davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06
THE WISDOM
OF NICODEMUS.
BY l. H. BCKFORD-
Copyright. 1902. H. BIckford

The Sunrise limited swept past the
lower pasture of Mrs. O'Hearn's Ne
braska farm every afternoon at 3
O'Clock, and Mrs. O'Hearn's dog. Nico-
demus, sailed down to the fence and
barked at it. He was an unlovely ami
NAL of no breeding whatever, a canine
outcast deserted by an emigrant, and
his hostility to all railway movements
was pronounced and even excessive, al
though his best effort and longest run
were reserved for the flying vestibuled
train that came so fleetingly out of the
east and shot by him with contemptu-
Gus roar and Shrek, leaving a black
cloud to hover over the landscape long
after the cause of it had disappeared
from sight and hearing. The seeming
ambition of Nicodemus was to some
day overtake this disturber at a mo-
ment of downspeed when. he no doubt
calculated. he might scale the fence
and cripple it by an attack in some vul-
nerable spot among the little revolving
things that sped it along the rails. In
this hope the dog had made his ener-
The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06

possess the amount I rarely carry
with me any ready money" he added
with a shade of evaporation, as If
Mrs. O'Hearn could have been pre-
viously acquainted with his habit in
that regard.
You can get it," asserted the anna
zon infiexibIy.
again and called out to the engineer:
II say. Hawkins, do you happen to
have any money!"
"A few dollars, sir"
IF the three of you could make up
purse-the thing is absolutely abb
surd, but we cannot remain here ar
guing with this woman. I shall ask
you to loan me $40"
AN 80 cints,' interrupted Mrs.
O'Hearn.
Exactly" acknowledged the Vener-
able Gentleman, although not agree
ably, and 80 cents
There was a search of overalls and
blouses, and, in the moment of sus-
pense, the president considered that it
would not be at all unlikely that the
ridiculous situation would be further
complicated by the discovery that the
combined wealth of the crowd did not
make up the meager sum required. He
was also conscious that Mrs O'Hearn's
"equivylint," even If forthcoming, was
financially small beside the sums ne
would consider it pleasure to spend
on gold watches and other presents for
at least four of his employees. There
are incidents in the lives of railway
presidents that should not become
common gossip, and the Venerable
Gentleman particularly disliked to be
featured in anecdote.
He was consequently relieved when
the balance was Forthcoming, to the
final 10-cent piece, a contribution from
the porter. This, by direction, was
thrown over the fence to be guarded
by Nicodemus. The two bills fluttered
from the hand of the president, and
Mrs. O'Hearn, picking them up, turned
them over carefully. Then she moved
over to the second collection, and, sat
isfied with the accuracy of her count,
and she was not quick at coin values,
called the dog, grasped it by one ear,
and amibled back toward the house
with no concluding word. But she
evidenced her faith by locking Nico-
demus in the barn. whereupon the
Venerable Gentleman descended. When
the dog was released, and shot off
down the pasture to renew the sport
the special had gone. He shifted at the
tree, and, presumably living over the
late adventure in his imagination,
barked in a paroxysm of joy.
The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06

nocent in her sweet Inconsistencies
nthing that touched the yolno
mans innermost heart and brought
once again a mist of tears to his ewes
and Jack swore a mighty vow that
come what might, never again would
he fail in love or duty to the woman
who had trusted him and whose han
piness and honor were in his hands.
long time he sat there, lost in Thought
deeper, Sweeter, more serious, than he
had ever known before, but troubled
too withal, for the burden was upon
him to set right the unintentionaI
wrong he had wrought.
At last the thought of old Ned An
pleby flashed upon him like an inspir-
ation-why hadn't he thought of Ned
sooner; people always told their trou-
bles to old Ned-who was not old at
all-and he always Strengthened mat
ters out somehow. So slipping out
while Maisie slept Jack hunted up
"old Ned" and poured out the whole
story-omitting, however, to mention
the intended divorce.
And, of course, 'old Ned used lit
tie common sense, promptly invstiga-
ted the parsons" record, and found
that he was a clergyman after all,
though long since without a charge,
and sore disgrace to his calling
Even a policeman may be mistaken
sometimes.
Out on ''The Heights is charming
new home, where Mr.. Jack Cartons
chatting dish suppers are. the delight
and terror of his friends, and Mrs
Jacks chrysanthemums the pride of
her heart; where Maisie is fast learn
ing to keep her temper and Jack has
forgotten all about the club.
The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06
CURES
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POISON
Cancers, PimpleS, Ulcers,
Eating Sores, Bone
Pains, Etc.
The RemedyISSent Absolutely
Free to Every Man or
Woman Sending Name y
and Address.

