Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-05-08

enterprises, ION was through II Ill q
twinkling and well pleased with his
discovery. The boat was still hiber
mating keel upward on trestles. 1t
would be very strange thing if that
day. of all others. were chosen for
launching her for the summer. Deter
mined, at any rate. to risk it. the run
away climbed into a little loft which
might have been made for him and
settled down for the day. He rolled
, himself up in several folds of straw
berry netting and made another quaint
pillow of the box of a moving ma
! chine, whereon he slept soundly for
several hours
| When Tom deemed 1t dark enough
! for Il iudicious exit the wet earth was
! as fragrant as flower. He shifted 1t
! ioyously through the open window by
! which he had entered. The garden
path was washed very yellow and Dor
! dered by twin canals. There WAS more
| light than he had thought when in the
! loft Still, not soul was in view. and
| it had been lighter yet when he arriv-
ed. 1t was necessary, however. to get
| ward. and when Tom had done so and
turned around he beheld standing on
the yellow path between the two ca
mails and quiZZically regarding him the
QuainteSt and the tinicst old gentle
man he had ever encountered.
He was certainly not more than five
feet high. but he carried himself SUI
perbly and fixed the intruder with 4
steady. iCcUlar. light blue eye which
inspired respect before fear. He seem
ed, indeed the essence of ConteGp.a
tive geniaity. but it was his powdered
hair, black knee hrecche; and white
silk stockings that gave him the pic
ture book appearance at which even
Tom found time to marvel. But he
marvcied more when the old gentle
man made him Il courtly bow and SAID
in high. chiruing tones:
Il am delighted to see you, sir!
fear my bOathOuse will have afforded
You but Indifferent shelter on so vile A.;
; Gay. Such as it has been. however
you are welcome to it indeed"
/ "NclcOme" exclaimed Tom.
"And why not" chirruped the other
surely we who have must give to yOD
: who have not. be it roof or boot?
| am sorry, however. to see YOU bare
> footed. for you will permit me to oh
= serve that such stockings as you hav
+ on are worse than none If you vii
have the goodness To come with III
T. You shall he shod afresh and join III
: in n glass of ncgus before you go"
1 But. sir
= Tut | know what YOU would say
= you have treSpaSSed already and hav
V no wish 20 trespaSs further. Yer
o. we'll sir: so I've il. You shall have yOu
- way and pay the penalty. l condem
: you to a glass of neGus and new pa
of shoes"
$ And with the utmost bonhommie ii
e tiny gentleman drove Tom before hi
TO the house and through open Frenc
/ windows to q basement room where
S lamp and fire were burning and Ike
tie singing on the hob.
l. Hungry" he chirped. giving Tom
e playful push in the ribs.
Y Il had provisions in my pocket
: stammered the youth. in deep emba
Y rassment. Il shall do very well. Il
d iced. your Kindness
ie Tut. sir, tut. You will please II
II best by saying no more about tina
Is You are hungry. and shall order "
II something upstairs. But here's Il
e cherry and there's the boiling wate
&c You can brew your own negus viii
II / am gone, and this is todays AdvC
v tiSer. Make yourself ut home. | beg
Is And. with twinkling eyes and bri!
n gestures, the little old gentleman
t, parted. of all Toms good Samaritan
lie assuredly the prince and king.
No sooner was he alone than To
Il caught up the Advertiser and -four
half 4 column about the murder. an
lie yes, there was his name. The Adcoc
IN had volunteered it. together with fl
description. whose accuracy Tempt
n Tom not to wait for his. supper. but