The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, April 23, 1905, Page 5

THE SAN FRANCISCO SUNDAY CALL. SEZD Brco.s. his rked the rough ed strength of r, destined right, un and unin- fluenced by any- thing save his own honest judgment. The keeper and rtender behind high counter, moon-shaped d just towering < it, was an in- dubitable type of the Knickerbocker with extended trousers, his cheeks fettered most like the fa- mous Spitzenburg pippin. The great / 77 // % N .‘ ‘g my /',/’/«,’«:r////,;///////(///////// gl mpetus moved toward the gam- honor to number so prominent a per- .3 % table; and with less apparent sonage among her patrons. fear, a Im promised, deposited the George and May attached themselves 2 rder before them. adhesively to the generous lover of ' said Biggs, taking up before him and he drank the th childrer, who, as regular as the hours came, awaited his coming with purest glass ow to come contents; and, “one with me!” sounded affections. Confidences wete e th feeling of goodwill. His discrimi- changed in the course of acquaintan tion again was not amiss: but he ghip, which,grew into a friendship, ned the last drop of the second. and, having become interested, Biggs n taking up the yellow pile he dis- rned from many sources the sad tributed it in his pockets and old ban- story. 2 and left in time to thwart a well- ~ james Wilson and family, lured by anned me of “c pqen the promises of wealth, came to Hit- JUp 10 date there were no banks In 10k among the first settlers, staked a ‘1“1 M“:;;I;‘:‘unxlln' 1nd the question of claim and built a home that would . deposi he winnings = Wwas UDDEr- pave been the pride of any man in Hit- date and most in his mind. “Ted,” the faithful |uen. oo o 3 of ct ty. isted his judg- onvic- ped and companion of five years, luck, ccasidering the facilities for pro- curing materials in that isolated dis- was made treasurer of the wherewith g4 of his luxurious feast, which his mas- = s ter had deposited in installments. , ldke most mining camps, municipal be: th his fodder. The following day discipline was not bred with its birth 1e Parks, a boarder, in the barred 2nd the socfal influence preyed vulture- ters; booked for assault with “his friend,” as he termed his Colts. won’t make him the better for t,” thought Big: 5, “and the least I can r him is to put up out of his Law with an expression of confidence and good will that drew the responsive note from the better nature of the prisoner. ociaticns may effect, and though evil have permeated and predominated ndividualistic faul there shows unit of a high public spirit. The as in its infancy and there were in demand men of the right caliber. Whether the dignity of the new out- fit suggested (for I had no credentials), is still problem,” said Biggs, uncon- reply from Parks, and “I'm a-goin’ to vote for him.” ¢ Tke decisive day brought Biggs out ner by a big majority, and in the run of congratulations came, with the unmistakable expression of joy, the re- specting conviction of Parks: “I knew it when I furst looked into your face, like upon the unwary. Wilson had been a victim of the once notorious Parks, which misfortune de prived the seemingly happiest and pro perous family of their claim and home. In the face of adversity and the hu- ‘aint the stuff for a bird cage, Miliation under the ban of a stricken s P Take this and pay me, with Cunecience, Wilson became a hopeless b it the legal, when yu can,” said Biggs, invalid and ended his luckless life in a well-planned “accidental” suicide. Pub- lic records told their part and held out a hope for the charitably inclined in- Biggs,” interceded Parks, “I'm known quirer. as the all-round bad man: but. if It chanced. in the narrow confines of his own, there’s any good in me, here’s my the town, that two future bosom that had bhand! friends met in the persons of “Judge Inborn in the American heart is the Biggs” and the reformed Parks. spirit of civic pride, and whatever as- “On yu way to dinner, I suppose!” interpreted the latter. “Just it, won’t yu join me?” welcom- ing him with the firm graso. “It wud be a vpleasure, but I have just finished. Where do you eat?” Parks inquired. “At the Wilson restaurant.” was the commendatory reply. A death-like pallor now spread over the face of the scious of the fact that other men were man, once mcved into sensibility by students of character, and the worth nothing so trifing as humanity and of such a man as Biggs, in yiew ¢f whose only ambition had been a “high generating a clean municipal govern- hand” at the expense of any sacrifice m into ment, was invaluable to the common but his own greedy gain. “Judge,” he roud interest. No better supporter than confessed, a fullness almost rendering extra- Parks materialized the words inaudible, “I feel myself a by-word ‘It's a cinch that he’s the square debtor to that little woman and I'm man,” was the ready-and invariable aimin’ to make it good.” Quick to the point the noble soul offered: “If there's anything I can do toward that result, let me know, won't you, Parks?"” “1 want to talk it over with you and perhaps I can effect it sooner,” followed with an anxious impulse. “Come to my