Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-02-26
DAILY snORI STORY
A Warning.
[Orfginal.l

l ali seemed TO regard II naruSnIp 10
| be obliged to do so. While talking in
the store with a number of citizens
who were expatiating on the desirable
| ity of the location, the richness OF the
land. the sterling integrity of the peo-
pie. 1 noticed cadaverous looking man
seated ON a cracker box who said moth
| ing When l left the store lie got up
and followed me.
Think of settling here. stranger" he
asked.
Yes
know anything about the place."
mo"
well. he said in u low voice and
looking furtively about him. the
| quicker You light out the better
At the same moment he noticed two
men come out of the store. at whom
he cas-, n hurried glance ana. before l
could ask him to explain, turned and
| walked away.
was not especially attracted 10 the
place and made up my mind from the
mans words to go on the next morn
ing. 1 would have left that night but
no train stopped at the station till the
next morning, so | was obliged TO stay
| all night. l went TO a small tavern,
| the only one in the settlement. and
called for u room. 1t was as unin-
viting u hostelry as l ever stopped ut.
The landlord looked as il he had left
the field of robbery to become Il tavern
keeper, or he might run the two to-
gether
After supper | sat in the office and
barroom. which were together, waiting
| for bedtime. Several i'll favored look
ing men came in and ordered drinks.
Then the man who had given ne the
| mysterious warning entered. | spoke
| TO him and invited him to sit down be-
side me and have cigar. He cast I'M
easy glances at the men at the bar, as
| if he preferred not to be seen in my
company. but the cigar Overcame his
preferences. and he Joined me.
You were saying this afternoon" l
began. when lie interrupted me.
II was a-sayin'." he said. that this
| yerc country is the finest in the terri
tory. The land is first rate. the people
! bang up and the climate salubr'us."
1t was evident that any Information
/
affairs could not safely be delivered
| before his fellow tOwnsmen. l took the
hint and turned the subject. hoping
when we We're alone lie would tell me
| the truth. / was disappointed. He
kept casting glanceS at the men in the
room and after every glance trembled,
| apparently fearful OF some revenge
| they would take if they knew he mad
| I,;e -1,oV,
| all backs were turned. he whispered:
Light out! Don't stop here! You'll
| quake in yer boots before mornin'"
! With this he arose and went out.
was so fearful of being murdered
| in bed that l went out on TO small
| porch and sat down, wondering what
in the world to do. While there. my
| cadaverous friend walked by and. see
| ing me alone, came close to me and
| whispered: Don't sit there il you
value your life. Go upstairs and shet
| yourself up And he hurried away,
| trembling as he went.
| The situation was growing horrible.
! According to the mans warning |
would be murdered where / was, and
! If / went to my room l could he more
| easily murdered or at least would have
! less chance TO defend myself or cs
| cape / determined to sit it out whore
1 was When the landlord came to
| lock the door l said 20 him:
Il think Ill stay here for awhile.
I'll lock the door when | cOme in.
He looked surprised. Indeed. my sit
ting there was evidently not 10 his
taste.
Amy danger in my sitting here?" l
asked.
Danger? oh. 10. there ain't no dan
ger What danger could there be-"
Though his words implied safety. his
tone and his manner implied the re-
verse. / told him to go to bed, and
would come in when | got ready He
did as l suggested. and sat on the
porch all night with a drawn revolver,
expecting every minute to have to fight
for my life. Daylight came at last. |
was thoroughly chilled with the night
air. Indeed l was shaking like a leaf,
though / fancied fear might have had
something to do with it. In time break
fast was announced. and after break
fast [ went 10 the station 10 wait for
my train. l had not been there long
before the man who had warned me
came uClN IL WIFI iSlu VIE anu luIeS
lean children. besides boxes and bun
dies.
Please tell me-" said. what was
the danger you warned me of last
night"
Hush he replied. Here comes tho
train. When we're off I'll tell YOU
The train pulled up. l, the man and
his family got aboard. and as we
steamed along joined him.
stranger" he said upon my repeat
ing my inquiry. Its ageT: jist aGer
The kentry's full of it. Me and my
family's all got it. l sold out yesterday
and am leavin' forever. IF they'd
caught me given the place away they'd
"a mobbed me-"