Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-04
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.O.O.o.O.Q
. SOME SHORT STORIES. .
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SS"SS SssVOs SsStt6Ss
900.
Some people are still superssitious
about No. 13-no matter in what in.
stance or connection it may figure.
1t used TO be that almost every &C
cident or tragic death would be
traced to the ili-luck which seems to
follow in the shadow of this fated
number The superstition was carried
SO far that q person would 90 hungry
rather than be the 18th one to sit
down at table.
The dread Of this pair of appar.
emily harmless figures prevails more
extensively among travelling men.
This fact had forcible illustration
in case which attracted the atten-
tion Of l.. H. Greer, the agent for the
Milwaukee road. He received a con-
signment Of interchangeable mileage
credentials for disposition at his
office. Nearly every one who does
much railroad travelling has equipped
him self with one Of these. Each one
OF the credentials is numbered. Mr..
Greer heard no complaints until he
passed out the 18th one.
The recipient was a knight Of the
grip. Il don't want that book"
said the traveller.
What's the matter?' asked MIR.
Greer.
"See that?' and the man placed
his finger on the figures.
What does that signify?'
You don't suppose I'm going to
carry that around. l wouldn't sell q
bill Of goods in week. and would
likely be killed before month
passed. Not on your tintype."
'Oh, l see," replied the agent.
You are little supersti,ious."
81 must confess l am when it
comes TO that confounded Is. Whv,
do you know, l would put up at the
police sta;i n over night before
would sleep in q hotel room that had
those figures on the door. You
might as we'll burn that book up, for
I'll bet you'll not find anyone who
will take it,"
The travelling man was given an
other ticket case. Agent Greer has
been unable so far to get rid OF that
book, and has come to the conclusion
that the travelling man knew what
he was talking about.
M
Last January Frank Parker and
Harry Hines were convicted in the
Book Island county court of bur-
glarizing the residence of A. Boro in
this city. They were sentenced to
the penitentiary. Parker said he
was q years OF age, while his CON-
pauion claimed ne was %, although
the authorities we're of the opinion
the latter was considerably younger
than he represented himself to be.
Hines displayed traces of refinement.
both in manner and appearance.
Parker bore the look OF a criminal,
and seemed to have absolute control
over his youthful pal.
A few weeks ago States Attorney
Sesrle visited Peoria for the purpose
of satisfying himself as TO the inno-
cence of Pat Ward. who was sent TO
Joliet from here for burglary, being
mistaken for Frank Harvey, alias
"YelloW Henry" a notorious Peoria
character. The states attorney
found the real Harvey, who said he
was brother Of Frank Parker, the
latter having given II fictitious name
in court. Harvey also said that
Harry Hines was not the right name
Of his brothers companion in crime
that ne belonged to prominent Pc
oria family.
The states attorney followed Har-
vcy's directions and found his story
to be true. Hines parents hnd
received previous notification of
their sons downfall The mothe,
was grief stricken and nearly pros
trated from worry and the constant
dread that her boys identity would
become known and his disgrace re-
vealed to the world. She said the
lad was only IS years OF age; that he
had never been in trouble before, and
had always remained at homo uutii
a few weeks previous to his arrest in
Rock Island. when he fell into the
company Of Parker, whom she said
welded en- inexplicsble influence
over him. She implored the state g
attorney to endeavor to have her
boy released from prison.
An investigation of Hines" ca
reer was made by the states at;or-
new, who found his record to be clear
up to the time of his arrest here.
He at once set at wofk to have the
lad released from prison, recon-.
mending his parole by the peniten-
tiary board. and it is expected young
"Hines" will soon be allowed to
return to his homo in Peoria.
"Hines" swore he was OF age in
order that he might accompany his
pal. Parker, to the peuitentisry, for if
he had told the truth he would have
been given reform school sentence.
Good Oid q amy metcaifs
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