Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-01-15

sfterward became an object OF interest.
This story introduces itself 10 the reader
on a certain Saturday evening mt the tav-
ern, where in the bright, fresh parlor
Landlord Gregson, Farmer w vile and Mil
Ter Brabson are sitting around table, each
with a goodly pile of money before him.
Mary Gregson and Ellen Wylie, old Johns
blooming daughter, are leaning from a
front window in earnest col versation, In
which color, pattern and style are the chief
factors.
Come here, you girls" called Gregson,
count these three piles over and see what
you make Of them"
The girls came gravely and did as they
were bid.
THERE'S Just So 1888 80 in each pile" they
both reported.
Then Landlord Gregson pushed a pile
1ver toward each of his neighbors and
pulled one toward himself, at the same
time telling Mary to bid tie man at the
oar to hiring some mint julip for this was
in the bright days of the early summer, and
the men were dividing the result of a joint
speculation, which had turned out most
successfully, and they were happy exceed
ingy. Mary brought the ,uleps and set
them on the table Then she laid her right
foreiinger on n twenty dollar note on the
top of her fathers pile, and at the same
time with her left arm she Kissed up her
fathers face and kissed him. When he
looked down again the note was gone
Then Ellen Wylie came quietly behind her
father and did the same thing
We'll, Molil' exclaimed Sam Gregson,
and chucklcd
"Well, Nclir' observed old John Wylie
and he chuckled.
eli! Goy!' remarked Tom Brabson,
adding: IF only had larter to come
ahind me ana do that she might Just grab
the whole pile and I'd never wink. Here,
gals, Is ten apiece for you, Jest to kinder
make things even like" and he laid the
bills out or each side OF him. The two
girls looked at each other, smiled, aud then
each came behind him, drew his head back
and kissed him. When he looked down
again the two bills were gone. "Hil GoyI"
chuckled old Brabson, Pm one ahead of
You fellows. I'm one kiss ahead, and [
won't wash my face for u week for fear of
taking away the taste"
Then Gregson babe his d. nchter take his
money and put it in the safe in his bed
room, while Wylie and Babson put theirs
in their pockets aud walled away home
shortly after Ellen Wyli. remaining as
Mary Gregsun's guest.
On Sunday afternoon Wien John Wylie
brought his wife home from church, he
put on a pair o overalis AM an Old warmus
Of worsted to protect his Sunday clothes.
and pOttercd about among his stock and
outbuildings until dark. Then he read
chapter in the Bible and Il { markets in the
country paper TO his wife, until she snored
gently and peacefully. Then he put on bis
hat and walked, first up stairs and then
out OF doors.
Mrs. Wylie awoke, mi, sed him. found
he had not gone to bed. concluded he would
be back In a little while, fastened up all
except the front door and went to bed.
On Monday morning she awoke Just
when Mary Gregson and Joe Luton were
wondering ut the smoke above the Liga
woods. Mr. Wylie was not il his bed; had
not been in it all night aud Mrs Wylis
wondered with dawning anxiety where he
was. She went to the desk where he kept
ms money, and where he had placed the
funds he had brought home on Saturday
night. The money was not there Her
anxiety increased and she called up the
household and sent out for the farm hands,
who at once began Il search for Mr.. Wyle
She sent farm boy post haste after Mr.
GregsOn and Mr.. BTabsOn, aS friends of
the family, TO advise her what To do. They
came with all due haste, followed by Mary,
Ellen and q full half of the people of the
village.
/ Gregson and Brahsou looked through
/ the house, examined the bedroom and in
spected the desk. Then they searched the
barn ard all the outbuildlngs Having
done this, they sat down on the porch and
INDUCED in silent thought for half an
hour, as they whitfield aoseutly at a couple
of shingles picked up beside the carriage
house. Then Gregsou looked at Brabson
and said solemuly:
| Il think that is about the size of it"
There is not the least doubt about it, to
my thinking" responded Brabson.
The two dozen curious men and women
standing and sitting about the yard were
electrified saying one to another:
THAT is just what | thought all alongr'
Mary GregsOn was the only one who did
not seem to understand the conclusion she
arrived ut, and she bravely said:
Father, what have YOU found out2"
Nothing" he replied.
That's my view" added BrabsOu, aud
the populace murrnureG:
Nv hat did [ tell you"
Il 'spose," remarked Mr.. Brabson grave
ly, wed better be letting the water outen
the dam
YOU'RE just right, Tom" responded Mr..
Gregson with aiucrity. Let's see to it."
1t is u well known fact that in all cases
of emergency in rural communities one OF
the first things to be done is to let the
water out of the milldsun. If there is no
milldam handy, the nearest stream is
dragged with the least possible delay. II
nothing is found the satisfaction IS reached
of knowing that there is nothing there
which has upon the excited state of feeling
much the same soothing effect as phlebOt
omy has upon the feverish patient.
The dam was duly let ''Out" and the re
suit was u fine mess OF fresh fish for all who
cared to carry them away, but nothing
more, aud the sun went down upon a sor
rowing household and sympathizing
anxious community.
On Tuesday sympathy, curiosity and &
desire to help again drew people to TIT
Wylie farmstead, and among them came
Joe Luton, who could do no more worn
until the milldam fill, I'd up.