davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story.
"Gilson's Little Girl. by Lulu Johnson.
copyrighted, 1905 by E. C. Parcells)

"My little girl" Gibson called her to
himself, and of all in the human tide
that twice a day swept through the
gates of that section of the concourse
devoted to the suburban traffic the
gateman liked best the little blue eyed
girl. She reminded him so strongly
of that other little blue eyed girl who
in happier day had greeted bis COM
ings and goings and had called him
father"
That was before the tunnel wreck
three years back, when they had car
ried her and her mother home-two
victims of the worst disaster the road
had ever known.
The claim agent had learned that
Gibson was without work and had set
tied the damage claimed by providing
him with life position as gateman
on the big station. Ever since then
Thomas ellison had watched the tide
of humanity ebb and flow through the
| iron gates and had found solitude in
| the crowd
Until the blue eyed girl had come
not quite three months before, he had
| watched indifferently the hurryine
throng. The busy clicking of his
punch kept time to the dull monotone
of the announcer's megaphonic voice
Then one night he glanced up into
the face of a girl so like his own dead
! daughter that his punch dropped from
his nerveless hands, and he held then
| forth yearningly if unconsciously.
The ring of the metal on the con
| crete pavement reused him. His hand:
| dropped to his side, and he took up hi:
| dull routine of inspecting tickets. bu
| the grimy train shed, with it's smok,
stained walls and its wastes of cinde
| bed tracks, held new interest TO
| him.
The monthly ticket which she pre-
| sented was brand new and proclaimed
her a recruit to the army of worker
who daily took their places in tn
city's commercial field, and he knew
that each night he should see her conn
hurrying down the concourse towart
| the gate.
| Later, when she learned that the reg
ular commuters never displayed thei
tickets, she would perhaps give hin
| the little nod and smile of friendl,
recognition that the more experiences
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

One phase of the enormous appro-
priations made by congress in these
days is the amount expended either in
payment of past wars or in prepare
ton for future and possibly imaginary
wars. AS it stands today, more than
Go per cent of the revenues of the ma
ton go to the payment of pensions
and the administration of the pension
department, to new appropriations for
battleships, to the army and to all
that stands for armed conflicts between
civilized nations. Mark the figure, 50
per cent. Undoubtedly the nation
should stand for recompense to its
soldiers and to those dependent upon
soldiers wounded or slain Undoubt-
eddy the nation should have proper
means of self-defense, but the figures
seem somewhat eXtortionate.
A nation after all is only an aggre-
cation of individuals, even as a great
corporation is an aggregation of indi-
Viduals. What corporation would use 65
per cent of its income for police pro-
lection?
If President Roosevelt has his way
and four battleships are built this
year, Mr.. Tawney's estimate of $780,
100000 will be exceeded by nearly $780,
100000 However, this is the price of
glory. If One-tenth of the money spent
in paying for past wars and preparing
for others could be expended on the
development of interior waterways,
the Mississippi to the gulf and the
head of the great lakes to the sea, the
country would no longer have a rail-
road problem, and its rapidly growing
prosperity would enable it still to de-
fend it's coasts, that it need not fear
aggression from outside.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
A NEW PLACE SUGGESTED
Boating Club May Locate Harbor Near
Twelfth Street.

A new place for boat harbor has
been discovered by the committee in
charge of the matter, and this makes
it possible for the members of the club
to choose between several desirable
locations at the meeting which is to
be held tonight at the Turner hall.
The new location is at the foot of
Twelfth street and is in many ways
the best place considered thus far.
The bank is good and the water is
deep at all times, while it is far enough
away from the ferry to escape the eff
fects of it's waves. 1t is under private
control and the owners are willing
that it be used for harbor. The 9th
er two places on which the committee
will report are the triangle and the
block below the waterworks.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
Vast Wealth in Water.