office, then, early convenienc at your g gamblers, and we've got the ‘square’ man! Hit- The interests of the poor -woman A luck will be a ‘model’ yet!” were planned as with one mind. Biggs, from “A man’s a beast when he will stand with a prophetic conception, knew what drawn force, but it takes a man to run the the result would be, and with more ! bring 1 course,” was the philosophy of the new knrowledge of the miatter than Parks “Judge.” surmised, was a good general for the ant to ms of thé body €9000000009000000000009000000000000000000000 al mpion Mealtimes rolled around in the order rext move. ROSRS0500500: T cf things in the camp and found The patter of little feet, hastening to in the “Judge Biggs” a firdt-class, regular meet *“Judge Bids,” the tiny out- s out of boarder at the modest and cleanly res- siretched hands waving the fond wel- eves taurant, kept by a hard-working, frail, come, lips eager to share the envied <in his jittle widow as the only means of sup- kiss, and the gurgling laughter of e at sort port for her young brood. happy childhood evinced that he had ch luck! ~ The pleasant demeanor of the sturdy won the hearts of the children at least. ou name “Judge” was ever welcomed and greet- In the proceedings of the meeting at . ed with the sweet sad smile and courte- the office Parks made a clean breast intent audi- ous attentions, for she considered it an of the incidents relative to the game ANNOUNCEMENT. For the purpose of encouraging California and Western writers, by offering a consideration for short stories equal to that paid by the best magazines, and for the purpose of bringing young and unknown writers to the front, the Sunday Call announces a weekly fiction con- test in which a cash prize of $50 will be paid each week for the best etory submitted. There is no section of America more fei in ma- terial for fiction or more prolific in pens gifted to give spirit to the material at hand than is California and the West. Therefore the Sun. day Call offers $50 for the best story submitted each week by a West- emn writer. Stories of Western life and Western characters will, as a rule, be given the preference, but all strong stories, and ly strong stories by new writers, will reccive careful consideration, especiall; Type- written copy is the easiest to read and will receive the first consider- Each story will be judged strictly upon its literary merit. etion from the editor. but do not hesitate to send a story in hand- writing if you cannot afford to have it typewritten. Fifty dollars in cash for a story of not less than 2500 words and not more than 3500 ‘words is approximately $17 per thousand words, jor 1.7 cents per word. The highest price paid by the leading magazines for the work of any but the very best writers is rarely more than two cents a word, more often one cent and a half, and generally one cent. With the majority of magazines the writer, after his story is ac- cepted, is compelled to wait until the publication of his story before he is paid, a period of seldom less than six months, and usually from nine months to a year. e stories accepted in this contest will be paid for immediately upon publication, zad will be published on t: first Sunday following the judeing of the manuscripts. . RSSO NN IS FICTION CONTES SUNDAY CALL that cost, at length, Wilson’s life, and, pertaining to possession of the claim and the personal inferests of Mrs. Wil- son, interjected: “What I want to con- fer with yu about, is this: The prop- erty with an incumbrance of three thousand dollars would not be a whole- some gift to the lady. Will it be worth the mortgage to you? It will, I hope, pay ‘with the legal’ my debt to you. I don’t know how big a mortgage yu already hold on the little widow, judg- in’ from the way that new home is get- tin’ on.” Judge Biggs heartily inter- rupted: “You've got your suspicions, Each Week for the | eh? Well, a home is -what every man wants, married or single.” “It will be a darn happy thought to me, Judge, if you and that little woman hitch traces.” “Do yu think there’s a chance for me?" “As sure as my vote is ‘Square Biggs' as long as he runs for office!” assuringly responded Parks. “If I were as sure of her as T am of the babies, I'd summon more courage, but there’s better lookin’ got eyes for the mother; and I'm 'fraid of a trump. There’s one sure guess, it will be on hearts when she does come in.” No story will be considered that SHORT STORY wii== In the selection of stories ‘names writer will have the same standi $ Stories not contest. of Western writers no stories under noms de plume will If a story earns publication it will will be published one each week. An author may submit.as many manuscripts as he desires, but no one writer will be permitted to ‘win moge than three pri ‘The fact is, there was a “‘special em- bassy” to the Wilson home every even- ing, and, as often, one might have in- ferred from the preparations of pre- cision, that a wedding with Biggs as groom was about to take place. Phrases ‘were ‘composed ‘and committed, re- hearsed over and over, condensed into a dozen choicest ‘words and finally deliv- ered in the fearful introductory: *“I have a business matter to present to ¥ou, Mrs. Wilson!”"