The next morning the court-room was crowded. Jimmy pleaded guilty, and
was sentenced to a fine of $500 or ninety days in jail. To the surprise
of everybody he fished out a tremendous roll and paid the fine. The
spectators considered it remarkable that a river boss should carry such
an amount. They had not been present at the interview on the boom poles
between Jimmy and his principal the day before.
The latter stood near the door as the little man came out.
“Jimmy,” said Mr. Daly distinctly so that everybody could hear, “I am
extremely sorry to see you in this trouble, but perhaps it may prove a
lesson to you. Next time you must understand that you are not supposed
to exceed your instructions.”
Thus did the astute Daly publicly disclaim liability.
“Yes, sir,” said Jimmy meekly. “Do you think you will get the logs in
time, Mr. Daly?”
They looked at each other steadily. Then for the first and only time the
black and white mask of Jimmy’s inscrutability melted away. In his left
eye appeared a faint glimmer. Then the left eyelid slowly descended.
[Transcriber’s Note: This story appeared in the September 1902 issue of
_McClure’s Magazine_.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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