davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
The Argus Daily Short Story
Her Choice-By Clarissa Mackie.
Copyrighted, 1905. by Associated Literary Press.

Be;a Lewis WIS lost.
On every side were sand and crisp
rown vegetation and the hopeless
less of the Arizona desert. Overhead
were Il cloudless blue sky and a burn
ing sun.
Beth's red lips closed resolutely as
she urged her tired horse along the
family defined trail which had led
her astray.
I'VE will make for that little can
yOn. Lightfoot-that little break in the
rise beyond" said Beth. stroking the
shiny black name. "Perhaps-perhaps-
there will be shade and water for us
there"
When miles of burning sand had
been traversed she rode down the dry
bed of water course and into the
small canyon. Her heart sank. for
there was nothing save an expanse of
shimmering sand and some tall, spiny
cactus on the steep, rocky sides.
But the large leaved cactuses might
afford some shelter from the sun. and
she urged Lightfoot to the edge of the
shimmering sand. There he paused
and snorted shrilly. Another step and
his feet sank In the yielding sand.
With scream of terror the beast set
tied back on his launches and then
made an Intellectual leap forward.
Beth shot over his head and fell n
crumpled heap on the ground beyond
the outer circle of shimmering sand
When she recovered consciousness
Lightfoot was struggling shoulder
deep in the quicksand. his strained
'eyes turned in agony upon her face.
She turned away and sobbed her
heiplcssness into her hands. When
she looked again there was nothing
saye the yellow sand undulating in the
sunlight.
How horrible it was, IL Lightfoot
had not tossed her over his head into
sarety she. too. might have been drawn
beneath those treacherous quicksanGs.
But was her lot much better, alone,
afoot. without food or water, lost in a
wild canyon. on one side of which rose
a precipitous wall OF rock and on the
other. cutting off escape, the quick
sand?
The sun moved slowly away from
the canyon. but the sitting heat did
not abate. The rocky walls reflected
the binding glare and intensified its
unbearableness.
Pale and languid, Beth leaned back
against u rock and looked with
dreamy eyes toward the mouth Of the
canyon. where help might come-if it
came in time.
Surely some one at the ranch house
which she had left after breakfast for
her morning canter. would attempt to
find her. Would it be Buck Hayden
or Judson Bailey?
She pictured the. two men. loose
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

, Iimbed and graceful. stretching along
the neckS of their horses with eyes
alert for glimpse of the girl they
both loved and were fighting for with
amicable rivalry Together they had
courted Beth Lee with certain dog
ged persistence. and she felt somehow
that side by side they would come
searching for her.
The sunlight was still glowing on the
opposite wall of the canyon when they
came riding through the narrow open
face !leenly alert
At his flank rode Buck Hayden. his
sunburned countenance grim with anx-
tety. His jaws were set, and all of
his homely features were knotted with
care
Beth's heart Quickened as they sight
ed her and whooped joyously. She
leaped TO her feet and sprang toward
them.
"The quicksand" she cried sharply
You cannot cross. Lightfoot went
down there" She pointed with trem
bling fingers at the quivering sand a,
her feet.
The two men halted at the edge .;
the sand and looked up and down the
canyon. Their eyes met, and Judson
Bailey's face blanched to dull gray.
Buck Haydens jaw set firmly.
we can't get her any other way
One o. us III nave to cross here. .Jud. :
He looked the other man SQuarely 81
The eye.
Bailey licked his dry lips and tried tc
smile. He looked at the wide exparst
OF paipitating sand and then across a
the girl.
ASK her." he said suddenly
Buck Hayden's face paled. Beth
he called thickly, zone of us has go,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
The Nations Drink Bill.

