Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-02
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
Playing Hunch-By Colin S. Collins.
Copyrighted 1908. by Associated Literary Press

His name was James Gisman West
colt, but his friends insisted that the
middle initial stood for Goat" for
Jim's cheerful desire to be of service
to his fellow man was forever getting
him into trouble.
His misfortune in this regard had
caused him to delay his declaration of
love for Alma Sheldon. When man.
however innocently, is forever playing
the clown he does not stand an excel
lent chance Of being regarded as
romantic and eligible person matri-
monially
The worst Of it was that Jimmie nev-
or learned by experience. He was as
ready as ever to change a ten dollar
bill for Il stranger after having been
caught with counterfeit the day be-
fore, and that he was not always swim
died was proof sufficient to him that
the world was not always to be regard
ed with suspicion.
And SO it happened that when a
strange woman on the suburban sta
ton platform thrust child in his
arms and begged him to take it to her
charge.
I'D ask some lady to take him. OK
planned the woman, only there don't
seem to be none going in on this
train"
That's all right" was Westcotts
cheerful response. There will he some
one on the train If | need help with
this little shaver. but he looks us
though he was going to be as good as
gold
Followed by the woman's voluble
thinks, Jimmie climbed aboard the
train and hoped that none of his set
would select the same car.
He did not dare go near the smoker
so he ensconced himself in the rear seat
of the last car and thanked his good
fortune that the through train stopped
at the stations most favored by the
people he knew. Those who. like him
self, were going to the Tavor-Hard-
ing. wedding would prefer the exclu
siveness of the Pullmans carried on
tic l'ilil
The baby vas good tempered and
playful. and Wostcott was having the
time of his life whe6 1he train came 10
a halt at the first station and an in
coming passenger uttered shout and
bore down. upon him. 1t was Bep
Register. with a party of the wedding
guests.
bN ch fnd OF
| tracing the attention of his compan-
| ions This IS rich. Jim. / never sup
posed that you would fall for the aban-
| donment game"
His mother is to meet me at the
station" explained Westcott. misera-
bly, conscious of the fact that Miss
| Sheldon had boarded the train. "She
and get the child. He's been having q
vacation in the country at his aunt's
because the hot weather in town Is bad
for him"
That's Il better story than the aver
age" agreed his tormentor. when yot
get to town. Jim, turn him over TO the
desk sergeant at the nearest station
/ hOuSC. Ou Ii NC idtC Iva luc4 NtDuiu-
by the time that you have explained
all about it,
How did you come to be ON thi.
train:' demanded Westcott 81 had in
tended to run down to your station
and take the express myself"
Train was late. and the stop wa
cut out" explained Ben Royster CIV,
kicked when we heard 1t. but we ar,
glad now. wouldn't have missed thi
for million Pullman cars"
The noisy speech and the presence o
the score of people crowding abou
Westcott's seat reused the tiny tray
eler. His eyes wrinkled, and from tn
button of mouth there was emitted
yell which was scarcely heard abov
the delighted shouts of the little AT
dience. The fresh outburstStected til