davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
Skinner Home.

Mayor c. P. Skinner and family and
their attendants are home again, nav
ing reached the city Sunday night.
Through various unavoidable and vex-
atious delays the party was 80 hours
late in reaching Moline. Mayor Skin
ner presided at the session of the city
council last night. He is looking fine.
weighs 160 pounds, and has a coat of
tan that a cowboy might envy.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
The Right Name is DeWitt.

DeWttt's Witch Hazel Salve cools.
soothes and heals cuts, burns, boiIs,
bruises, piles and all skin diseases. K.
E. Zickefoose, AdOlph, w. Va, saws:
My little daughter had white swelling
so bad that piece after piece of bone
worked out of her leg. DeWitt's Witch
Hazel Salve cured her." 1t is the most
wonderful healing salve in the world.
Beware of counterfeits. Sold by all
druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
A Tried and True Friend.

One Minute Cough Cure contains not
an atom of any harmful drug. and it
has been curing coughs, colds, Group
and whooping cough so long that it has
proved itself to be tried and true
friend TO many who use it Sold by
all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04

street has begun. The preliminary ex-
cavating is in progress between Third
and Fourth streets, and the curbing is
being set along Fourth street between
Marquette and Fillmore streets. The
old lie Claire yellow stone cVrbing is
being replaced with the conventional
curbing adopted by the city some time
ago
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
Fred Merriman claims a Bride.

Fred S. Merriman, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. P. a. Merriman, of Moline, was
united in marriage TO Miss Bernice
Taylor at Peoria Saturday evening.
The bride is the daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. w. H. Taylor, formerly of Moline,
but now living in Peoria. They are
now at the groom's home in this city.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
Bows Arc Eined-

Charles J. Goldberg, aged 16 years
Herbert A. Rogers, aged IS years;
William Smarsty, aged 16 years. and
Margaret Smarsty, aged II years. were
before Justice Ingelson yesterday.
charged with disorderly conduct. They
were picked up near the Rock Island
station. where they were making the
air blue with profane and obscene Ian
guage
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
THE THEATRE.
illinois sookinus.

April 4-"Yankee Consul"
April and 6-"Egypta."
April S-Mildred Holland.
April 9-Fabio- Romanio
April 10 and week-Jack Bessey
Stock company.
April 22--tI.c 11fghness the Bey.
April "a and week-Guy Hickman
company.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
New 90" Line.

The Burlington probably will build
a line from Centralia to Zeigler and
Herrin. ILL.,. which it is expected will
prove a formidable competitor of the
Illinois Central and St Louis Valley
roads for the control of the coal traf-
fC
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
Farm Brings Good Price.

Jochim ThieI has conveyed his 100
acre farm, located in section ?, OF LIE
Claire township, between lie Claire and
Princeton, which is a wooded tract on
the river, to Charles Hamann for the
consideration of $4,000.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
WineheII Returns to CHICAGO.

President Winchell of the Rock ISL
and has returned to Chicago from his
trip with other Rock Island officials
over the lines of the system. His first
act was to call a meeting of the pres
idents of the Kansas City lines to con-
slider again the union station for that
city
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
New incorporation,

The Tri-City Sand Stone Brick COM
pany, of Moline, capital 500. 1000. for the
manufacture of brick and building ma
terial, was incorporated at Springfield
yesterday. The incorpOrators are: B.
F. Peek, c. E. Deitz and G. A. Shall
berg.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
Home EoIks Booked.

Home Folks" a new play by
Charles T. DaSey, of Quincy, whose in
Old Kentucky" has been one of the
greatest successes of the decade. and
now running at McVicker's, in Chica-
go. has been booked for an appear
ance at the Illinois this month.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
TESTED 40 YEARS,

Since 1864 thousands of Rheumatic and
equity sufferers have been cured BY
Sennewald's Prescription -Four Thousand.
it is no new experiment. There is
nothing uncertain about it. We abso-
!utely KNOW that it is a quick and
permanent specific for
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
READ THO:

We have patent thin elastic plate
with natural gums that fits in all cases
and when others fail. We use no cheap
material in our Office. for our work is
all guaranteed to be equal to the high
est priced dentists and to be first class
an every respect. Notice our prices be
Sow, they are always the same:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04

