davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-28
CHAPTER VII.

THE CAPTAINS STATEMENT.
The bark heeled to a damp gust Of
the night breeze as the second mate, in
voice, low with agitation, spoke. Mr..
Matthews did not rightly catch his
meaning. The man repeated his words
'All the small arms stolen out of
the chest:" exclaimed MI Matthews,
stiffening his leaning figure and peer.
ing hard at Poole by the windy st: =
light. How long have they been gone?'
1--WE only just discovered tine theft"
answered the second mate.
This must be reported to the cap.
tain at once" said Mr.. Matthews.
keep the deck till 1 return"
He went below and knocked on the
saptain's door.
The skipper swung in a cot, and
when the mate told him that Mr.. Poole
had just discovered that the whole Of
the ships small arms were stolen he
tumbied out Of his swing bed on to the
deck in shirt and drawers. as an ape
drops out of tree when shot.
who's done il, sir?' pulled the old
man while he pulled on his breaches
Z.
in q passion of hurry.
1.-THE ship must be searched for the
things, cir. " said the mate.
AYE. to her dunnage," blew the
skipper. 1.-The small arms stolenr' he
exclaimed, brought to halt BY an in
stant's shock of sheer incredulity.
why. this looks like q plan, don't it,
A conspiracy. hey, sir7 Forward or aft?
Softly, SIR"
He opened the door, and they stepped
out lightly.
'..Send Mr.. Poole here" said old Ben
son in q whisper like o saw, and he
went straight to the second mates cab
in. He entered it without ceremony. A
little lamp screwed to the bulkhead
was burning. The lid Of the arms chest
lay open, and the skipper had no need
to look twice to see that it was empty.
While he was gaping at it Mr.. Poole
arrived.
Whats the meaning Of this, STRIP
said the captain, pointing to the chest
II have no idea, SIR" answered the
second mate, who was pale and seemed
alarmed.
lyon have the key Of this chest. sir.
Where is it?''
The second mate opened . locker and
took out key. Here it is. sir just as
I placed it-jrst as it's lain from the
beginning. The persons who've stolen
the arms did not want my key. The
locks been forced.
'When did you make this discovery,
sir:' the captain said. casting his little
eyes about
Just now. sir; soon after the chief
officer relieved me-"
What made You examine the box
1uat nQWr"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-28
On the Following
COndifiOnS-

/. The winner must be resident of
Rock Island
2. He or she must not be less than X
or more than 81 years Of age.
3. All subscriptions must be for six
weeks or more.
4. No credit will be allowed for sub
scriptions Of persons who discontinue THE
ARGUS after this date.
S. The contest will close at d. m. Sat
urday Feb. 20. 1897. All names must be at
the Office by that hour.
6. A consolation prize to the one getting
next to the largest number of subscribers
will be given in the form of a trip to any
place the winner desires within a radius of
200 miles of Rock Island.
z. A committee to be composed of SUI
perlntendent Of Schools X. G.. Young, Hon.
William McEniry and Rev. r. F. Sweet
have consented to superintend the count in
the interest OF fairness to all the contestants
their decision to be absolute.
9. Every contestant must register at
HE ARGUS office and be provided with
the proper blanks before beginning work.
g. The names Of subscribers must he
brought to THE ARGUS Office on the day
they are obtained, or the day following at
the latest.
10. To win either prize it will be neces-
safy tor the contestant TO get a total OF so
subscribers.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-28
CHAPTER VI CONTINUED.