Send no money, simply write and
etry Botanic Blood Balm at our expense
1t will cure the worst case of blood
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springs, doctors and patent medicines
fail.
If you have offensive pimples or erup-
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aching bones or joints, falling hair,
mucous patches, swollen glands, skin
itches and burns, sore lips or gums,
eating, fostering sores, sharp, gnaw-
ing pains, then you suffer from serious
blood poison or the beginnings of dead
ly cancer. Botanic Blood Balm kills
the poison in the blood which causes
these awful indications of blood poi
son, heals every sore, pimple or ulcer,
makes the blood pure and rich, giving
the skin the rich glow of perfect
health. Thousands and thousands of
the most deep-seated cases, even
where the flesh was a mass of boils
and eruptions have been perfectly
cured by taking Botanic Blood Balm,
which is composed of pure botanic
ingredients and has been thoroughly
tested for thirty years. Sold at drug
stores, 81 per large bottle, with COM
plete directions for home cure. To
prove it cures a sample of B. B. B. alb
solutely free. Simply write and med
icine win be sent at once prepaid. De-
scribe your trouble and special conf
letter. Don't hesitate to write. as
trial of our Blood Balm is our best ref
erenee. Address Blood Balm Co, 15s
The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06

truce with the lady. but each week a
new bill was presented with it's ac-
emulation of figures together with
verbal expressions Of disregard for the
president of the company and his lax
methods of business. During the in
term and while on her own acres, Mrs.
O'Hearn had melted her watch dog to
manifestations of violence as, in dumb
show, she shook one very red fist In
the direction of each passing train.
Quick to observe and with the rare
wisdom of the dog, N!codemus con-
ceived that loyalty to his mistress de-
manded some outward expression on
his own part, and that these noisy
and disturbing monsters, hitherto I'M
noticed, were by some process of rea-
soning considered enemies to the house.
And he, too. missed the cow, for her
absence left nothing in particular to
be barked at.
At first the efforts of Nicodemus
amused the freight crews, who threw
humps of coal at him. This was to the
advantage of Mrs. OHearn, since coal
was a luxury, and the daily perform
ance resulted in a small measure of the
precious fuel to add to her store of
wood. She began to wish, indeed. that
the attention of the passenger engin-
GERS might be equally attracted and
The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06

plation of the simplicity of natures
wonders.
Nicodemus came into action by a
spring in the air, shrill bark and a
series of contortions that brought his
launches almost to his chin. When he
felt the ground after the first flight he
had made two yards, and his hair
swept the wind as he rushed on. Here,
in his dogs comprehension, was some
thing tangible, something not only to
bark at, but to bite. The Venerable
Gentleman dropped the flowers he had
gathered and turned unsteadily to the
fence, but made such poor progress
that Nicodemus, with terribly gleam-
ing teeth and a bounce like a kanga-
roo. ran into his legs. There was then
a fall of dog and man, with a singu-
larly active display of man, consider
ing age and lack of recent athletic
training, and as the. Venerable Cen
tleman came upright he did the only
thing that seemed to his bewildered
mind of rational purpose. The fence
was still great way off, and the speed
of the dog had impelled that animal on
few feet, but he was even now re-
Yersing himself. Nearer than the fence
branched a tree. Two comforting
knobs, within easy reach, projected
from the trunk. And before he qnite
knew how he did it, the Venerable Cen
tleman, with amazing agility, was seat
ing himself on a lower branch of the
tree, while the dog was making earn
est and savage efforts to reach his
dangling legs.
The man breathed heavily, and in a
spirit of Cancellation snapped his fin
gers childishly, smacked his lips and
assured Nicodemus that he was a good
and a sweet and an altogether estim-
able doggie, in none of which compli
ments did the Venerable Gentleman
actually believe, nor did the dog ac
cept them. Contrarily, and knowing
The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06