ExcaVating for Paving.
Work on the paving on Fillmore
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-04
Chicago Dental Company
OFFICE 1914 SECOND AVENUE.
Painless Extracting

and removal Of nerves done by US. and
the best and most careful treatment
given to all cases.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-11

z''Where shall find you when l get away?'
 T shall be down at Esher. hope to catch the 9;55."
 "But surely l can see you again this afternoon? ] cried in a ferment, for his hand was on the door. "lm not half coached ID yeti l know l shall make mess of it!'
 Not you" he said again, but I shall if l waste any more time.. I've got deuce of lot of rushing about to do yet. You won't find me at my rooms Why not come down 10 Fisher yourself by the last train? That's it- down you come with the latest news! I'll tell old Debenham to expect you; he shall give us both bed. By love he won't be able to do us too well 1T he's got his picture"
 '1f!" I groaned as he nodded his adieu; and he left me limp with ap- prehension, sick with fear, in per fectly pitiable condition of pure stage fright.
 For after all, I had only to act my part; unless Rallies failed where he never did fail, unless Rallies, the neat and noiseless, was for once clumsy and inept, all 1 had to do was indeed to smile and smile and be villain" practised that smile half the after noon. 1 rehearsed putative parts in hy-, pothetieal conversations I got up stories. I dipped ina book on Queens land at the club. And at last it was 7i5, and 1 was making my bow to a somewhat elderly man with a small, bald head and a retreating brow.
 50 you're MT Raffles's friend?' said he, overhauling me rather rudely with his light. small eyes. "Seen any thing of him? Expected him early to show me something, but he's never
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-11

Seen him and made friends with nm and, fl possible, he's the funnier o.u eass of the two; but you should sluay em both. I took the bull by ,ne horns this morning. went in and Aea Ike Ananias. and it was just as well did-the old rnffian sails for Australia by tomorrow's boat. 1 told nm q man wanted to sell him a copy or the celebrated Infanta Maria Ter esq ot Nelasqnez. that I'd been down 10 lhe supposed owner of the picture. onlS to md that he had just sold it to nm. ou should have seen his face when ] told him that He grinned all round his wicked old head. Did old Debenham admit the sale2 says he; and when l said he had he ehuexled To himself for about five minutes. He was so pleased that he did just what l hoped he would do; he showed me the great picture-luckily it isn't by any means a large one-also the case he's got 1t in. It's an iron map-case in which he brought over the plans of his land in Brisbane; he wants to know who would suspect it of con taining an Old Master, too? But he's had it fitted with an old Chubb lock- and L managed to take an interest in the key while he kas gloating over the canvas. l had the wax in the palm of my hand, and I shall make my duplicate this afternoon"
 Rallies looked at his watch and jumped up. saving that he had given me minute too much.
 By the way,a he added, "you've got to dine with him at the Metropoe to- "Ir'
 Yes don't look scared. Both of us are invited-I swore you were dining with me. l accepted for us both; but l shaut be there"
 His clear eye was upon me, bright with meaning and with mischief implored him to tell me what his meaning was
 You will dine in his private sitting room" said Rallies; 1t adjoins his bedroom. You must keep him sitting as long as possible, Bunny, and talk ing all the tme!'
 In a flash l saw his plan.
 You're going for the picture while we're at dinner?'
 If he hears your
 ''He shan't"
 But if he does!'
 And fairly trembled at the thought. If, he does" said Rallies, there will be a collision. that's all. Revolver would be out of place in the Metro pole, but I shall certainly take life- preserver."
 But it's ghastlyr' I cried ITO sit and talk to an utter stranger and to know that you're at work in the next roomn
 Two thousand apiece" said Raf- fies. quietly.
 Upon my soul l believe shall give 1t away!"
 Not you, Bunny. l know you bet ter than you know yourself"
 He put on his coat and his hat.
 What time have l to be there?' I asked him, with a groan.
 Quarter to eight. There will be telegram from me saying I can't turn up. He's a terror to talk; you'll have no difficulty in keeping the ball roll ing; but head him off his picture for all you are worth. If he offers to show 1t to you, say you must go. He locked up the case elaborately this afternoon, and there's no earthly reason why he should unlock 1t again in this hemisphere"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-11
$ Mine Points of the
 Law"