II know these storms" said Dave.
Dire. There's 10 gale here. It's goin:
to pass away like a woman's swoon aft
er yelling fit"
"This should give US the opportunity
ne want. - said Masters.
We're not ready, and you know itr'
exclaimed Captain Trollope. "Am to
have the handling Of this job? want
10 suggestions and much more caution
from some OF you
What did he say exclaimed Burn
10 Shannon when the thunder had
passed.
But before al answer could be made
10 this question the sea was lighted up
by z marvellous, beautiful. but terrific
stroke of lightning. tina. fell like ball
some distance away On the port beam Of
the Queen. 1t flashed through the air as
though discharged by some vast gun
pointed downward. a dead, unrever-
beraut shool: Of thunder followed. Some
one shouted on the ships forecastle.
Thore was another cry on the poop over.
head.
"What has bappened.n cried Mr..
Storr, rushing through the cuddy to
where the men stCcd
1.-THE whaler has been struck and is
on fire." answered Captain Trollope
coolly.
Ec must have had Keen sight and
practiced eye 10 know it, for the light
ming made a most assembling phantom
Of the Yankee. But he was soon proved
right by light beginning to burn
steadily on the sea. The lightning flash
ed about it; the thunder roared over it
the rain had ceased. A candle fame
would have burned straight in the air
The invisible black swell ran softly,
beaten into a low pulse By that great
fall Of wet, and still yonder light burn
cd OH. growing in briliiarcy till you
could see the whaler coming and going
to. Sudden tongues Of flame leaping and
dying about the foremost.
'tull up with oil, by Jove! What
bonfire we're going TO have!" said MI.
Burn.
"A ship Gil fire'' yelled Mr.. Stolr in
to the cuddy.
Dare we show ourselves?" cried Mrs
Dent, jumping up from the table
1T don't rain" answered M. Storr,
''the lightning's passing.''
Here Mr. Matthews, sparkling in wet
oilskiIs, came below to inform the Ia
dies, with the captains compliments,
that there was a ship Oh fire in sight.
and that if they would care to witness
the dreadful spectacle a platform OF
gratings and dry planlsing should be at
once contrived for them to stand Oh.
II would not lose such sight for a
million" exclaimed Mrs. Dent.
''This sort Of thing is called going
home for ones health" said Mrs. Pea
cock, who had been almost dead with
fear during tie raging of the storm.
Miss Mansel laughed. However, all
Of them, including Mrs. Peacock, speed
lily clothed themselves for the deck, and
then the Queen was alive with sight
seers. The storm was settling north
ward, leaving o breathless calm in its
wake. Southwark the evening was be-
ginning to show in pale stars amid riffs
of heavy vapor slowly going to pieces.
It could not be seen with the night
glass that the whalemen were fighting
the fire, which had caught strong
hold. Already the bows of the craft
were in flames, and while you watched
You could see how these fiery dartings,
shaking into thick smoke. crimsoninc
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-28

CHAPTER LIN 1884 the Queen,
clipper bark. leaves Sydney, Aus
ira la, with treasure There are zen
male passengers and five women.
ll-She is chased by enter. which
puts on board James Murray. who
wishes passage to England. lila
steamer follows. Police beard the
Queen to arrest Murray, who is ab-
sconding with money. Murray
commits suicide.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-28
The Trip
A Feature,

The contest will be decided SO that the
lucky boy or girl may leave the city in time
to be in Washington "Wednesday morning,
March 5. The trip will be made over the
GREAT Rock ISLAND ROUTE in connection
with the BALTIMORE & Ono. one Of the
best scenic routes known. both OF which
trunk lines have made exhaustive arrange
mcnts for the comfort of the travelling public
at that time. The trip itself over these lines
will alone be feature, making as they do,
one OF the best routes that could be planned.
II the winner wishes TO arrive in Washington
Thursday. March 4. the day of Inauguration,
this may also be done. VIII ch would make IL
possible to be there over the following Sun
day. The details may be arranged by the
winner. Remember the whole expcns: of
the trip. Including a s-days stay in the city,
is to be borne by THE ARGUS.
Reqistsr 1t Oaee and Get b Work.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-28