that the pantomime and expressions of
this stranger were intended in effect,
to be friendly, the miserable animal,
pleased that he had freed the victim
who, for all the dog knew, was the
very person who had formerly thrown
coal at him, took these manifestations
as signs of rage, and when the pris-
oner dropped a handkerchief he seized
and shook it VIGOROUSLY.
The incident naturally served to in
terest the men at the car wheels. They
came to the fence in a body, calling out
to the dog to desist, and one. drawer
than his fellows, mounted the rails in
an effort to distract Nicodemus from
his prey. He put one foot down on
the opposite side as If he would come
into the pasture. 1t was withdrawn
almost on the instant, for the dog, now
animated by a desire to engage all
corners, sprang at the would-be intrud-
er and his white teeth closed on a
boot heel. The man of courage giving
way to reasonable profanity, fell back
into the arms of his companions. The
three stood in doubt and conference.
but made no new move, while Nicode-
mus returned to guard the tree with,
now and then, sudden sportive excur-
sions in their direction. Thus, with
tail wagging he kept alert, while sug-
gestions passed from the venerable
gentleman to his distant companions.
Something was said of firearms, but
none appeared, and after the engineer
had for some minutes poked a long
iron rod through the fence to be growI-
ed at by the beast, pacific overtures
were renewed and there was more
swapping of fingers, calls and whistles.
The porter on the car came forth to
view proceedings. but was equally
vague in suggestions, although he re-
ferred to hot water.
Into this excitement, after some min
utes, came Mrs. O'Hearn, her arms
barred to the elbows. and a rolling pin
in one hand. She waddled down, red
The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06
JACKS OPPORTUNITY
The Sequel of a Mad Love Affair,
Secret Marriage and a Suggested
Divorce Suit.
Margaret Buchanan Yeates.

Divorce Suit.
Margaret Buchanan Yeates.
well, it's all over at last and l am
glad of it," growled Jack Carlton, his
face growing more like thundercloud
at every step. Jack was striding down
Fourteenth street as fast as his long
legs would carry MIN, his hat pulled
low over his eyes, his hands thrust
deep in his trousers pockets, and Bit
ter anger burning in his heart.
who on earth would have dreamed
that Maisie had such a temper" and
Jack swore softly to himself at the rec
objection of his recent encounter with
hot headed little Maisie, and longed
angrily for the freedom that was soon
to be his again.
For Jack Carlton was celebra ting the
first anniversary of his marriage by
rushing down town to hunt up his law
yer and arrange for a divorce. "lncom-
patibility'' was the reason therefor
and Mrs. Jack the applicant-"But you
may bring suit yourself for cruelty If
you want to. and tell 'em 1 beat you"
had been Maisie parting shot that
morning.
So. as Jack said, it was all over, and
it had come to an end tragically soon,
even in these days of swiftly passing
events.
The young couple had met at quiet
summer resort last season, and had
proceeded at once to fall madly in love
with each other There had been
brief, rather tropical engagement, end
ing unexpectedly in a foolish secret
marriage-this last suggested and ar
ranged by a solemn-faced parson at
Jacks hotel, who very accommodating
ly performed the ceremony and lugu-
briously pocketed Jacks munificent
fee-and young people, nothing loath,
found themselves married before they
had time to realize the gravity of the
situation.
Then had followed a blissful honey
moon, a gay return to Washington, a
home in a fashionable boarding house,
happiness, ennui, tears, kisses, quar-
rels, quarrels again and fewer kisses
until finally life together seemed in
tolerable to both of them. The people
at the boarding house too had taken
a hand in the affair, and altogether
the first anniversary found things in
bad shape. with a divorce suit loom
ing up in the near future.
OF course, both were to blame; Jack
had been very popular with the club
fellows and everybody else, and he
The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06

