Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-05

I'm of fate has swung from extreme IN
its regulation of the life time of Mon
aker Mike" hobo, erst Horace Ed
| wards, gentleman. Today a pariah, os-
tracised from home and former as
| sociatiOns, a derelect tossed ruthlessly
about on life's stormy seas, Edwards
was 10 years ago a leader in the smart
set of a western city.
Scion of an aristocratic New York
family that traced its lineage back TO
the Mayfiower landing, Edwards name
was in itself an open sesame TO the
most exclusive drawing rooms of the
city he had chosen as the scene of his
professional career after being gradu-
ated from an eastern university.
Wealth. and the prestige associated
with the family escutcheOn, placed
Edwards on plane of society equality
with the first families.
At this time Edwards was about %
years of age. and in the first flush of
vigorous young manhood. His tall,
erect well-knit figure, handsome face,
dark wavy hair and deep brown eyes
were masculine attractions that caused
a flutter in more than one femenine
heart His bearing and department
were that of courtier. His converse
ton was brilliant and reflected the
polish and thOrOughness of splendid
education.
Thus it was that society welcomed
him with open arms.
1t was Edwards who escorted the
most charming of the younger set tC
dinner or the ball room. Ambitious
mammals with manageable daughters
angled skillfully to land him on the
matrimonial hook. To the credit OF
the young ladies be it said
that the task was not entirely de
volved upon the anxious mothers. For
with the indefinable and eloquent, al
though mute language that is spoken
alike by blue eyes and by brown they
expressed favor for Edwards.
However. Horace Edwards was gift
ed with vein of good common sense.
Having met none that conformed
with his mind-pictured ideal he kept
free from the entangling meshes OF
the matrimonial net. He spent few
hours each day at his office awaiting
clients who came not, and followed
the routine of social life week after
week, until one day he met his Eve.
A month after both disappeared and
never returned. Society was first
alarmed, then shocked. and finally the
mystery was engulfed in oblivion.
Yesterday afternoon when a Rock
Island freight train pulled into the
Cedar Rapids yards at Epley, for
lorn, wretched specimen of humanity |
crawled from a box car. Just q tramp |
that was all. You can see scores OF
them any day in a railroad yard. But
this tramp was even pictur- |
asque in his misery and squalor. His |
-attered garments covered a form that |
showed evidences of a one-time splen |
lid manhood. Through the stain of |
could be discerned lines of
leCayed refinement. The drunken leer
the features could not
hide traces of former culture. The
picture presented was an admiXture of
pathos and the tragedy of
shattered life of promise.
"Monakcr Mike" was i'm that state
If quasi-forsetfulness that white
line induces through benumbing sen
sibilities. That trip down the line had
been tedious. Twice he fell asleep
and narrowly escaped the wheels
What if ne had gone under, who would
nave cared? Who cares for "Monaker
Nike"
And those awful gnawing pangs of
munger. He had tried to get work at
hat last farm house. but the people
old him to find bread where his whis-
Ky came from. And they turned the
log on him. But he was used to that.
Once q man is down and the whole
world delights in keeping him there.
Kind words and assistance are only
or those who do not need them. Then
sleep, natures sweet gift to prince and
)egSar alike, came 10 Mike. and he
lreamed.
In fancy Mike was home again. He
stood in front of an imposing man
sion. The warm glow oc brilliant il.
limitations, the sweet perfume OF
'oses and carnations and the witching
snchantment of music came TO him
rom the open windows and heralded
'ociety's sway. Some inexplicabIe.
orcc impelled Mike to join the party
IF arriving guests aud enter To him
he footman was ELUSIVE in greeting
o point of servility. Mike made his
way straight to the drawing room. In
he center OF n group stood a slender1
girl in white. She recognized Mikei
his courage the tramp ad-
,anced toward the blue-eyed girl. wor-
ship and alteration thrilling his soul.
oh. Horace. | am so glad you have
come. she said. And than Mike re.
he was Horace Edwards.
Miss Alice Morson was a young lady
II reputed wealth ard position re-
emily arrived from England. The
roung people had met at a ball given
several weeks before. Their acuuaint-
nee had ripened rapidly into friend
hip, and each had begun to realize
his evening that they were all the
world to each other. And it was In
he conservatory that Edwards TOLD
Alice Morson that he loved her and
I was there she promised to be his