Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-12
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
A CHANCE
MEETING


concluded TO give free rein to his am
bition to be tough and sent him TO New
Mexico.
Several years passed, and. though
reports came that Johnny was making
himself at home where the revolver
was the only law, it did not appear
that he had ever attached himself TO
any lawless gang. Indeed his princi-
pal amusement was in hunting out
desperadoes, as gentlemanly huntsmen
would choose the fox, and handing
them over to be dealt with by the
courts. AS time went on Johnny's
mother found it more difficult to bear
the separation from her darling, and it
was finally arranged that he should
come home for n visit. He came, much
to the surprise of his family, in n gen.
tlemanly suit of clothes.
Now, ii happened that while Johnny
was ut home the city was being also
visited by Gentleman Jim. one of those
burglars who leave facetiOus messages
at houses they enter. pinned TO the
curtain or cushion. The Martins
with others, went to bed every night
terrified lest the house should be en-
tered and Mrs. Martin, who was in del
icate health. be frightened to death.
As to the burglary. their fears were
realized. Gentleman Jim sawed hole
in the back door. turned the key, shot
the bolt and entered. Not finding any
thing of value on the lower floor. he
concluded to go up stairs and inquire
for the silver at the point of the pistol.
He was putting his foot on the first
step of the staircase when he conclud-
ed to flash his lantern upward to see If
the way was clear. The bullseye
struck full in the face of Johnny Mar
tin leaning over corner of the banis-
ter holding n huge revolver pointed di-
rectly ut the intruder.
Put your revolver on the stairs"
said Johnny in n whisper. Don't make
a noise
Gentleman Jim was desperate char
acter, and he held his weapon in his
right hand, but he knew that before he
could raise it the man up stairs could
make hole in his brain. There was
another reason for his action, which
was to appear later OH. He placed his
revolver where lie was ordered as soft
~ as if he feared to wake the baby.
Johnny. still covering him, went part
way down stairs.
'Go into the dining ROOM" he ordered
in the same low voice. When they
were both there, Johnny directed his
visitor to light the gas. then to take off
his mask The stranger hesitated,
whereupon Johnny enforced the order
by raising his revolver. and the mask
was removed Johnny started.
Ill 4 r1raF.f hi 10 mil
acle," he muttered. Jim Smalls, how
did you happen in this community? l
thought had you safely landed in Jail
in New Mexico"
Broke loose"
"And to think that you should run up
against me in this fashion! What a
small world it is after all."
WHAT are you going to do with me,
Johnny"
Don't speak so loud. l wouldn't have
you waken my mother for ranch.
fancy there is a large reward offered
for your capture, and as my trip to the
east is expensive l suppose | might as
we'll secure the amount. What do they
offer for you. Jim? Don't lie about it.
1 can telegraph and find out"
Its big one this time-$5.000."
"Whewl That is big one. You've
been working this vicinity for some
time and have a lot of swag, l pre-
sumo"
"a hull cellar full of silver"
"Where is the cellarT'
"AIake it an object, and I'll tell"
"What objectT'
''Let me off,"
Johnny sat down on the arm of a
chair and rested his revolver on the
dining table. The weapon was heavy,
and his arm was getting tired. He
knew that his man was quick as a
flash and though unarmed, if given 4
second of time would make dash.
"Jim," he said presently, If it hadn't
been for me. that mob would have got
you"
$50 they would, Johnny"
"And it would have been all over
with you"
Reckon I'd "a swung"
well. don't you think one good turn
deserves another? / landed you safe
in Jail in spite of the mob. The silver
you've got won't do you any good; bet
ter tell me where it's hid"
'Do you want both the reward and
the silver?'
81 want the silver for the owners"
Johnny, on one condition I'll go you.
I've got n good wife in Arizona. She
was unlucky enough to marry me. and
I'd like to do suthin fur her. Now,
know you. Johnny, and what you say
you'll do. Give her the reward, and
I'll tell ALL"
"Done. I'll do better than that.
Promise me to go back to her and live
an honest life, and you can go scot
free"
The next morning Johnny Martin.
while stumbling about in n cellar en-
tered from an alley, came upon silver
teapot. Calling the police, treasure
was found. which was distributed
among its owners.
A few years later Johnny visited the
Smalls in Arizona and found Gentle