Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-26

cropped name ne Kept his balance.
Even in the rush of events ne
thought longingly Of the big Mcclellan
saddle that he had used in the west.
1t was vastly different proposition to
stick here without saddle. -stirrups OF
reins. But. on the other hand. he had
the mule at disadvantage. The an
imal was unused to riders who sat
straight and rode straight
The beast could not dislodge this
new style Of rider. Though she bucked
and plunged and did pirouettes all
over the stage. Dillon only clasped her
sides the tighte; and his fingers
clutched more desperately at her
name.
Out in the misty smoke hung audi
forum the crowd was yelling itself
hoarse. Already one minute had been
called. and they were well along in
the second. Harvey's fingers ached
and his legs felt the terrific strain of
their tight grip. The shaking up he
was receiving made him faint, for he
had not\ eaten since morning.
1t seemed to him that above the bel
low of encouragement from the crowd
he could hear voice that sounded
oddly like his fathers. 1t seemed to
give him strength to hold out. 1t
meant So, money that would give fresh
sinews Of war in his fight for living.
Round and round whirled the mule.
An occasional leap into the air varied
the monotony. Harvey's head began
to swim. and the bright lights were
blurred and indistinct. 1t seemed that
he could hold on no longer, but over
the din Of the shouts he still seemed
to hear the same stentorian Hold on
boyw which brought fresh courage
and he chung desperately to the puz-
Zled beast.
Then came a shout louder than all
the others. and he was conscious that
some one had caught the creatures
head and that some one else was lift
ing him down.
Burke caught him by the shoulder
| and turned him toward the footlights.
| thrusting a note in his hand as he
] did so.
Ladies and gentlemen" announced
he, though ladies were conspicuously
in the minority except in the chorus
on the stage. this young man has
| stuck to the mules back for three
minutes, winning the cash prize Of So.
| If he can repeat the performance to-
| morrow night 1 will give him S25.
hope you will all be here tomorrow to
see him make the MISUNDERSTANDING
| you. enc and ALL"
The hand on Harvey's shoulder
forced him to bow, and then came the
| banging of chairs as the audience
| made its way out.
At either side of the stage the boxes
ran inside the footlights. and from
one of these stepped a portly gentle
man. The man made his way across
the stage in spite of the objections o,
the stage hands, and a moment latel
David Dillon was slapping his son or
the back.
| Wouldn't have missed it for the
world!" he cried. ben Davis in
sisted on coming to see that freal
mule and dragged me along. You've
got the grit. boy. l need you in m!
Office. Want to sell that mule?" b,
added, turning to Burke.
THAT mule is worth $5,000" wa:
the pompous reply. "Why, my deal
| SIR
Dillon drew his boy aside.
"I'll give six thousand to your wifi,
as belated wedding present A maj
who can ride that beast three minute.
: Is entitled to marry whom he likes
You've won more than S.. Harvey
You've won my respect and
1.-THE best little woman in the world,
, completed Harvey.