BY adopting a constructive policy
With regard to the waterways of the
state, Illinois has made tardy, but
still timely admission of the fact that
its water highways are assets as valu-
able as its land highways.
The people of the state, keenly alive
to the worth of their public franchises
in general, have been content that
their officials should ignore the wealth
Producing water properties which
must be regarded as essentially and
Inherently the properties of the whole
Beople and, as such, improperly pos
sessed by few to the dispossession
of the many.
AS carriers of commerce and a.
producers of power the streams o.
Illinois have a value which ever
now is but vaguely comprehended
As producers of power on turbine
wheels the rivers, thus far considered
by engineers as available, are rated
by rough estimate, as representing al
investment of $176, 50GOO0O.
III lHe pIOJSCt VI river REHABILITATION
upon which the state has entered
dealing with only two of the streams
potential values representing, by ;
conservative estimate an investmen
OF s69,200,000, or by not unreasona
bic estimate, an investment of $50
100000 are involved-they being capa
bic of returning to the state from So
100000 to $4,00O,000 annually.
An important article by Governo
Charles S. Deneen of Illinois open
thus, as the leading feature of tn
Technical World magazine. Governo
Deneen deals with Illinois great waite
wealth in way to open the eyes. no
only of Illinoisans, but of citizens O
other states, to possibilities that ar
nothing less than astounding.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

always vouchsafed the guardian of the
gate. GilsonB memory for faces was
remarkable. He knew all of the COM
muters by sight and had nod for
each
1t was not long before ellison got
her trains" She came in on the S:2I.
and every night she hurried to catch,
the 6:45. Sometimes she was late and
missed that train, having to wait for
| the 7:5S and thereby missing also her
dinner
She.never went out for dinner when
she missed the earlier train, but sat II
the great marble waiting room.- Gil
son, quick to deduce, knew that the
money she earned was SO sorely need
ed at home that she could not spare
| the sum that would buy an extra meal
in town.
The old gateman did not go on duty
until o'clock in the morning, but he
was always there now at S:2I. stand
| ing by the exit gate when the subur-
| ban trains came rolling in, and that
| was how he came to know that Met
calf was becoming interested in her.
Usually they came together down
the platform, and only a glance at the
| girls face was needed to tell that she
| liked Metcalf Later on Metcalf took
| to going out on the Gas instead on the
6:43, which was an express and stop
ped only at the more important sta
tons. No matchmaking mother ever
watched the social progress of her
1 Il iait ha =,
did ellison watch the growth of love
between Metcalf and Miss TraynOr. :
He had known Metcalf he had learn
Led the names on the Communication tick
ets) ever since he had come to the sta
ton. Metcalf seemed a nice, steady
going young fellow, for he seldom wait
ed over until the theater train, and
each morning his eye was clear and his
hand steady. His appearance betoken-
ed his prosperity, and Gibson rejoice1
that his little girl was making so good
a match.
Then came the day when the little
girl came down the platform by her
self, her head held high and her cheeks
flaming. Metcalf fingered in the rear
and he, too, was flushed and angry
Gilson's heart was troubled, though he
tried to tell himself that all would be
made smooth that night.
But it was not made smooth. Met
calf did not appear until just in time
| for the 1903. and there We're traces OF
tears on the little girls face as she
passed through the gate to take the
Gas.
Once during the week they boil
came in by the same train, but Metcalt
was in the smoker and the little CIR
was in the last car.
She tried very hard to look as though
she did not care. but Gilson's SHARP
eyes could see the change, and he wor
i ried so that he let a fussy old lad,
/ take the next accommodation in the be
lief that it was the through express
which fact was duly reported to head
5 quarters and resulted in Gilson's beini
forced to economic for a week to GOV
5 er his fine
IL Then came the night when the littl
t girl, hurrying to catch her train. foun
: the gate shut just as she approached.
You are meanw she cried, with
= stamp of her tiny foot. 81 could nav
l made it easy"
"Orders to close the gate on signal,
e reminded Gibson stolidly.
: "But the train had not started {
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
love," she stormed, pointing to thr