-DiQ ne inquire about the consisn-
ment OF gold!" said the captain, stand
ing hard as bronze upon his rounded
legs while he watched the face of the
second mate by the light of the moon,
his glowing cigar poised, q loose, white
hair or two trembling.
The second mate was afraid to speak
the truth and told o lie. This question
ing OF the old skipper astonished and
alarmed him. Uniformed suspicious 6lI.
ed his head and nuddled it. When he
should have said yes, he answered no.
The captain quilted him abruptly and
went some PAGES forward and strobe
awhile athwartship, smoking, but some
feet abaft the rail at the break SO that
those who stood under could not see
him. There was nothing, however, for
the old man to hear but o low rumble
Of voices, with an occasional laugh. saw
ing that once a clearer voice began.
without heed Of the cuddy door beng
open and the ladies sleeping within, 10
tell q story which dismissed the old
skipper to his regular post, and while
he sucked at his cigar end he heard
shout Of laughter.
Captain Benson this night fingered a
little longer than usual on deck. Seven
bells found him pacing his dignity walk
betwixt the wheel and the nizzen rig.
ging. AT this hour all was hushed un.
der the break Of the poop. The last of
the passengers had turned in, and the
ship was in possession Of the watch on
deck. who snorsd in corners or YEARLY
paced the forecastle.
Now 1t was that old Benson, after
taking a view of the compass and send
ing searching look aloft and to wind.
ward and after gruffly delivering a
sentence or two of instructions to Mr..
Fcole, went below to get some rest, but
no man could tell at what hour this old
skipper would reappear, for he was u,ys-
ferrous as u specter in his tricks of
emergence. Often it happened that with
Ii ten minutes of the cid dogs having
gone below for the night the mate of
the watch, lounging at tine rail, relieved
OF the tyranny of that bowleggcd pres
ence, would look aft and start on be-
holding, walking close beside the wheel,
the shadowy but familiar figure in q
tall hat and long coat.
Midnight was struck on the bell. A
hoarse voice bawled down through the
fore scutsle: Eight bells below there.
D'you hear the news?" The wheel was
relieved, and the chief officer, with his
eyes full OF sleep, came up tho weather
poop steps and talked for few minutes
to Mr.. Poole, who then went to his
cabin.
The moon was far astern on the quar-
ter, sinking, and the burning light of
the whaler gone long since.
Clouds Of fleece flew across the stars,
which shook in splendor. and the bark
strained as she drove the brine into re-
coiling flashes. But the breeze had
headed aer; they had braced up in that
first watch, and the ship was of her
course
Scarcely 90 minutes had elapsed
since the watch was relieved when Mr..
Matthews, who soberly paced the wealth
er side Of the poop, was surprised by
observing the second mate gliding with
great rapidly across the deck from the
lee poop ladder. Matthews came to q
stand. dir. Poole exclaimed, breathing
fast:
What do you think: The arms chest
III my cabin has been forced and the
whole OF the weapons stolen"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-28
=
E=
Grand Offer

Always alive to the best interests Of the
public TnE ARGUS has determined upon a
plan by which some bright boy or girl
IN Rock Island may visit the ma
tional capital at Washington, ID. c.
absolutely free. As one of the great
est presidential campaigns that ever occurred
has Just closed. and one that will live in his
tory, II is only natural that the greatest in
terest will be manifested in the Inauguration
OF President elect William Mckinley. That
being the case, THE ARGUS has decided to
pay the entire expense of the trip. includ-
ing four days stay in Washington, 10
the boy or girl between the ages of IS and a.
years who secures the most new subscribers
to TnE Argus between now and Saturday,
Feb. 20. 1897.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-28

The questions You put TO me on deck,
sir
Let me see the list Of the small
arms
Mr.. Poole produced q packet Of pa
pers from his little locker and handed q
dirty old parchmentlike piece Of stun
to the captain. who stepped close to the
lamp and read aloud, "'Seveu muskeaa
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19
CONCERNING DEsERrIoN.

"rhe desire to desert, sail Captain
Viven. 'can be cured ~ i@ath ol.y A
man may serve two years q SIX Years
but il ne is deserter Dy nature ne Is
sure 10 lake uncerenon10Is InaVa al The
least unexpected moment
CAPTAIN Vlven aces lot E"ilpVe IhaI
raising the pay or improving the condI-
ton OF the soldier has any enect Upon
the percentage OF deSeruOns. Nofhng
IN ciyll lie ana the fear of punishment
restraInS the man VINO mas conceived and
cherished the 1Qea. Inc rear of punish
menL, by the way, is mol at present very
great as the reward Tor Experimenting
oeserter has been reduced from so 10
$40 ana The Oncer making the arrest
must pay the expense of delivering the
deSerter to the nearest post Dul OL this
snlan reward. The indications are that
stan may feel, think That 10 get rid of
a man who Is possessed CT the oesire
to desert is a distinct al nitaSe and
the sooner such a one cuts ana runs the
better it is for the service. When de-
serters are caught, however, they are
severely punished by imprisonment at
hard labor AMI a eonviction takes from
a man the pri 1ileges of citizenship.
There are f-ss than forty recruiting
stations at present in the United States
and these are scattered over the coun-
try from Boston to San Francisco Last
November about $50 recruits were Sc
cured and Boston supplied more than
any other station, New York next st.
Louis next. then st. Paul, then Albany
For many years after the civil war the
majority of the enlisted men were Of
foreign birth and many of them were
not even citizens. Now no man is ELI
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19

