HKB
snows." She smiled at me. Well, then I thought--why not? And smiled her back, And on we went to Fairbanks, where my hat Blows off, as I shall tell you.
For a day We did the town together, and that night I thought to win her. First we dined together, Had many drinks, my little school ma'am drank Of everything I ordered, had a place For more than I could drink. And truth to tell At bed time I was woozy, ten o'clock. We had not registered. And so I said, "I'm Mr. Kelly and you're Mrs. Kelly." She shook her head. And so to make an end I could not win her, signed my name in full; She did the same, we said good night and parted.
Next morning when I woke, felt none too good, Got up at last and met her down at breakfast; Tried eggs and toast, could only drink some coffee; Got worse; in short, she saw it, put her hand Upon my head and said, "Your head is hot, You have a fever." Well, I lolled around And tried to fight it off till noon--no good. By this time I was sick, lay down to rest. By night I could not lift my head--in short, I lay there for a month, and all the time She cared for me just like a mother would. They moved me to a suite, she took the room That opened into mine, by night and day She nursed me, cheered me, read to me. At last When I sat up, was soon to be about, She said to me, "I'm going on to Nome, St. Michael first. They tell me that you cross The Arctic Circle going to St. Michael, And I must cross the Arctic Circle--think To come this far and miss it. I must see The Indian villages." And there again I saw, but clearer than before, the spirit Adventuresome and restless, what you call The heart American. I said to her, "I'm not too well, I'm lonely,--yes, and more-- I'm fond of you, you have been good to me, Stay with me here.--She darted in and out The room where I was lying, doing things, And broke my pleadings just like icicles You shoot against a wall.
But here she was, A month in Fairbanks, living at expense, Said "I am short of money--lend me some, I'll go to Nome, return to you and then We'll ship together for the States."
You see I really owed her money for her care, Her loss in staying--then I loved the girl, Had played all cards but one--I played it now: "Come back and marry me." Her eyes looked down. "I will be fair with you," she said, "and think. Away from you I can make up my mind If I have love enough to marry you." I gave her money and she went away, And for some weeks I had a splendid hell Of loneliness and longing, you might know, A stranger in Alaska, here in Fairbanks, In love besides, and mulling in my mind Our days and nights upon the steamer Alice, Our ramblings in the Northland.
Weeks went by, No letter and no girl. I found my health Was vigorous again. One morning walking I kicked a twenty dollar gold piece up Right on the side-walk. Picked it up and said: "An omen of good luck, a letter soon! Perhaps this town has something for me!" Well, I thought I'd get a job to pass the time While waiting for my girl. I got the job And here I am to-day; I've flourished here, Worked to the top in Fairbanks in eight years, And thus my hat blew off.