move" she stormed, pointing to the
tracks.
I'm sorry'-Gilson's voice was ful:
of apparent concern-"orders are t"
close the gate on signal.'
1--WE gone through lots of times"
she reminded him. They don't start
until the passengers are all on. Often
I've just made it. You used to be
obliging. Now shall have to wait for
the 7:5S; more than an hour. / shall
report you TO the Office"
DUTY" murmured ellison, trying to
look properly regretful, for he saw
Metcalf passing through the swinging
doors of the waiting room.
Il shall report you just the same"
declared the Little girl as she turned
away to come face to face with Met
calf
Lost your train?" cried Metcalf-
THAT is a shame, The service on this
| road is a disgrace. There is not an
other train that stops at your station
| for over an hour"
81 am not in the habit of discussing
my Inconvenience with strangers" de-
clared the little girl, with a toss of
her head. as she moved away.
Metcalf followed, and as ellison NOV
ed over to the other gate where the
| express was made up he smiled in sat
| isfaction. for had he not heard Met
calf declare that. angry or no, she
must come across the street for a cup
of tea and n bite to eat?
/
they came into the concourse again.
and Gilson's face fairly glowed as he
caught the look of happiness In their
| eyes.
| The train had been called, and the
gate was open, but the little girl did
not pass through.
you did it on purpose" she accused
smilingly as she laid gentle hand on
Gilsons sleeve. And to think that
threatened to report you! You must
have thought me little cat"
DUTY to close the gate when the
signal is given" said ellison mechan-
ically, but the little girl saw only the
twinkle in his eyes. and she raised her.
self upon the tips of her little patent
feathers.
It's all right again, thanks to you, u
she whispered. I'VE will be married
after Easter. and you must come to
the wedding"
Blushingly she hurried through the
gate. Metcalf pressed the toll worn
hands as he followed after, and to Gil.
son, watching them go down the plat
form through the film of glad tears
that yelled his eyes, it seemed that the
changing of bells, the hiss and roar OF
escaping steam and the babel of cries
resolved into one grand wedding march
for Ibis little girl"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
No Use to Die.

81 have found out that there is no
use to die of lung trouble as long as
you can get DR.. Kings New Discov-
cry" says Mrs. ]. P. White of Rush
boro, Pa 81 would not be alive today
only for that wonderful medicine. 1t
loosens up a cough quicker than any
thing else, and cures lung disease even
after the case is pronounced helpless"
This most reliable femedy for coughs
and colds, lagrip, asthma, bronchitis
and hoarseness, is sold under guaran-
tee at all druggists. so cents and 81.
Trial bottle free. q
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
WAS DIVER ON MISSISSIPPI
Captain J. j. Wall Passes Away at
Benton. Wash.

Captain ]. j. Wall who died Monday
at the home of his daughter in Ben
ton, Wash, was for many years well
known along the Mississippi river as
steamboat engineer, pilot, captain and
diver In the latter capacity he was
| for long time practically without
competition in this vicinity. He made
his home in Davenport for several
years, though for the greater part OF
his life he lived at Muscatine. The
remains were cremated at Benton and
will be sent to Muscatine for burial
Only three rafters, the Lizzie Gard
ner Hershey and North Star will be
left this season out of the fleet of 60
that dozen years ago piled these
waters in the same business. At one
time there were 80 rafters on the Mis-
sissippi, but the business has dwindled
Inow to practically nothing.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
what "Imperialism" Costs.

Congressman Tawney, chairman of
the committee on appropriations, is in
'sisting that the appropriations at this
session of congress shall not exceed
$9OO,0CO,0OO. This is economy! But
the congress controlled by the major
ity party just before national cleo
ton always pretends to be economical.
Everybody remembers the first cutlery
against billion dollar congress. Now
the two billion dollar congress is in
sight, becaue even if Mr.. Tawney is
able to keep his appropriations down
to the point he promises, the next
session of congress after the election
win throw the flood gates wide open
for the expenditure of public moneys.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
At Kansas City, Kan.
(BY THE PRESS COMMITTEE OF THE
ANTI LEAGUE.l

