Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-13
DAILY SHORT STORY
A Cool Hand.
Copyright. 1904. by C B. Lewis-l

rooming at a hotel. and one evening l
had purchased the current magazines
and sat down for a long read. 1 had
read for two hours or more without
rising from my chair when the door
of the clothes closet suddenly opened
and a man who had been in hiding
there walked out. He was not tough
looking man. though he had a pistol in
his hand. and his appearance was so
sudden that 1 was simply surprised.
well, who are you?" l asked as he
advanced and took a seat.
Perhaps you read in the evening
papers of a bank being swindled:' he
queried in reply.
yes, but what has that got TO do
with you?'
"Well, to tell you the truth, l am
the man who got the money"
But how did you come TO be hid
ing here in my room? The papers said
that the man got away"
81 had other plans. but they mis-
carried-in fact, a pal OF mine lost his
nerve at a critical moment and left
me in the lurch. 1 lodged into this
hotel in search of a temporary asy-
lum and was lucky enough to find your
door unlocked-careIessnes OF the
chambermaid probably. Did you ever
see $1,000 in one pile? Good for sore
eyes, See here"
He fumbled In his breast pocket for
al,
money. There were three separate
packages 900, $1,000 and $1,000
but he had tied them all together and
made one large package. Most of the
bills were new. and the bundle was
worth a second look.
''This means clothes, quail on toast,
a trip to London, Paris and Berlin -
he said as he fondly patted the money
Look here, old chappie," he con-
tinued as he coolly stretched at full
length on the bed. I'm willing to
divvy with you. Hand in your resig-
nation and take European tour with
me. It'll help your health and broaden
your mind. This Doodle will enable us
to travel first class for year
LIS AIIpuhCiNC uSSLAf SltCd sAhS-
had not recovered from my surprise,
and as he looked at me for an answer
said:
"I'll see you hanged first. I'm not
making European tours with bank
sneaks and forgers. Your trip will end
at the front door Of the state prison.
TOO peppery-altogether too pep
perry" he quietly observed. And do
you think I'll be arrested"
Certainly. I'm going to take you
downstairs and turn you over to the
police"
That's all wool and n yard wide. but
it will shrink when you come to try
1t on he said as he flung his feet off
the bed and stood up. Il don't know
that l blame you for refusing the trip
to Europe, but please don't be an idiot
in other directions. You shave your
self. don't your" he finally asked as he
turned to me.
Yes; my razor is in the right hand
top drawer"
'Ah. thanks! Good razor. good brush.
good soap. That makes shaving a lux
ury."
He handled the razor with the delft
ness of n barber. and in seven or eight
minutes he was clean shaved. He had
sandy hair, while his eyebrows We're
almost red There was n bottle of
| black ink on the dresser. He used his
handkerchief for n sponge and colored
his eyebrows. With the same fluid
he made up as neat black eye as one
rowdy ever gave another. and he was
altIicl-Iincr ha I'm 10 70
Just one thing more old mana suit
OF clothes-your oldest suit. I'll pay
cash for it,
had n much worn suit in the ward
robe. which handed out.
Rather a tight fit. but I'll make it
do" he said as be began to peel off.
MY object is not TO pass myself off
for you. but to get rid of the Scotch
tweed. You can sell that suit for ct
least SO. and here's So for yours"
'I don't want your money"
Don't be fnicky. That's no part of
this Doodle. but was honestly earned.
I'll leave 1T on the dresser. Now. then,
to wrap the money in this newspaper
and take my departure. Look here.
my boy; take this thousand and put it
where It will give you a start"
I'D starve first"
''Too goody good to ever get ahead
of the game, What course are you go
ing to pursue when / leave the roomE"
kick myself for fool and then go
to bed"'
go TO bed without doing the kicking
act. You are the most sensible young
man I've met in a year. If I'm arrest
ed, l shall say nothing about what's
| happened here; if l get away. l shall
| always feel hurt that you wouldn't
take some of the money. Tra-la, old
man.
When he had closed the door locked
! IT and sat down. After a quarter Of
an hour had slipped away I tumbled
into bed. l fell asleep after a bit. and
it was O'Clock before l opened my
eyes. While l was dressing / had to
90 to the dresser for hand collar but
ton and the ink stained handkerchief