—and interest in the children, of course, turned the channel of conversation. “It I win the little widow, remember, you must: be. on hand with swallow- WILL END ON JUNE 4 8500006000000000000000006€00C00000 RULES. tails, teo!™ emphas that deed, Judge, arv 1 would say—'Square for Parks' this time.” came in words with mingled re- gret and joy, and they clasped hands that welded the bands of a brother- hood. “This has come in most opportune to fulfill my ‘business affair’ with Mrs. Wilsun, ™ thought he, and brought Bigss on hand a half-hour tvo soon for din= ne r. “This is the circufar, which you will arliest please read carefully at convenience, Mr: your pleas- shall do so wi , receiving the wrapped The exciting rumors of “rich strikes™ opened the con Wil= son, apperently “How wat own & claim?” A ept over her countenance as she reflected. “Though Mr. W and I built great hopes of our claim, espec —and the than words under the incum band’s death. It held it ce after my hus- impossible for a ich affairs alone, manager inquired Biggs, with evident feeling of anxious per- looked up. “T your honor were L could not for one moment in possession of would be the on with my interests undoubtful sincer The wan face grew more interesting to him than the prospects of twenty Bl Dorados, and though the -eloquence with which he thought to express his immediate intentions again failed him, the unwelcome and ely intrusion of another early b curtailed the important proceedin Parks, beside him ing emulated the triend, was waiting turned from dinner. “What's the verdiet?” hastened the former, having discerned his exonera- tion in the happy expression of the man approaching the offic “Well, pard, there’ ponded If with joy, hav- ampl his best when Biggs re- thing sure—a job for both of us. How are you onm mining?” queried Bi “Fair,” was the honest reply. “About the east ledge, what are the pros- pects?” “I'm net familiar with that ledge: but from late assays of other veins it is rich,” Biggs informed. “You have come into possession of the adjoining claim by the will of your late brother, James Parks?" “That’s right, Judge: and how about a company prospected Parks, with the confidence of meeting with ap- proval. “What will it take to start the game?” “About five thousand.” replied Parks, thoughtfully figuring in round s, “ought to put us about start her up and name ‘luck” the password. “If we tickle the east edg=2, from what I would guess, we'll find it cross- ing the line, and when the littla widow joins our company, of which there seems no doub ve'’re got a mortgage on success, eh?” “Then I'll have wad enough to get that swallow tail,” Parks prophesied. The mere suggestion of “swallow talls” started the unmistakable prepa= 4 rations: but Parks patiently wai and 2ccompanied the “embassy” the greater distance. “Tell me next jhe Wilson district went square for Biggs,” were the parting words from the stanch and inseparable friend. No interruptions occurred that night in the “court,” for the little ‘Wilsons were snug and sound in their cribs. “T firmly believe you were instru- mental in effecting this ‘deed of gift,” Mr. Biggs,” said Mrs. Wilson, as the tears of joy fell upon her pale cheek and her both hands clasped. with su- preme gratefulness;’ the hand of the humanitarian. “I could not have brought that estout if Mr. Parks had not intended it. He has proven himself a worthy man and i3 a true friend.” “] know he is a man of noble traits and I wish to express my grate- fulness to him personally. [s he in town at present?” “He is, Mrs. Wilson,” was the clear reply. A profound quiet took po3lsession of the “court” for a minute—suddenly broken by the abruptness peculiar in his nature: “Mrs. Wilson, it is ‘m- possible for me to keep house alom can 1 persuade you to accept the po- sitien? mean permanently. I want—" “Love!” she assisted with that sincerity that evinces the ‘nob'eness of the t{rue woman; “that you have at heart of the whole family, but I almost feared to hope for reciproca- tion myself: you seemed to court vniy the ailections of the children.” “You will be Mrs. Biggs” he qiieried—a strong versuasiveness prompted by his anxious tone. “Yes; and the @ proudest and hap- plest woman in th world to be her was the full heart- I ed assurance. 1 than nor more than “Why didn't we The h :.:M S be marked in settle that long length o story must ago? But just set the earliest day u now, and I'll take will not count. The unknown charge of the res- As one of the obiccts of the Sunday Call is to develop a new corps well ted “will be Vi Always inclose return.postage. - No manuscripts will be returned musucnmpafledumwsfi: s ;I-?m EDITOR A ERANCISCO, CAL, worth the writer’s address OF THE CALL. i taurant till you get your things moved to our new tent.” Assured of the love she had wooed in silence so long, she found her place to his heart and the pledge was sealed. Just Ddefore the close of that event- ful day Parks was aroused and learned the - happy news. “About the ‘swal- lows,” pard, I'll lend yop half of 3 there won’t be to send.” during the legibly on POCOCEOOIVOBEODOEVOILGPEOO6ECE006006D k] .