big cities. Although he had knocked about the world a great deal and
taken active part in many a stirring scene he had always been a clean
man. Born and bred on a Dakota farm, he was still the typical country
boy, big and vigorous in physique, with a sane, wholesome outlook on
things.

When his mother--a penniless widow--died he was adopted by a tyrannical
uncle, a miserly farmer, who made him do chores around the homestead in
return for his keep. But the boy detested farming. His young soul
yearned for a glimpse of the great outside world, of which he had read
and knew nothing, and his desperation grew, until one day he summoned
up enough courage to run away.

On foot, with nothing to eat, and only an occasional hitch behind a
friendly teamster's wagon, he bravely made his way to Bismarck, fifty
miles distant where, after nearly starving to death, he enlisted the
sympathies of a kindly grocer, who gave him two dollars a week and his
board to run errands. This was not much better than what he had escaped
from, but John did not care. At least it was the dawn of independence.
Industrious and faithful, he was rewarded in due time by promotion and
eventually he might have become a partner and married the grocer's
daughter, but unfortunately, or fortunately, as may be, his restless
spirit made this programme impossible of realization.

Twenty years of age, and six feet tall in his stockings, he had muscles
like steel and nerves of iron. A tall, finely-built type of Western
manhood, he had a frank, open face, with clean-cut features, a strong
mouth, and alert, flashing eyes, that denoted a quick, nervous energy.
In repose his face was serious; when he smiled, revealing fine strong
teeth, it was prepossessing. He wore his hair rather long, and with his
loose corduroy jacket, top boots, and cowboy hat, suggested the Western
ranchman. The girls of Bismarck were all in love with him, and his mere
presence doubled the business of the store, but the young man resisted
all feminine blandishments. He was ambitious, dissatisfied and
restless, A voice within him told him that Nature intended him for
something better than selling potatoes; so, taking affectionate leave
of the grocer, he went away.

Ten years passed. He prospered and saw a good deal of the world. He
traveled East and West, North and South. He was in Canada and down in
Mexico; he visited London, Berlin, Paris, New York and San Francisco.
His money all gone, he drift