The American Grocer's annual COM
pilation of figures showing the con-
sumption and the cost of alcoholic
drinks in the United States has been
issued for the fiscal year ending June
90 last. 1t shows a decrease in the
per capita consumption of such bever-
ages of SO gallons. about equally bal
anced as between malt and spirituous
liquors. This is the first check that
The consumption of alcoholic stimu-
lants has received in 20 years. when
The per capita consumption was 1865
gallons. In 1907. the year of maximum
consumption. it was 2S.54 gallons. Last
year it was 23.01 Desirable as may
be decline in the use of liquors, We
fear" says the Grocer, 1.-The small de-
bard times than increased observance
of temperance or total abstinence
While the total number of gallons
lof beer consumed last year was the
highest on record the increase in
population was great enough TO slight
ly reduce its per capita use from
2123 to 2097 gallons. The per capita
consumption of spirits fell OF 10 gal.
Ions below 1907. The lespair:ag cor.
ciGsion is reached by the Grocer that
the small reduction in the per capita
Quantity of alcoholic stimulants con.
sumed does not indicate that the cam.
Ipaign against the saloon. the enact:
ent OF high license Or prohihitl~e
laws Is having very much effect. We
WISH 1t were otherwise. but he con
Vietion grows that the liquor question
Is one of morals and not of law"
| AS the nation grows the drink bill
grows. The estimated retail cost OF
alcoholic drinks in 1899 was 1919. $50,
csc and for 1908 S1,524. 1872 1929. During
This period when population increased
| i2.SIl.392 or over II per cent, the es
timated cost of stimulants increased
l$550.S03,S49. or over 5Gh per cent
The average drink bill per family OF
i've was $19.77 last year, or $96.65 foi
the last five years.
| The tendency is decidedly toward 4
decreased use of whisky. Two-third-
Ioi the nations drink bill Gncludine
the outlay for tea and coffee) is fol
beer and other mild stimulants. TIL,
prospect is Of an increase i'm brewer
les and decrease in distilleries. That
there is less consumption of fiery spir
its is the most hopeful fact presented
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

to cross over after you. Whish one
10 you want? It's q good chance TO
make chOicer'
Beth was trembling with agitation.
Don't ask me. l can't choose" she
cried appealingly.
You've got to choose" said Buck
grimly.
Let Judson come" she said family.
hiding her face In her hands.
Bucks hands dropped to his sides
as he turned to his successful rival.
I'm out Of it. judi" he said hoarse-
ly. "I'll stand by to help you II you
get In trouble. Will your mare make
it?''
Bailey was staring with horror strick-
en- eyes at the crawling. beckoning.
shifting particles of sand at his feet.
Death by that slow torture would be-
"Will your mare make it," repeated
Buck impatiently.
"Sure to-" responded Bailey. tighten
ing his rein with a jerk.
Ready. Them said Hayden. iii
stand by. Jud-remember that"
With muttered ejaculation OF ter
ror. JudsOn Bailey wheeled his horse
and spurred toward the canyons
mouth. In minute he had disap
peared from view.
IN have to come after you any
way, Beth" said Buck quietly ss
She watched with bated breath as
the sorrel sprang forward and then
sank on the opposite side with scraip
bling feet.
Again the sorrel lowered over the
quicksand and once more clattered to
footing, and then slowly. with Beth
before him i'm the saddle. Buck Hay
den rode out of the canyon with mis-
cradle eyes fixed straight ahead. un
seeing. uncaring.
The heavens were thick with stars
when they neared the ranch house
and then for the first time Buck ad
| dressed the girl sitting rigidly silent
before him. her bright hair so near t.
his beating heart
Pm sorry about what happened
| Beth" he said in low voice. IF eve
catch up with that coyote I'll''-
A soft hand covered his lips. lie
him alone, Buck" whispered Beth
Il am ashamed to tell you how selfisi
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
A Special Election.

Springfield Register: Governor De
neen has called special election n
the 4th supreme judicial district te
fill the vacancy on the supreme bench
caused By the death of Justice Guy O.
Scott of Aledo.S Judge Scott was one
OF the two democratic jndges-five OF
the. seven judges composing the court
being republicans. A spirit of political
fairness would dictate that Judge
SCOTS successor should be demo
|trat And the State Register believes
that spirit of fairness will be exercised
by the voters of the district whatever
the republican politicians may do as
10 nominating a candidate of theil
!party, if the democrats select as theil
nominee a man who is recognized &:
possessing those qualifications that :,
supreme court justice should have
While politics do not and should no
affect nor control the opinions and de
cisions of the supreme judges, the peo
lrle as a whole would be better salts
fled with a bench divided POLITICAL,
than with one composed of members o
lone political party.
There is an abundance of able dem
Ccratic lawyers in the 4th district an,
and the voters of that party in tn.
district should see to it that their ca
Cidate is man of recognized lega
ability and high personal characte.
The fair-minded republicans of the dis
uict will vote for such a democrat an,
| he can be elected.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
VARIES IN QUANTITY.
A Cord of Wood Is a Rather Uncer-
tain Proposition.


