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The Faith of Men
A long； legal affair from the lawyers informed him of interminable lists of
stocks and bonds； real estate； rents； and chattels that were his by his
father's will。 And a dainty bit of stationery； sealed and monogramed；
implored dear Neil's return to his heart…broken and loving mother。
Neil Bonner did some swift thinking； and when the Yukon Belle
coughed in to the bank on her way down to Bering Sea； he departed
departed with the ancient lie of quick return young and blithe on his lips。
〃I'll come back； dear Jees Uck； before the first snow flies；〃 he
promised her； between the last kisses at the gang…plank。
And not only did he promise； but； like the majority of men under the
same circumstances； he really meant it。 To John Thompson； the new
agent； he gave orders for the extension of unlimited credit to his wife； Jees
Uck。 Also； with his last look from the deck of the Yukon Belle； he saw a
dozen men at work rearing the logs that were to make the most
comfortable house along a thousand miles of river frontthe house of Jees
Uck； and likewise the house of Neil Bonnerere the first flurry of snow。
For he fully and fondly meant to come back。 Jees Uck was dear to him；
and； further； a golden future awaited the north。 With his father's money
he intended to verify that future。 An ambitious dream allured him。 With
his four years of experience； and aided by the friendly cooperation of the P。
C。 Company； he would return to become the Rhodes of Alaska。 And he
would return； fast as steam could drive； as soon as he had put into shape
the affairs of his father； whom he had never known； and comforted his
mother； whom he had forgotten。
There was much ado when Neil Bonner came back from the Arctic。
The fires were lighted and the fleshpots slung； and he took of it all and
called it good。 Not only was he bronzed and creased； but he was a new
man under his skin； with a grip on things and a seriousness and control。
His old companions were amazed when he declined to hit up the pace in
the good old way； while his father's crony rubbed hands gleefully； and
became an authority upon the reclamation of wayward and idle youth。
For four years Neil Bonner's mind had lain fallow。 Little that was
new had been added to it； but it had undergone a process of selection。 It
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had； so to say； been purged of the trivial and superfluous。 He had lived
quick years； down in the world； and； up in the wilds； time had been given
him to organize the confused mass of his experiences。 His superficial
standards had been flung to the winds and new standards erected on
deeper and broader generalizations。 Concerning civilization； he had gone
away with one set of values； had returned with another set of values。
Aided； also； by the earth smells in his nostrils and the earth sights in his
eyes； he laid hold of the inner significance of civilization； beholding with
clear vision its futilities and powers。 It was a simple little philosophy he
evolved。 Clean living was the way to grace。 Duty performed was
sanctification。 One must live clean and do his duty in order that he might
work。 Work was salvation。 And to work toward life abundant； and
more abundant； was to be in line with the scheme of things and the will of
God。
Primarily； he was of the city。 And his fresh earth grip and virile
conception of humanity gave him a finer sense of civilization and
endeared civilization to him。 Day by day the people of the city clung
closer to him and the world loomed more colossal。 And； day by day；
Alaska grew more remote and less real。 And then he met Kitty Sharona
woman of his own flesh and blood and kind； a woman who put her hand
into his hand and drew him to her； till he forgot the day and hour and the
time of the year the first snow flies on the Yukon。
Jees Uck moved into her grand log…house and dreamed away three
golden summer months。 Then came the autumn； post…haste before the
down rush of winter。 The air grew thin and sharp； the days thin and short。
The river ran sluggishly； and skin ice formed in the quiet eddies。 All
migratory life departed south； and silence fell upon the land。 The first
snow flurries came； and the last homing steamboat bucked desperately
into the running mush ice。 Then came the hard ice； solid cakes and
sheets； till the Yukon ran level with its banks。 And when all this ceased
the river stood still and the blinking days lost themselves in the darkness。
John Thompson； the new agent； laughed； but Jees Uck had faith in the
mischances of sea and river。 Neil Bonner might be frozen in anywhere
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The Faith of Men
between Chilkoot Pass and St。 Michael's； for the last travellers of the year
are always caught by the ice； when they exchange boat for sled and dash
on through the long hours behind the flying dogs。
But no flying dogs came up the trail； nor down the trail； to Twenty
Mile。 And John Thompson told Jees Uck； with a certain gladness ill
concealed； that Bonner would never come back again。 Also； and brutally；
he suggested his own eligibility。 Jees Uck laughed in his face and went
back to her grand log…house。 But when midwinter came； when hope dies
down and life is at its lowest ebb； Jees Uck found she had no credit at the
store。 This was Thompson's doing； and he rubbed his hands； and walked
up and down； and came to his door and looked up at Jees Uck's house and
waited。 And he continued to wait。 She sold her dog…team to a party of
miners and paid cash for her food。 And when Thompson refused to
honour even her coin； Toyaat Indians made her purchases； and sledded
them up to her house in the dark。
In February the first