board that night. and every evening he
studied alone, carefully noting the
moves of the great games in his books.
Science viii teIl,'' he said to him
self. These games were played by
champions, and the results are certain
as fate
AT last the eventfuI day came. and
at o'clock the sehoolmaster went To
the Bates residence.
There was jolly crowd Of neigh
bors present The old house was oyar-
flowing. Mighty preparations were 90
ing on in the kitchen, and the smell
Of roast turkey and coffee was every
where.
The minister was there-a nervous
little man in an uncomfortable black
suit The teachers rival came a few
minutes later.
Then Farmer Bates took the floor.
'sNeighbors an friends" he began. Or
atorically. Il s'pose YOU know that
! the schoolmaster and Bill Keeler here
are goin' to play a game of check ars
for my girl Hattie Now I'll point
Dave Nash an Uncle Tommy Blk to
be empires. an you all understand
that if anyone makes any suggestion
on the game. it'll have to be played
over. The Weddin'n be right after the
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19

whether he wishes to go into the foot or
the mounted service and his desires are
generally respected: For infantry a man al
ches in height, and weigh not less than
LIS pounds. nor more than 1870 pounds
For cavalry the height must not be less
than FIVE feet four inches nor more than
five feet ten inches, while the weight
and chest measurements are as follows
For a man TT. in tall, weight 12S lbs,
chest 321A inches.
For a man TT. in. tall, weight I3U
lbs. chest 50 inches.
For man # in. all, weight 132
lbs, chest 321a inches.
For a man IT. in. TALL weight l54
lbs. chest 81 inches.
For a man #. in. tall weight 1A
lbs chest 81 inches.
For a man fit. in tall weight 14S
lbs, chest 3411 inches.
For a man 5 # 10 In. tall, weight 155
lbs. chest 50 inches.
II the regulations should be stretched
so as to let In taller man than five
feet ten. then his size must increase IN
similar proportion to his height. For in
stance man six feet one in height must
weigh 176 pounds and have chest meas
urennent of 36A inches Indeed there is
no prejudice against tall men, but they
are scrutinized very carefully and must
be symmetrical also. Captain Vivien.
who is in charge OF the New YORK re
day of an applicant who had just been
refused. He was young man of what
is vaguely known in this country as
gentle birth" He was well educated and
accustomed to the usages of society
+ He was an inch over six feet tall and as
handsome a fellow as is often seen
clean cut in features and figure, alert
in mind and manner. This young fellow
had an idea Of serving part of an en-
Iistment and then going UP for examln-
alton for a commission. He was in APP
pearance Just the kind of fellow to de-
/ tight the eye of the old soldier, and APP
parently without a blemish of any sort.
He passed the examination successfully
in all respects save one-the surgeon was
fearful that one Of his eyes was slightly
! affected by astigmatism. The young
mn was astonished and the surgeon
was in doubt. The surgeon told him to
return in few days for another exam
/ nation. Meantime the young man went
/ to an oculist who certified that the as
| tignatism was slight and Insignificant
/ It was, however, in the opinion of the
surgeon and recruiting officer fatal
blemish and the young man had to fore
! go his ambition.
RIGID PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.
| A man who has passed an examina-
| ton for life insurance policy, If he be
| of sensitive nature, is apt to feel that
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19
rhe P1nrnen of Errnt

Were mighty bad. Not so serious as
these are nervous troubles but they
are terribly harrassing, nevertheless.
That thorough nervine and tonic, Hos
letters Stomach Bitters. renders the
nerves tranquil and strong, promotes
digestion, appetite and sleep. and es-
tablishes health on firm and perna-
nent basis. Nervousness has its most
frequent origin in digestion and stom-
achic weakness. This cause of nervous
debility is removed by the Bitters.
which impart healthy tone to the
gastric region. upon the activity of
which the well-being of the entire sys-
tenn is largely dependent This sterling
and time-honorcd medicine also reme-
dies and prevents biliousness, consfi-
patton. rheumatic and kidney COM
plants and all forms Of malariai dis
ease. Use 1t regularly.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19