imagination gave me quite a turn. Rallies. tell you priceless treas ure l got in there?"
 # was the picture a5 last; up to this point l had kept him to Queen land and the making of his pile. l tried to get him back there now, but in vain. He was reminded of his great ill-gotten possession. l said that Rallies had Just mentioned 1t, and that sent him off. With the confidential garruity of q man VI has dined too well, he plunged into his darling topic, and I looked past him at the clock. It was only a quarter to ten.
 In common decency I could not so yet. So there l sat Cwe were still at porD and learnt what had originally fired my hosts ambition to possess what he was pleased to call a real. genuine. twin-screw. double-funnelled. copper -bottomed Old Master" 1t was to "go one better than some rival legislator of pictorial proclivities. But even an epitome of his monologue would be so much weariness; suffice it that it ended inevitably in the invita-. ton l had dreaded all the evening.
 But you must see it. Next room. This way"
 Isn't it packed up?' I inquired hastily.
 Lock and key. That's alll."
 Pray. don't trouble" I urged.
 "Trouble be hanged" said he, come along"
 And all at once I saw that to resist him further would be to heap sus- picion upon myself against the mo- mcnt of impending discovery. l there fore followed him into his bed room without further protest and suffered him first to show me the iron map
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-11

prepared to hear from men like your selves. Candidly. and on eonsidera- ton. am not sure that you are the stamp of men for me-men who be- long to good elubsi rather intended to appeal to he-er-adventurous classes
 We are adventurers,s said Rallies gravely
 ''But you respect the law?'
 The black eyes gleamed shrewdly
 We are not professional rogues, II that's what you mean said Rallies, smiling. But on our beam=ends we are: we would do a good deal for a thousand pounds apiece, eh, Bun ny?"
 Anything" l murmuredi
 The solicitor rapped his desk.
 "I'll tell you what l want you to do You can but refuse. It's Illegal but it's illegality in a good cause; that's the risk, and my client is pre- paired to pay for it. He will pay for the attempt, in case of failure; the money as good as yours once you consent to run the risk My client is Sir Bernard Debenham, fsof Broom Hall, Esher'
 T know his son." remarked.
 Rallies knew him. too, but said noth- ing, and his eye dropped disapproval in my direction Bennett Addenbrooke turned to me-.
 Them said he, you have the priv ilege of knowing one of the most con- plete young blackguards about town, and the ions ct origo of the whole trouble. As you know the son, you may know the father, too, at all events. by reputation; and in that case I needn't tell you that he is a very pe- culiar man. He lives alone in store house of treasures which no eyes but
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-11

not speak about ito either Of you just yet. But speak 10 Sir Bernard 1 must, so will you write me one line to-him on your card? Of course, if you wish, you must=oome down with me and hear what 1 say: but l really don't see much point in it.
 And as usual Rallies had his way though Bennett Addenbrooke showed some temper when. he was gone. and | myself shared his annoyance to no small extent l could only tell him that it was in the nature of Rallies to be self willed and secretive. but that no man of my acquaintance had half his audacitys. and determinations that l. for my part, would trust him through and through and let him gang his own gait every time More l dared not say, even to remove those chill misgivings with which l kl1ew that the lawyer went his way.
 That day l saw no more of Rallies, but a telegram reached me when l was dressing for dinner:
 Be in Sour rooms tomorrow from noon and keep rest of day clear.
 -"RAFFLES." It had been sent off from Waterloo at G:42.
 Sc Rallies was back in town; at an earlier stage of our relations l should have hunted him ID then- and there, but now l knew better. Ills telegram meant that he had nc desire for my society that night or the following forenoon that when he wanted me l should see him soon enough
 And see him l did. toward 1 o'clock next day. I was watching for him from my window in Mount street, when he drove up furlously in a han sonl and jumped out without a word to the man. l met him next minute at the lift gates, and he fairly pushed me back into my rooms.
 Five minutes Bunny" he cried. Not moment more"
 And he tore off his coat before fiinging himself in the nearest chain.
 I'm fairly on the rush lie panted: having the very devil of a time! Not a word till 1 tell you all I've done 1 settled my plan of campaign yesterday at lunch. The first thing was to get in with this man Craggs you can't break into place like the Metropole, it's got to be done from the inside. Problem one how to get at the fel- low. Only one sort of pretext would do-it must be something to do with this blessed picture. so that 1 might see where he'd got It. and all that. We'll, 1 couldn't go and ask to see 1t out Of curiosity, and l couldn't go as a second representative of the other old chap, and it was thinking how 1 could go that made me such a bear at lunch. But l saw my way before we got up. If l could only lay hold of a copy of the picture l might ask leave to go and compare it with the origi- nal So down l went to Esher to find out if there was a copy in existence, and was at Broom Hall for one hour and a half yesterday afternoon. There was no copy there. but they must ex- ist. for Sir Bernard himself dheres copy thereD has allowed a couple to be made since the picture has been in his possession. He hunted up the painters addresses, and the rest of the evening l spent in hunting up the painters themselves: but their work had been done on commissions; one copy had gone out of the country, and Pm still on the track of the other"
 Then you haven't seen Craggs vet ?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-11

