Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-06

is Ills eHeSISuI SOou! dSheu one VI
the party.
Not very"
''Then ignore him."
The senior Handyside, seeing a party
of young people approaching, drew off
to the side of the road and waited for
them TO pass. Unfortunately at the
moment of meeting a teamster must
needs get in Tracy's way, so that he
was obliged to draw rein. He did not
notice his father. although the old man
shouted in angered tones:
Tracy"
Finally the son turned his eyes in his
fathers direction.
"What do you mean? Upon my
word
You are mistaken in your man, sir,
prise.
''AIistaken! You young rascaln'
Whom do you take me for?"
''Take you for? Why, Tracy Handy
side, my son! Do you have the effron-
terry to-
Haven't the honor of his acquaint-
ance. I'm sorry 1 can't take time to
prove your error, sir. but I've a party
aboard and got to make q twenty mile
tour and get back to dinner"
With this he gave the wheelers the
lash, tipped the leaders and left the
old gentleman aghast between his
sons effrontery and a terror lest his
eyesight had gone back on him. Tracy
drove out of sight. then called con-
sultation in which it was suggested
that his father would drive to college,
learn that his son was not there-pos-
sibly that he was driving four-in-hand
and Tracy's position would be some
thing terrible.
Il am sorry to mar the pleasure of
our drive" said Tracy, but father
will go right past the stable, where
he'll likely stop to ask questions; then
to my room. l must coach the stable
men and be at my room when the gov
ernor calls"
After discussion as to the means of
doing this, it was finally determined
that Tracy should take one of the lead
ers and gallop back by a roundabout
road and, by quicker pace, forestall
his father. The horse was taken out
and Invested of all harness except the
bride. Tracy mounted and was soon
tearing back to college. Half an hour
later he dashed up to the stable from
which he had got his team, coached
the proprietors and in a few minutes
more was in his room behind q fortifi-
cation of books.
Meanwhile the elder Handyside drove
into the town and, passing a stable,
drew rein and called for the owner.
ID T.. III,
ernoon?' he asked.
Eyes, sir
ITO whom?"
'Mr. Willard Stokes"
Are you sure it wasn't Handyside?"
'Handyside? Don't know him.
The old gentleman was not convinc
ed. He had had evidence before that
his sons creditors would stand by him
to the bitter end, and nothing would
satisfy him but to go straight to his
sons room. He tried the door and
found it locked. After a few vigorous
knocks he was about to turn away
when he heard voice inside say:
Get QUIT I'm boning for exam"
Tracy" cried the astonished father,
''let me in"
The latch flew back, and Tracy stood
at the door and folded his parent in
his arms.
"Why father, what brings you here?
Nothing wrong at home, trust"
MY boy" gasped the old man, sink
ing into a chair, my eyesight is giving
way"
What makes you think so. father?"
asked Tracy. with anxiety depicted on
every feature.
why. coming up the road l met
man driving a four-in-hand whom l
would have sworn was you"
what does he look like. father?'
Look like? Why, he looks like you"
did he have on a cream colored
driving coat?"
Yes, I believe he had"
silk hat?"
Yes"
High black and red coach with yell
low wheels?"
why. 1 suppose so. l didn't notice"
Don't give yourself any trouble.
pop. Your eyes are all right. That's
the fellow I've heard so much about
lately. He lives over in Kenwood.
They call him my double"
''Is his name Stokes 2"
That's the man-Stokes. l wish
he'd leave the country. He's wild fell
low, and I'm always getting the credit
Of his scrapes."
''TTacy, that II do for Mr.. Stokes.
I've come over to talk over a family
matter with you