Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-09-01
DAILY STORY
A FOOL AND A RoRRER.

idiot son. From the time he was five
years old he had been a visitor at
Uncle Joe's. He sometimes remained
there overnight The lad and l always
got along together very well, and after
1 had known him for three or four
years l discovered that curiosity was
his leading trait.
He wasn't curious as other boys are,
but after arriving at the age of ten
he took to running around the country.
On Il certain night when L was ut
Uncle Joe's and when 1 was fourteen
years old uncle and Aunt Mary count
ed over 81 900 in bills they had in the
house. This counting was done in their
bedroom after / was in bed, and&the
package was then hidden under the
carpet. A noise was heard ut the Win
dow, and Uncle Joe went out to see if
any one was spooking round, but
made no discovery. Next day he went
away TO buy some cattle, and during
the forenoon things went on as usual.
Just before noon the fool came over.
and when the meal was ready he TOOK
his seat at the table with the rest.
There were two hired men, and after
dinner had been disposed of they went
back to their work in distant field.
l had been sent 10 roll some old cider
and vinegar barrels out of the cellar
and rinse them as we'll. l made signs
to the boy to help me, but he shook his
head and sat down on the doorstep and
kept up such Il grinning and chuckling
that Aunt Mary noticed it after awhile
and wondered what he had been up to.
At about half past l o'clock well
dressed. business looking man drove up
to the gate in n buggy, hitched his
horse and came in. He asked me at
the well if Mr.. Fuller was home, and
when l answered in the negative he
seemed considerably put out. l fol
lowed him to the kitchen door, whore
he introduced himself TO my aunt and
explained that he had cattle to sell
After a little talk he began 10 tell us
that he had seen man hurt on tho
highway. and gradually we all came
to crowd into the kitchen. CT a sud-
den the man pulled a revolver and said:
sit down, the three of you. and if
one of you utters a single yell l will
shoot you dead"
l thought the fellow was joking and.
was slow about sitting down. Aunt
Mary was also slow in catching on,
and as she finally took chair she was
pale rs death. The fool laughed and
sucked at his finger and seemed to con-
slider the thing good joke.
NOW then, understand me-" con-
tinued the man when we were seated
before him. There is money in this
house. I want it. I'm going to get it
if l have to kill the three of you. What
are you grinHiug at?"
This last remark was addressed to
the fool and l explained that he was a
victim of misfortune 1 was aston
ished. but not frightened. / had heard
of robbers. but this man didn't come
TIP to my notion of one at all. Neither
was l aware Of the large sum OF money
ir the house. The man hauled off 70
cuff the fool but thinking better OF it
he looked al Aunt Mary and said:
Get Ine that money. Get every dol
lar there is in The house. II Won keep
any back Ill burn the roof over your \
head"
please sir" she began. and l knew
in second that she wanted To deny
THAI there was any money in the house.
She couldn't tell Il lie. however. She
was too good n Christian for that. She
did hold out, however. until the man
cooked the weapon in her face, and
then she crcpt into the bedroom TO dig
the roll out from under the carpet. y
sudden ejaculation came from her and
she appeared ut the door to cry out:
It's gone, Sons one has robbed us
of every dollar,
Don't lie to me, woman." exclaimed
the man.
But I'm not lying Last night we
had $1,000. and hid it under the corner
Of The carpet there. Some one has
taken il since then"
The man had to believe her. Her
distress and sincerity were too evident.
He fell TO swearing and for five
minutes the air was blue with his pro-
family During this time the fool had
his hands over his mouth 10 prevent |
himself from laughing aloud, and was
if Aunt Mary wouldn't |
faint away. She said it was barely |
possible that Uncle Joe might have |
taken it away with him, thinking ut |
the last moment that he might have |
need of it. and it was probably this |
that prevented the man from question
ng us two boys. He was terribly put |
out but after making a search of the |
bedroom aud kicking things around |
le took his departure and drove off at |
4 furious pace.
When it was all over Aunt Mary |
1opped down in a faint. AS l ran for
water the fool rap toward the orchard.
[ had Just revived my aunt, who was
,rying, when the boy came in with. the
biggest kind of n grin on his face and [
he 81, 900 in his hand, and we had an
,ther circus for five minutes.
The fool had been looking through the
window the night before as the money
vas being counted. He had seen where
t was hidden, and next forenoon had
.rawied into the room and stolen 1T