When Is a cord not a cord?
To the farmer harvesting his small
wood lot and to the man laying in iogi
for the large fireplace Of his country
or seaside home, to the paper manu-
facturer buying pulp wood and TO the
proprietor of the ordinary city wood
yard. to all OF these men this question
has an important financial meaning.
Queer to say and contrary to the be-
lief of most people, there are many
times when cord Is less than cord
and many conditions when it Is more
School arithmetics say that cord of
wood is 1913 cubic feet. or the con-
tents of pile eight feet long. four feet
high and four feet wide. Wood Is mar
keted on this basis. A pile whose
length, breadth and height multiplied
together gives this number of cubic
feet fills this requirement, no matter
whether the sticks are long or short.
,.luight or crooked, round or split. I'M
| oo,s. mere Is an understanding to the
- Nevertheless, a cord. though
up TO legal measurements 10
er'ain Quantity, even Who, ~
fed eser salts
A lumberman may have a trao. :,
pulp wood which he sells to a pane,
mill at SIS cord for as many cords as
1t will make. /. 1t is in the contract tina,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

Married preachers has boys who fy.e
like the devil. Preachers who are sim
gle get married to keep from having
to dodge the wimen. Preachers like
chicken when furnished by the men,
bers; hit you on thee back and call
you Mi brother also on the pocitbuk.
We ave preacher in our chirch an
will talk old folks to slepe. Our
preacher whistles when he talks an
one Sunday he kept 3 dogs runnin'
round in chirch trying to find who wus
whislin fur them. Ii ended in fyte
an | lafft. But ! shall nevr do so noe
moar when mi father are thare''
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Small Roy ON Preachers.

opinion boy over in Iowa has his
the oppo't ua, preachers. and he had
press il in unity aa, the other dav to CIV.
.o an low W. an essay that is acco ~ ok.
,aa1 80 Iva exchange, which ner,,nl :
,,ay De considered doubtful aa ptrmaps
however. as the preachers will nr.s.
aofy enjoy it is much as other readers
here it is:
he preachers are the man who
saves our soul an never cusses in nut
lick He are the Teller whot helps tn
wimen rum the chirch and he ware
BACK clothes and a sollem loos
Eyerie Sunday he gifts up in chirch an
warns you to prepair to go to heavil
no matter where you mite ruther &c
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
The Main Thjno.


You may not be so brilliant
So dazzling as TO dim
Electric light exhibits
That blazing store fronts trim:
Fame from it's heights immortal
You may not proudly tear,
But YOU can he a winner
lr you axe Oh the square.
II isn't doubtful scheming
That you may get ahead
That brings YOU satisfaction
When in your triindle he'd.
What locks like easy money
May not turn out An cheap
II after You have spent II
II robS YOU OF your sleep.
In giving and In taking
fou know what's right or wrong
Withnnr the legal papers
To put il clear and strong.
II In your private ledger.
800 Mhers truth ynu cannot hiu6
II isn't marked as meaHness
That's doing well enough.
II doesn't take a genius,
A marvel strong and great.
Upon a bit of paper
To mark n line that's straight.
The plodder is more likely
The person who wilt wear
And he at last the winner
If he Is ON the square.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