1t may have been week after this
evening that Edna Bristol, Hattie's
pretty but duh seatmate. found the
day too short for her lessons, and had
to stay after school,
Hattie obtained permission to wait
for her, and after every one else was
gone she said to the teacher:
II think you have checker board
here. Mr.. Field. Won't You show me
how to play by numbers?"
The schoolmaster rather shamefaced
got out his board and his books:
t'Rudiments of Draughts," ''Spayth,"
and Robertson" and they played
games and variations by the dozen.
And pretty Edna seemed to find the
atmosphere conducive to study. for she
mastered the refractory grammar les
son thoroughly.
The next day Edna said:
Teacher, 1 can study after school
better than any other time. May l
stay tontght?' And so the programme
was Indefinitely extended.
NOW young man cannot play check
ers with pretty girl night after night
without coming to give fully as much
attention TO her as to the game; con-
Sequenlly the schoolmaster felt as
though a great blank spot had moved
unto his life one afternoon when Hattie,
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19

game, an then we'll have supper.
Place your men, empires!'
The rivals were seated and the board
placed between them.
Here, Hattie, the farmer called,
you set here where they can both
see you. an they'll know what they're
pIayin' for"
Hattie gave a timid greeting to the
two young men. and took the seat in
dicated. Then the great game began.
The schoolmaster played slowly, re-
lating everv move to some game
played by the old champions. Rill
Keller played with a dash that had
carried him off victor in countless con-
tests
The spectators crowded around
them breathless at first, then as the
game slowly progressed. making whis-
pered comments. Cga of the older
women sang a little.~ softly. and some
one in the BACKGROUND whistled a part
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19

tirement occurred Thus it will be seen
that the government looks after the old
soldiers with much consid =rauion.
a private receives S15 a month or the
first two years of enlistment and SD
served faithfully aad the riFcr uss in.
formed by Captain Viven that care
full man could easily save $500 during the
three years. TINS Wou4d Seem 10 Ne Iln-
that a soldiers clothing, quarters and
food are supplied to HIM. Considering
these facts. IN connection with the ad-
Vantages Of the post schools, Libraries
wee IN the United States army cannot
be considered as other tLAn a wholesome
and benenclaI experience. 10 those who
fret a. restraint ana srho cannot sub
perience 1t Is lkeIy TO ne very valu-
abe unless the laWless soldier ba dlt1 en-
n
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19

gible who Is not a citizen or who has
not made legal declaration to become a
citizen and can speak. read and write
the English language. Indeed, the great
majority Of the recruits today are ma
tive born though many of them are of
foreign parentage. There are post schools
at which soldiers, who desire it. can ar-
ouire free Of cost a fair English educa-
ton. Not many enlist for the sake of
this advantage. but very many young
men. once in the service, take advantage
of these schools and on account of the
instruction received return to civil life
much better equipped for self-support
ard the exercise OF intelligent citizen
81 p.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19

Having had all the high grade
baking powder tested. He Niett Bros
can sufely say that their Three
Crown baking Pawder is the strong
est and Durest made.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-02-15

realm of the Moslem. Such is the fruit Of
the tree planted by highwayman In fol-
lowing up this normal plan Christian
Armenia has been led to the slaughter
They are among the most industrious,
loyal and inotfensive people in the world
The Turk has never ruled over subjects
more faithful than these but they are
Christians: their oppression brought the
demand upon the Sublime Porte save the
mark-to carry out the reforms agreed to
in treaty. The Turk was never more sur
prised in his life than when he found out
he was expected to keep his word That
is an unheard-of thing among the Turks
To remove the necessity of reform the
bloody Turk has devised the simpler plan,
to him, of removing the people and thus
the necessity for reform.
Another fact that needs to be remembered
is that these untold crimes were b., the
direct order Of the ruling head OF the
Turkish empire. 1t is not blaze of
religious fanatcsm that burst out among
the people, hut a we'll planned, cold
blooded, system Of rapne and murder,
than which none more awful and hideous
has ever stained the pages of history.
Such man is the present Sultan of Turkey
and he is no longer fit to exercise the
power he has so abused.
A word as to the responsibility for this
state of things. Everyone knows the Sui
tan is on a tottering throne. His Ieign
would have ended twenty years ago if the
English government had not propped itup.
The present condition would not continue
a day if only England would act Eng
land does not act because to move, means
the partition OF Turkey and English men
have guaranteed Turkish bonds and would
lose great deal of money if Turkey as a
government ceased. 1t is money that ties
the English fleet and makes the blood of
Armenia flow. I'd not believe there
would he any great danger in the Powers
enforcing Armenian reform. All this
tmid conservatism in the face of such cry
ing wrongs is cowardly and devilish.
War may be bad but it is benediction
alongside the evil of cowardly craven and
truculent subserviency in the presence of
outraged righteousness.
The Sultan will appeal to the spirit of
Islam il pressed will he? Is it possible
Tor him to do so. more than he has already
done? Has he not promised eternal happi-