case, which stood in one corner: he took a crafty pside in this receptacle, and l thought he would never cease descanting on its innocent appearance and it's Chubbs lock. 1t seemed an interminable age before the key was in the latter Then the ward clicked, and my pulse stood still.
 By love" l cried instant
 The canvass was in it's place among the mapsl
 Thought 1t would knock you" said Craggs, drawing il out and unrolling it for my benefit Grand thing, aint 1t? Wouldn't think 1t had been paint ed two hundred and thirty years? It has. though. my word Old John sons face will be treat when he sees it; won't go hragging about his pie lures much more. Why this ones worth all the pictures in Colony o Queensland put together. Worth fifty thousand pounds my boy-and l got it for fivel"
 He dug me in the ribs, and seemed in the mood for further condolences. My appearance checked him. and he rubbed his hands.
 If you take 1t like that" he chucSled how will old Johnson take it? Go out and hang himself to his own picture-rods, ] hope!'
 Heaven knows what l contrived to say at last. Struck speechless first by my relief. l continued silent from a very different cause. A new tangle of emotions tied my tongue. Rallies had failed-Rafles had failed. Could 1 not succeed? Was it too late? Was there no way?
 50 long" he said, taking a last look at the canvas before he rolled 1t up-"so long till we get to Bris- bane.'
 The nutter l was in as he closed the case
 4For the last time," he went on. as his keys jingled back into his pocket. Tt goes straight into the strong room on board"
 "For the last timel If I could but send him out to Australia with only its legitimate contents in his precious map case! If I could but succeed where Rallies had failed.
 We returned to the other room. l have no notion how long we talked. or what about. Whisky and soda water became the order of the hour. scarcely touched it. but he drank copiously, and before eleven l left him incoherent And the last train for l took hanson to my rooms. l was back at the hotel in thirteen min utes. 1 walked upstairs. The corridor was empty; l stood an instant on the sitting room threshold, heard a snore within, and admitted myself softly with my gentleman's own key, which it had been a very simple matter to take away with me.
 Craggs never moved; he was stretched on the sofa fast asleep. But not fast enough for me. l saturated my handkerchief with the chloroform I had brought and I laid it gently over his mouth. Two or three stren- uous breaths. and the man was log.
 I removed the handkerchief: l ex- tracted thes keys from his pocket. In less than five minutes put them back
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-11

