cautio'usly at Irim : a snake glided by unnoticed—the solitude seemed coniiplete. Presently the distant banking of a dog came to his ears. Ife raised his head. listening. If a 1 dog ; th'un an owner, and he had thought (himself miles away from human habitation. The barking continued, jjersisient, mournful, like a cry of distress. Marking the spot whei-e his few things lay. Lanky Jim proceeded in the direct-ion of the sound. Coming to the spot, he peered cautiously through the trees. The dog rusihed to meet him, fawning at his feet. Following closely, he came to wihere a man lay beneath a fallen tree, his horse beside him. It was the main from Barkly's. T.nnkv Jim tnrvk in the situation

at a gliaince—the fallen tree, the tired horse, the idyin'g man. It tool bini half an hour to extricate him, then, lifting his burden in his stronp anus, lie mounted his horse, ant IwKliiing a loose rein, trusted him tc !in<J a way home. In the heart of the bush the.\ reached a cleared space ; the svip rails were down, amd the horse whinnying loudly, 'trotted througl ainid up to the low bark hut. A wo man stooid in the doorway s-lmdin/ her eyes with her hand, a baby ii her arms, another clinging to he skirts. it was years since Lank; .Jim ha*] looked into the face of i woman. "Your man's been hurt,' lie sui:J, abruptly, as lie. turner away, expecting a scene. Without i word the woman lud the way within I rained in a school of disappoint ment and Imrdsliiip, she uttered no cry as she bent over th» wounded man. Tim baby whimpered softlv ; sliu clasped it tighter, an.d knelt beside him. "Jenny, I'm sorry for you amd the bairns ; it was aill the drink again," 'he spoke feebly. Then, tunning his eyes, he motioned to Lanky Jim, who stood ill at ease in tilie doorway. "Look after the missus, 'he eukl, fixing his eyes on Lanky Jim. And before the ta/dy assistance of a bush doctor roll I'd be procured the man from Darkly - s w-as dead. Lanky Jim mud meant to be off soon after the funeral, but the widow Ivaid begiged him to remain, so he pitched l.is camji in.s-ide Tom Wakefield's 10-acre paddock ami stayed. Though every night, gazing at the stars through a hole in his tent, he cursed tihe day that brought him looking for gold cut West, yet the morning found Ivim up Iwti'mes- in the widow's interest. Lanky Jim still liuwJ at his camp, and made a piivtence of cooking his own meals, though a tempting morsel would often fund its way from the hut, which Lanky Jim accepted without comment. In the hot summer evenings the chiiiimi toddling down won Id sit on his knee, and Lanky Jim would put away his pipe to play with them, while the widow would watch Nome distance oil. Often weeks would elapse, amd she and Lanky .Jim wwuld never exchange a word Lanky J'im was no talker, though, through his constant labour, the farm was looking well. One evening, after Lanky Jim hail lieen there some months, the widow received a long blue envelope, with tihe ttwinmeant stamp. She read it carefully again and again, then, putting on her bonnet, took the track to Lanky Jim's camp. Without a word site handed it to Ivim. Lanky Jim read it over manv times before he took in the meaning. It was a notice to quit In six months. The widow Wakeford, having no lawful protector, was obliged, by law, to give up her lease and 1:1.0 farm, which she could no longer K'tain, there being no man to work the projHTty. Lanky Jim gazed into the lire, and the widow at her hands in her lap. At last Lanky Jim looked up. The woman looked up also. "It would be a pity to lose the property." Lanky Jim assented. Then silence fell again. Lanky Jim hesitated. "Six months is a long time," he said slowlv, Jenny nodded. 'Til be oil shearing to-morrow," said Lanky Jim, "unti maybe I'll be back again Ix.fore the time's up " aird he glanced at the door. And, smiling, the woman went hack. She umclei-stood.