that their resentment might take the
same form. After a time, however, and
from long familiarity, the sport ceased
to interest the passing trainmen, and
but for an occasional missile the dog
barked without purpose, although he
never relaxed his endeavors. The flight
of time brought no spirit of charity to
overcast the bitterness of Mrs.
O'Hearn. And it was quite by way of
coincidence that on the day she had
prepared her weekly statement--which
now had 81 so added to the principal
something entirely unusual in railway
equipment should engage. although
tardily, the attention of Nice
demus. This was an abbreviated
edition of the despised Flyer" for
the engine drew but two cars. the last
a wonder of luxurious construction and
painted so high a yellow that it Wed
with the ripe corn in the fields through
which it passed. 1t was a still sum-
mer day and the special came into
view without the knowledge of the dog,
who now knew the time tables with
amazing accuracy. and was conse-
quently off guard at this unexpected
advent. His slumber was interrupted
by voices that fioated up from the
pasture and he arose and scented the
air. Inen ne StrOlIed TO the corner
of the barn, and with head cooked up
to one side viewed that which amazed
him greatly.
The train had stopped and around
one of the sets of wheels stood three
men variously engaged in drawing
smoking cotton from an aperture. polk
ing it about with a stick or dousing
water upon the steaming mass. A Ven
cradle Gentleman, who had descended
from the gorgeous car to watch the
operation, finally strolled over to the
fence, and attracted by some wild
blossoms, somewhat awkwardly scaled
the barrier and ambled pleasantly
about the green fields, lost in contem-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-19

the council with a plan for the i'm
provement OF Longview park, but he
was formally notified by Aid. Me
Casbrin, of the parks committee, that
another landscape architect had been
employed.
a petition from Louis Mosenfelder
for the privilege of putting water
mains in the new additions being
opened east of Twelfth street was re-
ferred to the waterworks committee.
The council accepted invitations
from the Tri-City Labor congress to
attend the Labor day celebration in
Davenport Sept. /, and one to the
Volunteer Firemen's tournament in
Davenport Sept. 3.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-19
CITY PAYS THE BILLS.
But Will in Turn Sue County for
Expenses Attending Small
pox Cases.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT Is sse92l
John Lindberg Asks Damages for
Drowning OF His Two
Sons.

The city council last evening adop
ted the recommendation of the fl
nance committee to pay all the small
puX bills incurred during last winter
and then proceed to collect the
amount from the county. The bills
recommended and ordered paid
amounted to $S69.21, and include ev-
erything except the hire of the
guards and $12O already paid for
nursing at the pest house. The latter
bill has already been paid, but an at
tempt Will be made to compel the
county to- stand for that also. \ res
olution introduced by AID. Anderson
from the finance committee was
adopted instructing the city attorney
to proceed at law for the collection
of the amount indicated from the
county.
\ letter was received from John
Lindberg. whose two sons were
drowned July in the pond above
Thirty-cighth street and Tenth ave
nue. conveying the information that
the city was held in measure re-
spensible for allowing the water to
accumulate in the pond. MIR.
Lindberg stated that he believed he
was entitled to some consideration
in the premises and asked that the
matter be Investigated. The letter
was referred to the claims commit
tee and the city attorney.
Protest Against Alley.
When the recommendation of the
board of local improvements for the
opening of an alley in block -. Chi
ca"o or Lower addition, was brought
up. there was also presented a pro-
test against the undertaking signed
by David Anderson, Mrs Emile \.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-19
SPEAKERS SECURED FOR
SHERRARD LABOR PICNIC

The arrangements Tor the Dig
Labor day celebration in Sherrard
Sept. ] are well under way and it prom
Uses to be one of the largest events
ever held in Sherrard. Judging from
the number of speakers that have
been engaged they certainly ought to
make things hum. The following is
the list of speakers: Charles X.
Ladd. of Kewanee; w. \. Meese. of
Moline; George y. Cooke, of Aledo;
+. G. Berry, of Rock Island, and j. Il.
Wilson, of Danville. An Industrial
parade at $3.50 will take the crowd to
the grounds, where all kinds of mer-
ry-making will be INDUCED in
throughout the day.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-19
INTEREST is GROWING
Instructive and Helpful Sermons
Heard at Methodist Camp
Meeting.
ACCOMMODATIONS ARE THE BEST
Number of Ministers From Rock Is
land and Vicinity on
the Ground.

