Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-12-06
On the Rivers
Brin & IS
BY ELIAS Isle
Copyright, 1901, by Il. s. Richardson

w nat dld you nave to go and pick
out this pier for?" complained the
Waterman. You're only making me
trouble
Man is born to trouble as the sparks
fly upward" quoted the man. This
was the nearest one" he added. He
was painting a little.
You'd never got a-past me if-if''-
IF you hadn't been taking a 1.-THE
nap" suggested the man. We'll, it's a
good night for"-he paused, glancing
down at the dark river, silvered over
with the waVy radiance of the moon
light-'for sleep"
The Waterman shuddered. You amt
really going to do it, he said entreat-
ingly and edged forward. The conf
pany which employed him was opposed
to suicides off its piers.
Don't come any nearer now"
warned the man, unless you want to
hurry me-
There was n long silence, accentuated
by the nervous putting of belated tug
far out on the river and the s!apping of
the little waves against the pierhead.
The man was leaning against pile at
the extreme end of the pier. Within
fast, upreared its dark hulk If some
one would only reach out of portfolio
and seize him was the wild hope of the
Waterman. The man Strengthened up
and stretched himself
Pardon this natural hesitation" he
said lightly. 1T is time 1 went"
Hold on,' cried the Waterman.
"Don't-dOn't-don' be in a hurry 1t
was the best he could do ON the spur of
the moment The man laughed, but he
paused. Desperately the watchman
CROPPED for something-anything to say
But the power of light and genial con-
versation. which is special gift of
those who watch by night, had gone
from him.
What do you want to do it for, any
way?" he finally burst out.
I'm justifiable suicide" replied the
man.
"a what?" This was beyond the
watchman's ken.
a justifable suicide. You've heard
of justifiable homicide, haven't you?
Well, I'm a justifiable suicide. have
Il right to kill myself"
Not off'n this pier" said the watch
man, with conviction.
Nobody will know where 1 jumped
in unless you tell them. The current
will carry the body away"
Don't talk that way" besought the
Waterman, sitting down heavily on the
of the pier. fl don't like
it,"
I'm glad to see you sit down." OBJ
served the man, because now 1 need
not watch you so closely for fear you
might make a rush. If you did''-he
glanced again at the swift water
''we'd both go. and 1 wouldn't like to
take you from steady job"
The Waterman caught at the last
words. Maybe you're out of work. If
it's that, know Il job L might get you
tomorrow
ST don't reckon 1 shall be candidate
for any job tomorrow, thank YOU" said
the man grimly.
"Oht' said the Waterman blankIy.
Obviously he had got on the wrong
track. He tried another. IF it's from
being broke
THAT reminds me- interrupted the
other. He pulled Il handful OF bills out
of his pocket and laid them on plank.
''There are several dollars there. I
snail not need them where I'm going.
The money may be of some use to you
if you don't mind using a dead mans
wealth."
at wouldn't hardly be lucky, would
IT.? faltered the Waterman.
"MOst people aren't so squeamish
about legacies. Don't worry; 1 won't
haunt YOU
Maybe it's Il woman that's the trou-
ble," pursued the Waterman desperate
", having struck another trail. But
you've got right to wait and see how
It turns out. l knew a Dutchman that |
lived in the same house with me, and |
the lady he was keeping company with |
threw him down. He turned on the |
gas, but somebody turned it off again. |
Say, in three months he was so stuck |
On another lady that he was talking |
about killing himself again" |
Curious people, the Germans" re-
marked the man absently.
The bafIied Waterman rubbed his
head painfully and patiently tried
again. IF it's sickness that's driving
you to it, you don't want to be too quick
about it, cause you can't never tell.
Like as not it amt as bad as you think.
There was a friend of my brothers in
he grocery business shot himself on
account of not having good health, and
he autopsy showed that he could have
1een fixed all right if he had went to
good doctor"
I'm well enough in body" said the
nan shortly.
'You don't talk like a man that's era
~" ventured the Waterman.
mo? That's surprising, all things
remarked the man bitter.
y.
"Say, pardner," said the Waterman
eff you're bound to go you
night as well tell me who you are and
what you're doing it for. It'd save a
- - +,o,,bIo 70 fl,a ,oroDar