ANTI PROHIBITION LEAGUE.l
Forrest F. Cooke, leading lawyer
of Galcsburg and mayor of that city,
has written to a personal friend in
Rock Island, describing conditions
as he found them in Kansas City,
Kan. This part of the letter is as
fellows:
81 have just returned from Kansas
City, Kan, and have made n careful
study of conditions there. l don't
know whether Mr.. Trickett of Kan
sas City, Kan, has made Rock Island
visit or not. If so, he has probably
made the same speech he did here.
find that he dreadfully misrepresented
conditions there. He did shut up the
saloons, and made, in fees and other
wise. in the neighborhood of 100000 in
tdoing So He was worth nothing
three years ago, AID they tell me over
there that he is now worth $4,000.
Prohibition does not exist in Kansas
City, Kan. True, there are no saloons,
but drug stores galore, where anybody
can buy whisky as freely as in any
saloon. Beer wagons from Kansas
City. Mo, are constantly on the
streets, delivering beer to the family
trade. Kansas City, Kan, and Kansas
City, Mo-, are not, as generally sup
Iposed, separated by river. The two
lcities are separated by a street. You
Step from <Kansas City, Kan, into
Kansas City, Mo-, and right on the
Iline in Kansas City, Mo-, are % sa-
llOons on the first block. You can
reach. this point from any point in
Kansas City, Kan, in five minutes;
Iowa, from Rock Island for drink, in
case Rock Island goes dry.
The conditions in Kansas City are
lsimply additional evidence that pro-
lhibition \does not prohibit. Kansas
City, Kan, loses, 100000 in revenue
lper annum, and has just as much
drunkenness and crime as formerly
Indeed, the police reports show more
arrests for specified time after the
closing of saloons than for the same
period prior to the closing. l shall
Isend you today some pictures of con
ditions in Kansas City, Kan, and call
your attention to the statements on
the back, and assure you that the
statements made there are true from
my personal investigation. | took an
auto last Tuesday and went over the
city of Kansas City, Kan, and Argen
tine; did not, however go to all the
streets mentioned, but did see and did
make note of POS vacant buildings in
Kansas City, Kan, and 70 in Argen
tine. | visited six drug stores, and
without a question being asked, pur
chased in each place whisky 1t looks
to me to be a suicidal policy for Rock
Island to play into the hands of your
competitors across the river
PRESS COMMITTEE ANTI-PBoHI
BITION LEAGUE.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
BOTH SIDES OF THE PROHI-
BITION QUESTION
Conditions at Watseka.

LBY PRESS COMMITTEE OF LOCAL
OPTION IBAGUEl
The following letter received by
Rev. Richard S. Haney of Moline
speaks for itself:
City of Watseka, Office of Mayor,
Watseka, H., March Il, 19OS.-Rich-
ard S. Haney, Moline, ILL., Dear sir:
Answering your favor of the 10th
inst. l am gratified to be able to say
that the condition of business in our
town under no license administration
is better and far more satisfactory in
every respect than under license adj
ministratiOn. Also that there is less
want, less crime, less loafing than
under license administration. These
changed conditions are so noticeable
as to be a matter of frequent COM
nent among all classes of our citizens.
Within the past week a state
ment setting forth the improved con.
ditions as indicated above, and that
our city in every respect was in bet
ter condition financially. morally and
otherwise than under license admin
istration, was presented to all our
merchants who have been in business
under both administrations, and al
but one signed it. There is a very
general feeling among our people that
| the question of license or no license
is settled for all time with us. Yours
respectfully,
| WENDELL P. KAY, Mayor"
LOCAL OPTION PRESS COMMIT
| TEE.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
Humor ane Philosophy
BY DUNCAN N. SMITH
SOMETHING OF A PAST.

A most unpleasant creature
Is the man who knows it all.
He talks to you in private =
When he ought to hire a hall.
Then he could touch the button
And talk and talk away.
And only those need listen
Who felt inclined to pay.
His bump of egotism
Is like a cannon ball.
His fund of inforIpation
Is always at your call.
And his advice is ready
And guaranteed to fit.
Though not a soul has asked him
To shed a bunch of 1t.
He rises in a meeting,
Where things are running smooth,
And wants to switch the current
To his own private groove,
And with his explanations,
AS tangled as a skein,
He gives to all his hearers
A most decided pain
A bore from whom few meetings
And lodges are exempt, :
And one is always tempted
To treat him with contempt,
But If he puts your patience
To too much of tax
The better way to treat him
Is with a large, bright ak.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
PERSONAL POINTS.

