Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-06-16
The Argus Daily Short Story
Who Shat the Arrow?-By Mary A. Bowers.
Copyrighted 1910. Associated Literary

humphrey Miller was lying on the
grass one July afternoon in the center
of the square about which clustered
the village of Atherton. Humphrey
was a typical case Of Il boy born TO
the pillow who yearned for something
better. at least more, intellectual. He
wished 70 go to college and study
profession. He was ready TO work his
way while studying but Just as he
was about TO maJriculate his father
died, the farm was sold out under a
mortgage. aud the boys mother and
sister were thrown upon him for sup
port. To bear this burden and his Own
as a student appeared to him a matter
of sheer inpossibility. He must feregO
his projects. accept Il situation offered
him in country store and go to work.
He was about to arise and walk TO
corner of the square where the store in
question was located TO announce that
he would begin his duties the next
morning when he heard a whiZZing
sound and saw short distance from
him an arrow standing with its point
imbedded in the ground. To the feath-
cred end hung bit of paper, which.
now that the arrow was ut rest. fioated
idly in the wind. Humphrey arose.
went to the arrow. broke the string
that held the paper and found the fol-
lowing words written in pencil:
Go to college. Your mother and sister
will be provided for.
Humphrey swept with his eye the
square and the houses that lined it.
The former was empty; the latter
showed no sign of the person who had
shot the arrow. They were mostly
dwellings. and Humphrey knew nearly
all of the people who lived I'm them.
He began ut once to con over those
among whom the mysterious archer
might be found There was Peter
Owens. Il friend of his father. who was
we'll to do. but Mr. Owens was not a
man to hide charity under IL bushel.
There was Harvey Dixon. his mothers
cousin. but Dixon had all he could do
to provide for his own family. There
was his intimate friend. Bob Clark.
who had been left legacy by his
grandmother. Humphrey knew that
Bob when he was younger had been
fond of archery, Besides. Bob's sister
Lucina had shown by her actions that
she admired Humphrey. Had not Lu-
Gina something to do with the matter?
Humphrey thought all the rest of the
day about the proposed benefaction
and in the evening went TO see Rose
Wyman. a girl in whose Judgment he
had great confidence. intending to ask
her to find out for him who had shot
the arrow. Rose did not live on the
square and. having no means. could
not possibly have had anything to do
with the message. lie told her of the
and that be could not ac-
cept the favor without knowing the
donor and agreeing TO repay in time
the amount expended upon him. Would
she help him?
Rose always took time to consider
before reaching her decisions. Finally
she said:
IF the person who shot the arrow
wished TO be known he or she would
not have taken that means of commu-
TO epdeavor 10 discover the
donor would he ungrateful in you. My
advice to you is TO accept the gift as 1t
is offered
You've got lot OF horse sense In
that head of yours. Rose" was the re-
ply. I'll take your advice"
Humphrey left her. wondering how
q girl no older than himself could have
so much foresight. Relying upon her
judgment, be acted on her advice.
went TO college that autumn. rang the
college bell for his tnition. did all sorts
of odd jobs and in hIs third and fourth
year taught school. Besides this. he
read the first books used by students