We pray to he protected from the
man who thinks a funny story is q
balm for ali troubles.
Just brlns what you seem to be fools
lots Of people Sometimes 81 -
-
Having a regard for appearances
sometimes results in disapPearances.
One would think the dove Of peace a
bird very hard to snare from all the
talk that is being made about II.
The man who would rather die than
not sooner or later gets his choice.
Eating some mackerel, we would
judge they put salt on it's tail to catch
It, 80
Some press agents are go extremely
active that their work should be sup
plemented 10y that Of suppress agent
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
It means health to you.
e e q PURIFIES
0.0.0. BAD BLOOD

of
becomes infected
follow
fluid,
bad blood
discharged
fbres
blood purified
entirely cn
and particle
vitality steadily
excess OF acid IN the blood m1ng it
nnty Acne,
disease Book
THE SWIFT SPECIFIC CO., ATLANTA GA
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

That wonderful public utilities com
mission for Greater New York has
decided that the street car company
can charge 10 cents TO COney island
the city's greatest recreation resort
on Saturdays and Sundays, but only
:s7eents on the days when hardly any
Eody is free to go there
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

One hundred thousand dollars If
graft money in Indiana is likely 20
go to charity. The member of the
legislature to whom ii is alleged to
have been paid is dead So there IS
no evidence against the agent of the
American Tobacco company. who. { f
course, refuses to claim the cash. The
faint on the money is likely to be re-
moved by the purposes to which IL will
be devoted.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
InfIammatory rheumatism Cured L
Three Days. ga,

Morton L. HILL, of Lebanon, Ind,
says: my wife had inf1ammatory rheu.
matism in every muscle and joint; her
suffering was terrible and her body anc
face were swollen almost beyond rec
ognition; had been IN bed for six weeks
and had eight physicians, but received
no benefit until she tried DR.. Detch.
on's Relief for Rheumatism. 1t gave
immediate relief and she was able to
walk about in three days. l am sure
it saved her life" Sold by Otto Grot-
ian. 1901 Second avenue. Rock Island !;
Gust Schlegel & Son, 220 West Sec
ond street. Davenport.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Figuratively speaking three

Figuratively speaking. three nations
France, England and America
shook hands in amity at Ticonderoga,
where each had battled with the other
in days gone by. Peace was the theme
OF the orators. President Taft and Am
bassadors Bryce and Jusserand The
three powers, acting together. can dc
much to keep the peace their spokes
men so eloquently laud.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

WHEN SHE LOOKED AGAIN THERE WAS
NOTHING BUT THE YELLOW SAND.
| am. but I chose Judson because
/ was afraid did not want you to
take the risk
She paused. and the rest of the sen
tence was whispered within Buck
Hayden's encircling arms.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

Was Taft's tariff promise meaning
less? Was il a mere bait for votes ?
His answer will be his action upon
the tariff BILL
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

Did you notice that the day before
Rockefeller gave that extra $4,000, 001
Standard Oil raised the price of saso-
line one cent a gallon?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
A Confession.

a Confession. -
II hear you called me CRATER"
''You are"
'.What proof have Won goti"
.'Circumstantial evidence"
''What 1t isl"
THAT you didn't knock me down
when 1 called you one.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Il Made Her crisvs.

Respectable Deacon wish that
young Canon Mayberry wasn't obliged
to preach to such II small congregation.
Frivolous Widow-So do !. Eyery
time he said dearly beloved tiIis
morning | felt as II ! bad received q
proposal.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

Republicans are attempting 10 make
themselves believe that President Tat
will veto the tariff bill. About that
we shall see.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

Milwaukee bottle blowers have de-
claied against prohibition. which. in {,
sense. disputes the claim that under
prohibition every fellow has his bottle.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

A Judge has decided stealing an um
brella is a crime. But umbrellas ar
taken, not stolen.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Humor and
Philosophy
- DUNCAN ~. SMITH
PERT PARAGRAPHS.
AN ~. .sMsrs

