Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-09-13
DAILY STORY
A GENTLEMAN IN RAGS.

vile, named after her father. was not
the handsomest girl in the village she
was handsome enough at least to in
spire sentiments i'll the hearts of half
a dozen young men, not one of whom
happened to be around when the gold
en- opportunity came to make a hero of
himself
The river ran close to the Lee home
stead, and Miss Betty had a boat and
was fond of boating. On this particu-
lar afternoon she started down the
river for romantic spot, where she
meant to tarry for 4 couple of hours as
she read new book. She landed in Il
clump of willows all right, but had
scarcely drawn the boat ashore when
Il COW came wading across the river
straight for the spot. She was Il
hOrnleSs COW and had Il humble
look, but to the girl she seemed to have
the expression of a rhinoceros bent on
murder. There was struggle through
the willows until a hiding place was
found.
The COW landed and proceeded on
her way, but the maiden had hardly
breathed Il sigh of relief when another
danger menaced. y chunky hog of
two years growth had sought the shell
ter of the willows to ponder and re-
fleet and sleep. The girl disturbed
him, and he put up bluff. He was
us harmless as a kitten, but the bluff
worked. When he chanked his teeth
ut her and made pretense of charging
she caught the lower limb of a big
willow and drew herself up.
Five minutes later. when the hog
moved off and left the girl free to
come down she couldn't come. One of
her feet had got caught between two
limbs. and try as hard as she could
it was impossible TO extract it. 1t would
not have been difficult for Il young
man, but there is a difference which
sex is up tree.
Miss Betty struggled until she real
lied that it was no use and then be-
gan to call for help. She was mile
from the village and half mile from
the nearest farmhouse, and it was
gloomy outlook. She did not scream
at the top of her voice, but neverthe-
less she had not been calling over five
minutes when she heard some one or
approaching.
who is it and where are you?"
asked a voice. and then the girl knew
that it was not the hog.
This way, up this tree" she replied.
wondering whose voice it was and
hoping it belonged to some steady old
farmer who could be sworn TO silence.
Her blood ran cold when she saw that
it was Il stranger. Not only that but
a tramp. Sand and leaves were stick
ing to his clothes to show that he had
been sleeping on the ground. Com
ing to Il halt five feet away he could
hardly see the girl roosting in the tree,
but he dotted his old cap and queried:
Am | mistaken in believing that
some one is up that tree?"
Il am up here and can't get down.
My foot is caught in the limbs. Won't
you go to the village and get help to
release me-"
My dear young lady" replied the
tramp, after a moments reflection. ''let
us do nothing i'll Il hurry. l left the
village an hour ago. The constable
said if l returned he'd guarantee me
thirty days"
I'VE will first introduce ourselves.
That is, will introduce myself as VIII
liam Crawford. some time gentleman,
but later on a highway tourist. To my
intimate friends l am Bill. That's me,
and who you are is no concern of mine.
Having landed you safely on the
our paths will thenceforth di-
verge"
But how Will you release me-"
Il must climb the tree and see how
your foot is caught before answering
that question:
Mercy on me! But l can't let you
come up here"
Il realize the situation. young lady,
FULLY realize it. To reassure you. let
ne say that we Crawfords are curl
,us family. My grandmother.
my grandmother and my mother all
climbed trees and got their feet caught.
All were rescued by strangers. Every
stranger turned out to be gentleman.
AS u Crawford 1 cannot forget what l |
1--WE to these other gentlemen
"Oh. why was ] so foolish as to be |
lfraid of that hog" walled the girl.
You couldn't help it. You were born |
hat way. The hog has departed, how |
.ver. and now comes the other ques- |
ion. Do you want to come DOWN."
"Of course / do
do you want me to go to the viii
age%
''I-I-no!"
''Then l shall infer, my dear young |
ady, that you have decided to permit |
ne to release you. l am here at the |
DOT of your tree. 1 always climb
rec with my eyes on the ground. Here
ire the limbs beween which your foot
s caught. 1 might not have been able
o release my own foot from the trap.
have no knife with which to cut
way, but by swinging off on this lar
,er branch L can break it down. Here
L q