Private Journal : It was my sister Mary who found Jim, stumbling out of the old obelisk. He didn't remember who he was. We called him Jim, because he looked like a Jim. He tore into whatever chores he was given with a vengeance. He almost seemed to relish work he did with his hands. He liked hard work--though not nearly so much as he seems to like my sister. He hardly even seems to notice she's blind.

Now, at first, Pa was nervous about anybody who emerged from that old place. Legend has it, its a marker for the people as brought us to our home, from a land of a Thousand Lakes. But Jim and him now get along like they were brothers.

"Charles, I remember different places. Strange places. But I can't hardly remember being in a better place--or with a better woman."

Charles smiled.

"Sounds a lot like you better ask a certain question of my daughter, Jim."

Mary called from the distance.

"I still have ears, you know. About time you spoke up, Jim! I was on the verge of asking you myself, ya slowpoke."

Jim rescued Mary's heart, when he married her. I'm kinda jealous, myself, but I'll live, so long as she's happy. Then, Jim went and rescued the whole town. That land swindler that Mrs. Oleson had hooked up with was turned away like he was nothin' at all.

"Friend, I've studied the treaty laws of this area---extensively."

Jim ripped the claim deed up, right in front of him, then proved our case in court. Poor Mister Oleson sent his wife back east. Even Nellie felt bad about what almost happened to our town. We all loved Jim, but somehow, I think we all knew--he'd have to leave. Then, the people came for him.

"The asteroid?"

"Turned away, Captain. We are glad to see you are alive."

McCoy smiled.

"And kicking. Jim, I've never seen you so happy."

"I am happy, Bones. But I can't stay. I have good reason to come back, though. Doctor, my wife, she's----"

"Not for long, she's not. I hypoed her without telling anyone."

Mary then went running up to her Jim, tears flowing wild, like a house afire. But she wasn't crying from Jim's leaving. Like the rest of us, she just kind of knew that he would have to. No, my big sister's tears were tears of joy.

"JIM!! JIM!! I CAN SEE!!!!"

No one knows why all the sickly folks about town started getting well all of a sudden. But that 'Bones' fella is an old country doc like I'm William Shakespeare.

Jim was as good as his word, and returned whenever he could. His friends are great people, specially that Russian fella likes to claim he invented everything. When Little Jimmy was born, Jim brought two boys with him, name of David and Peter. David's all stuck-up, and doesn't like chores or schooling. As to Jim's nephew---well, lets just say that a certain Almonzo Wilder better just clean up his act. Petey could tend to make a girl forget. If only he'd stop looking at the night sky, like somethin' bad was comin'. Heck, the only thing after him--is me!

From The Early Journals Of Laura Ingalls Kirk, author of 'Little House Off Orion's Belt'