your stamp But it's not stealing he exclaimed heatedly. its recovering stolen property. Besides. Sir Bernard will pay him his five thousand as soon as he has the picture; and, you'll see, old Craggs will be just as 10th to let 1t come out as Sir Bernard himself. No, no-it's an enterprise, an adventure, if you lilxe-but not stealing.
 You yourself mentioned the law murmured Rallies
 And the risk, 1 added.
 We pay for that, he said once more.
 But not enough, said Rallies. shaking his head My good sir. con slider what it means to us. You spoke of those clubs: We should not only get kicked out of them. but put in prison like common burglarsl It's true were hard up but 1t simply isn't worth it at the price. Double your stakes, and l for one am your man.
 Addenbroole wavered.
 Do you think you could bring it off?''
 We could try
 But you have no"--
 Experience? Well, hardly"
 And you would really run the risk for four thousand pounds?'
 Rallies loked at me. l nodded.
 We would said he. and blow the odds!'
 Its more than l can ask my client to pay, said .Addenbrooke, growing firm.
 @Then it's more than you can expect us to risk
 You are in earnest?"
 God wot!'
 Say three thousand if you succeed!' -Four is our figure, MT. Alden brooke"
 "rhen I think it should be nothing if you fail"
 "Doubles or quits?e cried Rallies. Well, that's sporting. Donew
 "Addenbrooke opened his lips, half rose, then sat back in his chair and looked long and shrewdly at Rallies never once at me.
 l know your bowling" said he re- fectively. 'l go up to Lords when ever I want an hours real rest, and I've seen you bowl again and again yes. and take the best wickets in Eng land on plumb pitch. l don't forget the last Gentleman and Players; l was there You're up to every trick-ev- cry one ss I'm inclined to think that if anybody could bowl out this old Australian : Damme, I be- lieve you're my very man!"
 The bargain was clnched at the Cafe Royal, where Bennett Alden brooke insisted on playing host at an extravagant luncheon. I remember that he took his whack of champagne with the nervous freedom of a man at high pressure. and have no doubt I kept him in. .countenance by an equal indulgence; but Rallies, ever an ex- emplar in such matters. was more ab- stemious even than his wont, and very poor company to boot. can see him now, his eyes in his plate--think- ing-thinking. I can see the solicitor glancing from him to me in an appre- hension of which l did my best to dis abuse him by reassuring looks. At the close Rallies apologized for his preoccupation. called for an A. B. c. time table, and announced his inten- tion of catching the 3:02 to Esher.
 You must excuse me, MT. Alden brooke,' said he, ''but I have my own idea, and for the moment I should much prefer to keep 1t to myself It may end in a fizzle. so I would rather
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-11

come"
 No more evidently had his telegram. and my troubles were beginning early. l said l had not seen Rallies since 1 o'clock, telling the truth with unction while l could; even as we spoke there came q knock at the door; it was the telegram at last, and, after reading 1t himself, the Queenslander handed 1t to me.
 Called out of town" he grumbled. Sudden illness of near relative! What near relatives has he got?"
 knew of none, and for an instant quailed before the perils of invention; then l replied that I had never met any of his people, and again felt for tified by my veracity.
 Thought you were bosom pals?' said he with Gas I smagined) a gleam of suspicion in his crafty little eyes.
 "Only in town" said I. i've never been to his place."
 Well" he growled. q suppose it can't be helped Don't know why he couldn't have come and have his din- ner first. Like to see the deathbed I'd go to without my dinner; it's a full-skin billet, if you ask me Well, must just dine without him, and he'll have to buy his pig in poke after all Mind touching that bell? Suppose you know what he came to see me about? Sorry 1 shan't see him again. for his own sake. l liked Rallies took to him amazingly. He's Il cynic Like cynlcs? One myself. Rank bad form of his mother or his aunt, and 1 hope she will go and kick the bucket"
 l connect these specimens of his con versation, though they were doubtless detached at the time, and interspersed A. They filled the interval until dinner was served. and they gave me an im- pression of the man which his every subsequent utterance confirmed. 1t was an impression which did away with all remorse for my treaeherous presence at his table. He was that terrible type. the Silly Cynic, his aim a caustic commentary on all things and men, his achievement mere vulgar irreverence and unintelligent scorn. 1ll-bred and ill-formed, he had Con his own showing) fuked into fortune on a rise in land; yet cunning he possessed as well as malice. and he chuckled till he choked over the misfortunes of less astute speculators in the same boom. Even now 1 cannot feel much compunction for my behavior to the Hon. J. M. Craggs, M. l.. C.
 But never shall I forget the private agonies of the situation, the listening to my host with one ear and for Raf- fies with the otherl Once 1 heard him-though the rooms were not di- vided by the old-fashioned folding doors, and though the door that did divide them was not only shut but richly curtained, I could have sworn I heard him once. l split my wine and laughed at the top of my voice at some coarse sally of my hosts. And I heard nothing more, though my ears were on the strain. But later, to my horror, when the waiter had finally withdrawn, Craggs himself sprang up and rushed to his bedroom without a word. l sat like stone till he re- turned. .t
 Thought I heard a door go" he