The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-17

Curious countrysthis. Who'd have looked
for Spring In January? Have you any
idea it will change? This mud is killing
business. but we can't help il. Ever know
Of such succession of fogs|
Yesterday morning he was coming up
town by the Fort-street line. His um-
brella fell from bis hand as be entered
the car. A stranger picked it up, moved
along, and the citizen sat down beside
| him and said:
"Thankee. Terrible weather, isn't it !?
| Ever see such weather before? Wen all
be sick unless there's change. Can you
account for this mild weather at this sea-.
son?"
I'D like to speak few words to you IN
private" replied the stranger in guarded
voice. please get off the car with me.
The two got off together. the citizen
greatly puzzled. and when they reached
the walk tho stranger continued:
.You remarked that this was terrible
| weather. quite agree with you. You
Seem tn be we'll educated and very OBJ
serving map, and l am glad to have met
YOU. [ hadn't taken any notice at all Of
the weather until you spoke. but quite
agree With you-quite.
The citizens cleared his throat, but did
not reply, and presently thesman went
on:
"You asked me IF had ever seen such
have at some time in my life, bat | cannot
seel Was it in 1857? No. Let's see |
Well. l cannot recall it now, bat on reach
ing home l will look up my old diaries. IF
l can do anything to obfge you l shall be
Only too glad.
They walked block 10 silence, the citi-
zen amazed and astounded, and then the
stranger suddenly said
You said we would be all sick unless
there was change. That remark shows
your interest in your fellowmen. l quite
agree with you-quite. Yes, We shall be
i'll. and many OF US may never recover.
hope you are prepared to die.
The citizen now began to get mad, and.
after hoofng it for another long block, be
growled:
What did You want to say to me in
private?'
You asked me-" replied the other as
he gestured with his clenched hand, IF |
could account for this mild weather at
this season of the year, Yes. sir. can;
but | didn't want to give it away to all in
the car. Ny theory regarding this warm
spell can be explained in Just two hours,
and II go to your Office and do it.
mo, you won't" was the blunt answer
But | will! When [ set out to oblige a
man I'm willing to spare four hours if
necessary.
| The citizen crossed the street. hoping
to shake the man off. but he also crossed
and went on:
Having been appealed to by you to
explain the cause of this mild"
See here!" said the other as he halted,
Il don't want any more of you"
But you asked Hle to explain.
81 didn't"
You are iiar-you did,
What"
Don't bristle up to me with any of
your whatsl" warned the stranger, ''or ii
knock your nose off, [ never allow any
| body to trifie with me! We will either 60
- your Office aud devote two hours to an
explanation of my theory or I'll kick you
for asking useless gu sstious and taking up
! my valuable timel'
The citizen turned pale. looked all
around. and then nude a raah 30 the
nearest house. The stranger waited
around awhile and then darted off with
Il g remark:
Never you mind sirI III hunt the
whole city over, but I'll fod your office
No man csn get me all worked up on a
mild spell of weather and then snub me
! like z beatheDin