Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-02


ton TO the candidate he had brought
forward the choice was constitutional.
Then there was the good name of
the organization to be considered. In
all the years since the meetings began
there had not been the slightest note of
discord and il was not time now to
mar the record The better way, it
was privately pointed out. would be to
lie low till the next year and in the
meantime hatch up some scheme TO re-
capture the organization. So one by
one the grizzly names of the indignant
ones settled and finally peace was en-
tirely restored
AS was to be expected the new
chairman, when the motion prevailed
for the selection OF committee to
visit the grounding hole. named three
of the new members. While these
were admitted TO be able politicians
there was no reason to suppose that
they were properly equipped with
grounding lore. This was another bit
ter pill for the old timers but they
again thought of the fair name of the
oONitty, Sulptu, anu II.
Another Modern Intrusion.
When the committee withdrew to
visit the home of the little animal on
the banks of Turkey Hollow two miles
north of the village, what did the fresh
young chairman do but tip signal to
some of his supporters who left the
hall and shortly returned with a talk
ing machine and moving picture out
fit with which they proceeded 10 put
on an entertainment
This came mighty near breaking up
the meeting A call was actually made
by one old fellow who could stand it
no longer for a bolt of the recognized
members from the hall and a number
had started to follow him before the
movement was checked. again in the
interests of the good name of the or,
ganization.
! Finally, the committee came back
The members slipped quietly into the
hall as though anxious to escape OBJ
Servation. The chairman stole up to
the rostrum and held a short consulta-
| ton with the presiding officer who
quickly thereafter shut off the talking
machine and rose to make an eXplana-
| ton. He said the committee had re-
quested him to state that the members
| had been at the groundhog's den at
| sun up ready for the animal to appear
and to note the results. But no ground
hog showed up. There was not the
| faintest sign of him and when the COM
mittee. after waiting till the orb of day
was well on his way toward the zenith
advanced TO examine the hole. they
with a sign across the door bearing
the legend:
| CLOSED by order of the meat in
| spectors.
No sooner were the words out of the
mouth of the chairman than he was
soaked amidships with a stick of stove
wood and put ont of business. The
next instant the man who had placed
him in nomination shot through a win
dow head first. The storm could be
restrained no longer. Insult had been
added to injury. and no further par
leying could be tolerated. Members OF
the grounding committee were sought
for. but could not be found, and in an
other moment those who had packed
the meeting fled from the place
Then Came the Rescue.
While the regular members who
We're left in possession of the field
were debating what course to pusue to
save the society from the utter dis
grace that would come upon it in the
absence of a prognostication for the
guidance of the agricultural commun
ity who should appear at the door but
the Banker. He was footsore and
weary, but there was a smile of tri
umph on his face that warmed the
hearts of those who saw it and he was
welcomed with a grunt, the ground
hog signal of welcome.
The newcomer appeared to under
stand all that had taken place. q was
at the grounding hole at sun up" said
he, land | am ready to report"
There was another expression OF
Joy and relief. at this announcement
md the banker proceeded to tell hi;
i story.
1t appeared that he had started at
l. m. to walk from Rock Island. He
tried TO travel on an air line but broke
through the ice in crossing Rock river
and had to stop at a farm house to dry
lis clothing Because of this delay i
was nearly sunrise when he approaches
he vicinity of the grounding den anC
knowing that he could not reach the
meeting in time to participate in tn,
irst deliberations he took turn acros
he hills to the hole to note whethe