Camp Ground, Tindall's Grove, Aug.
lS-Oncc again the music of the ham
mer, the buzzing of the hornet, the
singing of the cricket and the chat
ting of the bushy-tailed squirrel are
heard in the shady grove.
The numerous rains of the summer
have made vegetation spring forth
ana blossom as the rose" the quiet
rocking To and fro of the Ieafy
branches brings the sweet lullaby of
our youth to our minds.
The executive committee has done
its best to make everything comfort
able for the campers. The well is in
operation and fresh water floweth
freely. The boarding hall. under the
management of EXstrom d Higgins,
of Reynolds, is indeed thing of
beauty and JOY for Il week. The
neatly laid tables and well arranged
shelves indeed look inviting. They
are fully equipped to serve meals TO
the many who may come for the day
or week. Hacks run daily from Mi
Ian, the charge being p cents.
First Sermon OF Meeting.
The first sermon of the camp meet
ing was preached by Rev. J. ). Me
Cowan. of Toulon. The theme of his
text was CONSIDERATION" Rev. Nc
Cowan was at one time Il very. sue
ceSsful teacher in the public schools
at Orion. afterNard a minister ON
different charges in this district. His
only son, Chester, ii graduate of the
Wesleyan university. and who was
such help to the meeting of last
year. sailed from the harbor of San
Francisco for Calcutta at the same
time his father, Rev. j. :. MCGOWAN.
was preaching the first sermon of the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-19
Dysentery Cured without the Aid of Doe

tor.
Il am just up from Il hard spell of
fuX" (dysentery) says II. y. Primer,
a well known merchant of Drum
mond, Tenn. Il used one small bot
tie of Chamberlain's Collie, Cholera
and DiarrhOea Remedy and was cur
ed without having n doctor, i con-
slider it the best cholera medicine in
the world" There is no need of EN-
ploying a doctor when this remedy is
used, for no doctor can prescribe a
better medicine for bowel complaint
in any form either for children or
adults. 1t never fails and is pleasant
to take. For sale by all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-19
Quick Relief for Asthma sufferers.

Foley's Honey and Tar affords i'm
mediate relief to asthma sufferers in
the worst stages and if taken in time
will effect a cure. All druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-19

come from Indigestion Burducl
Blood Bitters strengthens and tones
the stomach; makes Indigestion i'm
possible.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-19

Osterman. Mrs. Judith Melgrin and
Chris Anderson. The protest was
placed on file, the recommendation
of the board adopted and the city
attorney was instructed to go ahead
/ with the condemnation proceedings.
Several stormy sessions have been
held over the proposed alley and it
seems probable that others are due
| before the matter finally carries.
The condition of streets brought
about by the rains was a fruitful
source of business. Upon the matter
being brought up Mayor Knox prom
Used to see that Mill street west from
the crossing of the C., II. I. d p.
tracks to the plant of the Table Oil
cloth company is improved. The
| thoFoughfare is in Il very bad condi-
ton now and great deal of heavy
hauling is being done over il. The
Tri-City Construction company had a
proposal in for the repairing of the
pavement ON the Twenty-second
street hill. and it was referred to the
mayor and street and alley commit
tee to report. y petition from the
Lancashire-M Marshall Organ company
to have Third avenue between Forty
fourth and Forty-fifth streets put in
passable condition was referred to
the street and alley committee and
the aldermen of the Seventh ward,
with power to act. Upon the mayors
recommendation the street commits
sioner was instructed to fill holes in
upper Twenty-fifth street. y resolu-
tion from. Aid. Eckhart was adopted
reminding the Tri-City Railway com
pany of the resolution previously
passed for the elevation of the tracks
at Eleventh street and Seventh ave
nue. to grade. Aid. Willis called~at
tcntion to the condition of Seven
teenth street hin and AID. Solder
Strom to the need of drainage on
Fourteenth avenue near Thirty-first
street. and both were ordered at
tended TO.
Authorize Building of Switch.
An ordinance authorizing the con-
struction by ii. ID. Mack of Il switch
track from the Burlington tracks
across Twenty-second street to tap
his lot north of Third avenue was
adopted.
Bids for the installing of n heating
plant in the central hose house were
referred to the fire and light COM
mittee to report.
j. X. Waters, of Moline, was before