Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-09-25
DAILY SHORT STORY
A PRESERVATION off the Boards
[OriginaI.J


and canes, stepped briskly into a ho-
tel His face was cleanly shaver, and
he was dressed in a new suit of Scotch
tweed with a figure like a checker
board. From this description he may
easily be recognized as belonging to
the dramatic profession. At the coun-
ter lie swung the register around,
seized Il pen and entered his name as
John Oyeraker.
LET me have a blank check" said
the gentleman.
The clerk handed him the desired ar
ticle and Mr.. Overaker filed it out on
New York bank for $50. Handing 1t
to the clerk, he stood as though expect
ing the money. The clerk hesitated.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Overaker.' said the
clerk. that we deposited in bank near
ly all our cash today. If you can wait
awhile, III be happy to accommodate
you
ANY time" said the gentleman. 81
may not need it till late this evening"
He then turned and followed the
bellboy to his. room. In half an hour
he descended to the dining room, from
which he emerged a few minutes be-
fore s o'clock. He was about to leave
the hotel when the clerk called to him:
Il have the money for your check
now. Will you kindly step into the Of
fee a momentT'
Why he was asked into the office
Mr.. Overaker could not understand.
Nevertheless he stepped through door
beside the counter and found himself
in small room with two men in police
uniform.
MIR. Overaker," said one of them,
what does this mean?" asked the
gentleman, astonished.
Answer my question"
Yes; have. Do you want to exam
inc my private correspondence?
81 would like TO look at the address,"
Mr.. Overaker took half a dozen let
tiers from his pocket and handed them
to the officer. who looked at them, then
looked at Mr.. Overaker, then put the
letters in his pocket. From another
pocket he drew n photograph, which he
studied carefully, after which he made
similar study of the features of Mr..
Overaker.
Pat DOolan," he said, 'alias Handy
Jim, we've been looking for you for
fidence man in the business. This job.
however, is so barefaced. so easy of
detection. that l am astonished. You
not only impersonate man well
known in this town. but when asked
to identify yourself as him you hand
out letters addressed to another man.
This photograph from the rogues' gal
lery was evidently taken when you
sion is less hardened
MIR. Policeman" said the accused
man, with a queer look in his eye.
don't you think I'm Mt least entitled
to the money on the check I've
drawn?"
Il think you'll come along with me-"
"Not just now, if you please. There
are a thousand people waiting for that
hardened face of mine. After they're
through with me I'll devote myself to
YOU
Before you see them you'll be back
in familiar quarters-a CELL
"Who are you anyway
Inspector Gallagher"
At that moment there was a violent
ring at the telephone bell, which was
answered by the clerk, who had been
a locker on.
'Well?"
ais this G.'s hotel?" f;s.
Eyes"
'Is Walter Courtney there"
mo such person stopping here"
Eyes; there is. Start your boys
around at once to find out what's the
matter with him.
81 tell you he's not here
"And tell you he is. We're waiting
for him."
who's waiting for him?"
"Why, the company at the theater."
"What theater?"
At the word theater Mr.. Overaker
pricked up his ears.
BIS theater. Perhaps he's regis
tered under another name. He is an
absentminded man and gets mixed
with the characters he plays"
What character does he play to-
night?'
John Overaker in The Shortest
Way There"
by thunderl''
Meanwhile the policemen were about
to take away the suspect when the
clerk stopped them and told them to
wait bit. After hearing the last
words he dropped the receiver and said
to Mr.. Overaker:
Are you Walter Courtney?"
"Of course am"
"Then why the dickens have you
been personating John Overaker"
Mr.. Courtney for the first time saw
his blunder.
Because" he replied, with a twin
kle in his eye, I'm an actor"
Front" called the clerk wildly, "call
carriage and be quick about it. Mr..
Courtney. I'm very sorry that you have
been Inconvenience" Then. going to
the safe. he clutched five ten dollar
bills and brought them to the actor.
"CarriageY' called the bellboy.