Page 29 - MailOrderBrideFlipBook

they fought the storm. He had very little money and knew no one. He could remember how hungry he was. Scanning his new surroundings, he saw an old man standing on the end of the dock farthest out toward the sea. The man was standing alone, just staring out over the ocean. Eli could remember how he was just about to head into town, when he again looked at the old man and felt drawn to him. Eli shouldered his pack and walked over. He introduced himself and asked if, by chance, the man knew where he could find a place to live and possibly some work and food. The old man had continued to stand motionless, except for the wind blowing through his white hair, not saying a word, as if he were transfixed by the storm-tossed waves. The old man’s tear-filled eyes seemed to search far beyond the distant horizon. Eli was just about to turn and head to town, when the old man had wiped his eyes and turned to face him. He had seemed startled as he looked Eli over, but finally he spoke. He said his name was Jim, and he had an extra room. Eli thought about how Jim had taken him home and had given him a meal of elk steak, potatoes, and collard greens. Eli couldn’t remember a meal ever tasting so good in all of his life. Since that day, their lives had become intertwined. Jim had become like a father to him. He had helped him with almost everything. It was Jim who helped him get a job at the lumber camp. Jim was probably the oldest man in the whole area. He knew everybody, and they knew him. That didn’t mean they necessarily liked him; they just knew him. But Eli had grown to love Jim. He knew that under that rough exterior, he had a kind heart. 26