n. Ps<Anderson Of Cambridge is in
the city today.
Miss Grace SdTTfer arrived home last
night after an extended visit with rel,
atives in Goshen, Ind
Mrs. l. NJ. Lobenstein and daughter
Margareth are guests at the home OF
Mr. and Mrs. NJ. c. Rice.
Miss Lonnie B. Hamilton of New
York has arrived to attend the funeral
| of her brother, Harry Hamilton.
Rev. |. r. Hicks. who has been con.
iducting the revival meetings at Sher
rard, left for Topeka this morning.
Mrs. S. ]. Hawthorne and daughter
Miss Sadie, are here from Chillicothe
the guests of Mrs. F. G. Weeks, 2411
Sixth avenue.
Captain Don B. Shaw, who has been
with Collins Bros construction forces
! in Oklahoma, has returned home, the
work being finished.
Rev. J. B. Rutter. formerly pastor
of the Spencer Memorial Methodist
church here, was in the city today
from Peoria calling on friends.
Mrs. M. A. Patterson and daughter
Charlotte of Chicago are on short
visit here. Miss Patterson gave a read
ing at the banquet of the railroad mer
last evening She will give a reading
at the Memorial Christian church Mon
day night.
| Albert M. Brandenburg departed las
night for Drummond, Mont, after {
months visit at home. He will return
to his duties with Rosser & Whitaker
railway contractors, who are building
the joint extension of the milwaukee,
and Great Northern roads.
r. r. Smith of BrOokfield, Mo, one
of the popular directors of the Modern
Woodmen, and who. happily for Rocl
Island, makes the city his official resi-
ldence for a period each month, is en-
Toying visit from his son, Calvin o
Smith, who is a university student il
| Chicago
Earl Bowlby returned home toda!
from Chicago university for a 10 days
vacation. Mr.. Bowlby, who is prepar
ing for masters degree. has beer
isignally honored by election to mem
bership in the Tigers club, an organ
ization open only to those who hav,
won recognition as musical composers
| Only One "Bromo Quinine."
That is Laxative Bromo Quinine
lLook for the signature of E. w. Grove
Used the world over to cure a cold il
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

All the statisticians of the admins
tration are figuring on the votes that
Taft will get in the convention, and
the other fellows are figuring on the
votes he won't get Why not make it
unanimous by nominating Mr.. Roose,
welt for third term?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
Good Reason.

81 notice you always smoke cigars"
said the man with the black brier. :
Eyes; I can't smoke pipe"
Don't like emp
Eyes, but / can't smoke EN-"
BURN your tongue"
NO" q
whats the reason, thenw
my wife won't let me-"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
SOCIAL AFFAIRS

GSociety news, written or telephoned
to the society editor of The Argus, will
be gladly received and published. But
in either case the identity of the sender
must be made known, to insure relia-
bility. Written notices must bear sig
nature and address,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

Kodol is a scientific preparation of
vegetable acids with natural digestants
and contains the same juices found in
a healthy stomach. Each dose will
digest more than 5000 grains of good
food. Sold by all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

How is it possible to speak the truth
when it has ever been an impossibility
to get together two well informed men
who will unanimously agree as to
what the truth Is?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

AS a general proposition the man
who has a scared and diffident look is
the honest man trying to do business.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
THE ARGUS.

Published Daily and Weekly at 1924
Second avenue. Rock Island, Ill. IEn-
tered at the postofice as second-class
ma teri
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

Don't imagine you can carry the
world on your shoulders. Give the
rest of the folks a chance to lift with
you.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

The gentleman who has charge OF
the republican full dinner pail par
AIDES this year will have his work cut
out for him.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
Varieqated.

If striving after greatness
The Chinaman got blue,
'Twould be a yellow peril
OF quite another hue.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
Her Luncheon.

Mary had a little lamb.
1t cost a mint of money.
Her escort felt like saying-well, ;
1t would have sounded funny. T
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

When a man has to swallow his
pride and eat his words he doesn't
have much appetite for anything else.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20

The tariff protected trusts that sell
abroad cheaper than they do at home
are the foremost promoters of the
home market" idea.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
Charity For Home Folks.

"Would you consider grating the
same as stealing?"
THAT would depend on whether l or
some one else was profiting by it."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
PERT PARAGRAPHS.

The people who don't mean any
harm are by no means necessarily the
harmless kind.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
Why is the county broker"

A skunk by any other name would
smell as rank.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
Right Up TO Date.

THAT asylum for the deaf and dunn
has all of the modern conveniences."
THAT is nice"
"They even have dumb walters"