Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-27
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
Mans Experiment.-By Ceci1y Allen.
Copyrighted 1908. by Associated Literary Press.

THE foundations of our social sys-
tenn are rotten to the corew announced
Nan, leaning forward in the great
wicker chair to watch the progress of
the little Italian across the velvety
lawn.
Her brother Bob sank even more
deeply in his own cushioned chair and
studied the smoke curling upward from
the tip of his very good cigar.
II told Uncle Henry this would bs
the inevitable result or sending you to
a western coed college. The social
system here is quite good enough for
me-"
Mans broad forehead was puckered
in thoughtful frown.
"Now. take that young Italian fore
man of yours. for instance! What
puts him in different class from you?
The fact that his father had not
enough money to feed his big family
and your father had too much money
for the good of his two children
Really" remarked Bob, with eyes
| dancing, Il never noticed any COM
plants from you about superiority of
cash"
| "Give that man a Fifth avenue tai
\ Tor, valet and motor car and he
would pass muster in our set shoulder
to shoulder with you.'
II don't know about that" pursued
Bob. He might eat with his knife
| Not after he had been told it was
wrong" said Nan, with conviction.
Suppose he were wearing corduroy
for shooting instead of digging exca-
vations. Suppose he were wearing
shirt sleeves on tennis court or the
links instead of in your employ. He
would be a gentleman. one of your
| equals. He would look not whit
different from what he does today, but
we would accept him socially where
today we regard him as our Inferior
Bob cast amused glances at a cor
ner in the porch roof where two birds
| were busily building a nest among the
vines. And this is the modern wo-
mantle effect of the higher educa.
tion," he murmured.
1t might have been the birds. cooling
and commended. or 1t might have just
been the love of mischief which some
men never outgrow even when, like
Robert Darnton, they can count iron
gray hairs by the score above each
temple. At any rate. he sat up very
Isuddenly and determinedly and regard
ed his sister quite seriously.
Have you the courage of your con
victions? Are you willing to put your
theory to the test? Will you let me
invite my foreman here as an equal
provided, of course. that l secure the
stipulated Fifth avenue tailoring. the
man and the motor?"
Good gracious. Bob. you move sc
suddenly" suggested Nan.
mo time like the present. and in.
sist that any one who attacks our SO
cial system should prove its rottenness
when she has the opportunity. l will
invite my foreman here as guest.
will agree that he is properly coached
tor his part tit would not be fair tc
turn him loose on our unsuspectins
guests without some training), and Their
| will wager you a diamond sunbursi
! against q crocheted tie that you ash
me to put him out of the house before
the week IS up"
Mans glance Travelled once more
. across the expanse of green lawn
The 1.-the figure of the Italian wa:
just disappearing behind a clump Of
, ishrNbbery. Well, in appearance, a
least, he could do the house of Darn
ton no discredit. Anyhow, why shouit
girl who was planning settlement
work for the fall shrink at the though
J .of having one lease" in her home 70
Ia few days? She would have to liy,
amonE. ttsnl-in, the. fall!
= Well?' inquired Bob, watching hs