Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-09-06
a MAN
OF GALL
Copyright. 1902. by C. B. Lewis.l

terest in other peoples business was
only equaled by his disinterestedness
in his own affairs. His next most
prominent trait was persistence. Once
let him get an idea of Obliging friend
into his head and he would stick like
an adhesive plaster.
John Ford was in the burglar alarm
business. 1 had no sooner met him
than he proposed to connect me with
the nearest engine house and police
station. 1 managed to shake him or,
but the next night stumbled over him
lying in the grass on my grounds. He
made up n cock and bull story about
seeing a light in the bushes and felt 1T
his duty to investigate, ending with,
Lets go into the house and have
something to drink and smoke"
L meant TO take that man by the
neck and heels and throw him over
the fence, but 1 didn't. 1 went in and
drank and smoked with him instead.
His monumental gall dazed me and
made me subservient.
was hardly clear of its influence
next day when l went to my safe to
consult memorandum. In doing so
moved n bundle of legal papers in
trusted to my care by friend. and all
of n sudden my suspicious were
aroused against Mr.. Ford. Those pa
pers represented Il bitter legal fight
wherein a large amount of property
was involved. Was Mr.. Ford's mis-
sion to get possession of them? After
an hours reflection 1 decided that it
was. 1 did not rush off to the police
after coming to this conclusion, nor
did 1 hire men to guard the house. L
simply took the papers to Il safe de-
post vault and then bought bear
trap. This trap 1 set directly in front
of the safe, which stood in Il recess in
the wall, and the chain was padlocked
to leg of it, / had a feeling that Mr..
Ford would return. Not only would
he return to the grounds, but effect en-
trance to the house in hopes TO get
into the safe. Even after seven days
and nights had passed that beartrap
yawned for him, and L did not weary
of well doing.
1t was on the eighth night that the
man of gall arrived. 1t was half an
hour after midnight when he forced
open one of the French windows and
entered the library. He knew the lay
of things. He Steered straight course
for that safe and put his foot into the
trap as he was about to sink on his
knees before the door. There was one
| yell and no more, but in response to it
James and 1 dressed and came down.
| Mr.. Ford was present. He was seated
on the floor, with the jaws of the trap
fast about his left leg, and he was not
| looking happy.
Good evening. Mr.. Ford" I said as
1 set the lamp down and took a chair
in front of him.
"My dear boy he replied as he
worked up a smile, ''if 1 have disturbed
you at this unseemly hour 1 am sim
cerely sorry for it,
'Oh, not at all"
Being victim of insomnia and be-
| ing extra wakeful at night, 1 strolled
this way, hoping to find you up and
have little chat with you
Exactly And not finding me up
81 took the liberty of entering to get
glass of sherry and one of your ci-
gars. If you think 1 displayed too
much zeal, 1 can only beg your par
don. 1 have felt at home here ever
since the first day. you know"
You are certainly welcome" 1 re-
Piled. did you find what you want
ed?"
Not exactly"
james, n glass of wine and n cigar
for Mr. Ford, and you may retire. An
other glass. Mr.. Ford? Then 1 will
smoke with you. So you are troubled
with insomnia? 2"
| 81 have been for months. know of
nothing to shatter the nerves quicker.
That sherry of yours is excellent"
Eyes. it is called fair
"And these cigars have no superior"
''rhanks."
| knew the man to be suffering ago
MES, but the only sign he betrayed
was the perspiration on his forehead
He leaned on his elbow and pulled
away as if in q Iounging chair, and for
half an hour we conversed on various
topics. Then admiration for his nerve
and pity for his sufferings got the bet
ter of me, and l said:
Il beg pardon, Mr.. Ford, but you
seem to have a queer attachment to
your leg there. Does il make you
uncomfortableT
''Well, slightly so; but don't trouble
! yourself"
Indeed, but you must permit me.
Let me also throw open the door of the
safe and call your attention to the
fact that the papers concerning the
case of Robbins versus Jones are here
no longer l will call James"
When James came in answer, we
pried the jaws of the beartrap open
and assisted Mr.. Ford to a chair. He
occupied it for a quarter of an hour
before observing that he felt a bit
sleepy and would return to his lodg-
ings.
81 trust your call has been pleasant
sne," said as / assisted him to hobble
to the door.
| ssYnr, haro Loft nothing 11ndone'' he