REING genius may be Ideal, but u
is shooting over everybody's head
and hitting you don't know what.
Home is the place where some men
seldom go and never stay.
There may be pleasure In the path.
less wood. but there is apt to be rup.
ture by the lonely shore IL it is lonely
enough to make people get on each
others nerves.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

the oil
vi 10.
AS 5 weary. a who
Who carries the Ceiling AZ the
Who carries anew each burden when counting
them Ger alone.
trudging through bog
stumbling on oruising stone
AS a who is travel remembers the
o goes simple that
and shy.
The faith that he held in innocence with
a doubling "Why?"
When valley and hill and forest and everything
that
Was woncirously rich with breathing truth. and
all of that truth his;
When twilight and dawn peaceful. and his
the dreaming stars
The faith that he held unconsciously
his soul had
AS who weary g
lonely height,
And lOngirgly looks the stretching that
ends in the facing light
And for the pleasant pathways a
he sought out their end
The faith that he held honest hold
He turns to the unforgoter, years
wrought
And seeks the was -
simple
==ZZ
eea esssz @s--=z===-
w
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

The most comfortable things in the
world are old shoes and old friends.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Stung

Oh, I Ike Ia shirk.
And | like TO loaf,
And I like to take my ease.
But l have Ia work
I'm u blooming oaf-
Eur I have to raise the breeze!
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

Probably Mr.. Cullom thinks Rhode
Island is better state than Illinois.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
THE ARGUS.

Published Daily and Weekly at 1924
Second avenue, Rock island. Ill. lEn-
tered at the postofice as second-class
matter.l
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Later lrformation.

-Jueby is inclined to let his daugh-
ter have her own way in love affairs.
He, says she shall marry whom she
Ill &c
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Roounsiranu.

"What makes you so foolishy'
'sWhy. 1 was born that way What
caused yoursg" ~
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
No Curiosity.

No Curiosity.
"You can't gel along with himY
"N0.''
"Why don't you show him the door?"
'Oh, he's seen it,"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

Standard Oil is trying to pour oil
into butter.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Twins.

"Yqs; have seen much OF tho seamy
side OF life
What is it like?
much ike the other kind with the
polish rubbed OF
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
This is Cerena
Coupon Day

don't fail to cut the coupon in
this paper and take it to your
grocer and exchange for a rs
cent package of Cerena free.
1t means health to you.
NOTE-The Cerena coupon is good at
any grocer's. wherever located. so cut il
out and present il to YOUR grocer and
get Il 25c package of Cerena FREE.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
lust an Auto.

When one was beaten In the gsIno
Because !:e WAS resonrceless.
It used to he q horse on aiu,
But now il is a shorseless..
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Won't thouchr.

"Why noty"
"she will marry whoever she can
get" scats
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
She Is So Lieh. Headed.

She Is So Light Headed.
81 wonder why Mamie Will load her
hat with such lot OF trimmings"
probably to keep her head from
blowing away"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12

All the news all the time-THB
ARGUS.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
Just a Guess.

'sNhat time is hs
sMy wated isn't rhhning. !"
Srhen :tsfs less than no times
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-12
sY THE j. w. POTTER CO.
TERMs-Daily. 10 cents per wee,

TERMS-Daily, 10 cents per week.
Weekly. 81 per year in advance.
All COMMUNICATIONS of argumentative
character. political or religious, must
have real name attached for publica-
ton. No such articles will be printed
over fictitious signatures.
: Correspondence solicited from every
township In Rock Island county.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-09

Fox sent Patton against Topeka and he
performed right pert for a y%oungster, al
though not as steady as the Topeka re-
cruit. Boles. Topeka did the first scoring
OF the game in the sixth inning, when,
with two out. Kunkle drew a free pass to
first. Landreth beat out a hit to Pendry,
but the little third baseman threw to first
and threw wild, allowing Kunkle to score.
Onaha took the lead In the seventh on
two, runs. Potts singled and Gonding went
out trying to sacrifice. Patton struck out.
Fisher walked and Fox beat out a bunt,
which put Potts on third. King drove Potts
and Fisher both home, with a single.
Topeka took the lead back again in the
eighth. Reilly singled and Geier walked.
Kunkle sacrificed them on for a base and
Reilly scored on Landreth's sacrifice fly
to WEIGH, Geler aking third. Abbott
walksd and on an attempted double steal
Gondlng threw to Pendry and GeieI
scored. Then came the ninth inning rally
which tied the score for Omaha
Topeka again today.
The score: