Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-11-09
TOLD ABOUT TOWN.
The Obs:quIes of an Old Family Pet-Oth
er Incidents.


Second avenue business establish
ment yesterday afternoon moved an
assemblage of sympathizing friends
behind the remains of family pet.
which was tenderly conveyed to the
back yard and lowered to its ever
lasting sleeping place IN the presence
of aching hearts and inconsola bic
admirers. ..Peter," the pet of the
merchants daughter and Joy of the
household. had passed away after a
long. upright and happy career
Peter" was an intelligent white rat
His bright and unassuming manner
Ut life had endeared him to everyone
thereabout. Therefore it was with
profound sorrow that the Information
Of his demise was received. The mu-
stefan and confectioner were especial
favorites of peter" beside ibis mis-
treSs, and when the white-haired pei
turned up his heels they were the
first to shed tears The funeral GER
emony was impressive. In the death
room only the intimate friends of the
deceased were allowed. The confec-
toner delivered the Grafton and
touched upon the beautiful life of
''Peter." and the sermon concluded
with cornet solo land the Band
Played On" by the musician. Then
Peter" was lowered into the grave
in specially made coffin.
An experience which. while never.
to-be-forgotten. is just beginning to
be told about town. was that en-.
countered by plumber in the
The employ of Rock Island institu.
ton while doing job at the resi-.
dence of one of Moline's prominent
families. The family kept pet bear
which generally held forth in the
cellar. The plumber was unaware OF
this fact when he started across the
dark and dingy basement in search
Of water connection. He collided
with something woody. All fright
vanished when he satisfied himself
that it was nothing more than a dog.
But he couldn't understand why the
oeast was so affectionate-it Rugged
aim and acted as though anxious for
wrestling match. Unable to find
The desired locality, the plumber lit
4 match.
Alone with a bear! For an instant
while the thought of how many good
meals human carcasses furnished
these savages, he was like unto stat
uary-his life seemed to desert. FL
nally be mustered up enough cour-
age to rush for the entrance. The
bear followed and as he was about to
bound into open air the beast clinched
and felled him. He shouted an ago
nizing cry which attracted the occu.
pants of the house, who came to the
plumbers rescue. With the man
underneath the bear seemed tc
laugh at its victory. So weakened
from fright it was difficult the
plumber walked out of the cellar.
The bear attempted like games on
other people afterward and became
so ugly that the family found it nee
essary to dispatch it TO eternity.
The Fifth avenue business man
had been youngster one time, but
he nevertheless resented any pranks
OF the rising generation-especially
those practiced on Hallowe'en-and
ne remained home this night pre-
pared to furnish any of the disturb
ers making a target out OF his resi-
dence. Presently two little girls
happened along and threw a handful
Of corn against the business mans
window and ran. The stately gen
Ieman who holds clerical position
with one of the large manufacturers
came sauntering by. The business
nan rushed out of the house boiling
mad, and without asking explana.
on, landed on the big fellows neck,
knocking his headgear a-flying.
What do you mean, slr2" shouted
the clerk, graphing with his assail-
ant.
IL mean. SIR" came the reply, "to
teach you that my house is no tar.
get for such damnable practices"
"Why you COMPOUNDED fool! |
didn't throw at your window. Those
little girls up there are the ones who
did the throwing"
The business man cooled off in an
instant and looked beaten. "Well,
I'm sorry this has occurred, and
hope You will overlook my error and
accep: my apology"
During the scuffle the big mans
hat was stamped and broken. "Apol-
ogv-nothipg-for two cents l would
give you beating. And an apology
isn't going to pay for my hat, eth.
err"
Certainly, deserve punishment,
but take it good naturally, AS it was
4 mistake; and as for any damages,
come down to my Office tomorrow
and l will compensate you for the
loss of your hat"
IL don't propose to lay off day to
see you"
Never mind that; 1 will paw you
for any loss of time, too"
They then parted. The next day
the business man had a visitor to
whom he gave an order for q for a
hat and 81 extra.