Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-16


$50 your father insists upon your
marrying the big soldier. Lisa?" said
the doctor.
HE does.'
"And you wish to marry that pale
faced boy, Hans. who dreams and
writes versesY'
81 love him.
"Well, my child, I must see what
can do for you
The next morning Colonel Visher
Lisa's father, received a call from the
doctor.
II came to see you about your daugh-
ter" said the latter. "She has no dis
ease, and yet her health is not good.
Some mental trouble is wearing on
her"
Yes; she wantssto marry that miser-
able poet, while l want her to marry
thorough man.
You, being a soldier. think all the
bravery is among military men. This
poet may have more courage in that
frail body of his than your major"
IF thought that 1 would give Lisa
TO Hans
"Why not put the two men to a
test?''
Il am agreeable to that"
"And give Lisa to the one that stands
it the better"
Then she will go to the major. But
what test would you suggest, doctor?"
Leave that to me. / will think of
some plan. Come to my Office at this
hour tomorrow, and l will summon
both the suitors to meet you there"
VERY well. L will do as you say.
But you do not seem to understand
that Il soldier is trained to disregard
danger, and the major will win"
"We shall see"
The next day Hans reached the doc
tors office a few minutes before the
others, the doctor having summoned
him a little earlier than they.
Hans said the doctor, when was
a boy loved little girl. There is no
passion in childhood love; it is abso-
lutely pure. l wish you to construct
poem describing this love stealing over
me while 1 was sitting with my little
girl one summer evening watching the
sun set
81 will do so tomorrow. But why
have you sent for me- doctor?"
Begin the construction of the poem
at once 1t must be finished within an
hour If it is successful Lisa may be
yours"
How so?" asked the boy, wondering
how a poem could produce such re-
suit.
ASK no questions, but do as 1 tell
you
Hans threw himself back into an
easy chair and in Imagination became
a boy sitting beside his child love
watching a beautiful sunset. Colonel
Visher came in with the major. The
colonel cast a contemptuous glance at
the poet. who sat staring at the new
Corners with his great black eyes. The
major, a fine looking fellow, with a
strong face and military bearing,
looked about him wonderingly. The
doctor brought something. evidently a
box, covered with a cloth from n closet
and set it on a stool in the middle of
the room. As soon as it was in place
he withdrew the cloth, eXpo;Slg glass
case in which was a rattlesnake. The
viper was darting his vicious eyes from
one to the other. showing at the same
Major said the doctor, my friend.
Colonel Visher. before giving you his
daughter desires to test your bravery.
There is rattlesnake so confined that
he is harmless. Do you think You
could place your hand on the glass and
let him Strike at it without withdraw
ing it?"
The major stepped forward as i'm
perturbably as he had entered upon
many a duty on the field of battle and
placed his hand on the glass. The SER
pent made spring for it, humping
the glass. The major jerked away his
hand as if he had been bitten. Coloring
with modification. he placed it a sec
ond time on the glass and withdrew it
as quickly as before. Again and again
he tried it and every time failed.
''That will do" said the doctor.
Hans, come here"
Hans arose and came forward.
'Put your hand on the glass;" said
the doctor.
Hans mechanically stretched forth
his hand and rested it upon the glass.
The serpent struck at it, but Hans was
in dream and did not know it.
Gentlemen, the object for which 1
summoned you has been accomplished.
Good morning"
The major went out smarting under
his inability to keep his hand where
there was nothing but the seeming of
danger. Hans stood looking out of the
window. The doctor, who was near
him, heard him mutter:
but faint and sweet, like distant strains
From strings in a summer night.
Come thoughts of the childish sympathy
That brought me such delight
'Thatll do, Hans" said the doctor.
"You may go. What do you think of
his nerve, colonel?'
Splendid. What a pity he isn't a
soldier! He has won Lisa, and he shall
have her."
He was standing before the snakes
sase and was tempted to place his hand
on the glass. The snake sprang up, and