Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-18

gave the signal Dell cora dnolner saw
age pull This finally brought into
view the slouching figure of a man.
who leisurely shipped the anchor line,
started the little gasoline engine and
headed the ferryboat across the river.
Passing the south side creamery two
hours later, Shapiro met County Super
visors wilkins and McHenry.
How about that debate, gents?' he
oueried. Suppose We got our chal-
Ienge We're loaded fer bear an south
side politicians. an we're anxious fer
a 60"
YES. we got the challenge" admit
ted Wilkins, but we're shy Of good
speakers. Can't seem to find anybody
to take our side"
Look here, Wilkins said Shapiro
warmly. ''if you fellers have got legit-
innate arguments agin that bridge the
voters are entitled to hear 'em. An
If We amt they're entitled to know
that Now, If theAsum shoe methods
yer game we're goin' to smoke We out
It's either debate er publicity Of an
other kind Either yen debate with
us in the open er wen post the fact
that We didn't dare 10 meet US all over
the county This is Monday. The
elections q week from termorrer.
Plenty o. time to make all arrange
ments an pull the debate off Saturday
night. It's up TO you"
Keep cool, Shapiro" said Supervi-
sor wilkins. We've got nothin' UP
our sleeves. If the voters o. the south
side want to build a bridge fer the
special benefit o. the north side no
body's going to prevent 'em sayin' so
next Tuesday week, an -
Fer the benefit o. the north side!"
broke in Shapiro. getting red in the
face. I'VE north siders have beer
a-helpin'"
"Oh, WELL" in turn interrupted VII
kins, mo use o. any argument now
Mr. Shapiro, an if we can find gooC
speaker to-
THAT puts me in mind" interposeC
Supervisor McHenry, that there's {
travelin' man over to Mrs. Williams
boardin' house that told me thi!
mornin' that he'd present our side il
we wanted him to. He's a-travelin
fer some trust company, examinin
applications fer loans, L believe. AND
they say he halls from Cherokee coun
ty an has been in the legislature from
that county, so he ought to be q goot
speiler."
"Goodr' exclaimed Wilkins. "Wel
see him, Mr. Shapiro. an let We know
If arrangements can be made. Sup
pose yer son Dick II talk fer you
side"
Shapiro told them Of the impossibility
of Dicks appearance, for which liz
was very sorry, and that he himself
would have to represent the nOrtl
siders.
The north side farmer drove home
much elated "'The debates a-cOmiD
Off" he told Hanson. They're a-goin
TO git some traveIin' Teller that's beer
to the legislator from Cherokee count!
to speak fer 'em. But 1 amt afraiC
o. him. He may be a glib talker an
all that, but he hain't got the argy
ments, an them's what counts in a de
bate"
"Say, amt it a pity Dick amt hereY
regretted Hanson. He'd make med
OF that legislator Teller
Il amt sure but Dick III turn mp YET
III llult lGI inc tAtttlStSs od4A NAls
elder Shapiro hopefully, but III bC
loaded 10 the nl1Zzle in case he don't
The news Of the proposed debate
spread quickly. and appearances point
ed to an enormous attendance.
canvas covered grand stand lighted ;b5
electricity was erected. benches pro
vided and Gil details arranged. II Wa
plain from the public interest in tho
event that the fate &C the bridge bond:
would be largely Influenced thereby.
Saturday night came. but Dick, like
one of NapolcCn's generals on a Ger
tain occasion. did not come. Some
thing had detained him. and the r.
sponsibility Of the coming debate was
upon his father. The ferryman was
kept busy that afternoon carrying
north siders across the river. They
were taking no chances. They, tho
whole population of them, went early
to occupy front seats and shout FOL
their side
Farmer Shapiro. not to appear un
friendly, met his opponent TO be. s
smooth, professional looking man witt
gray hair and beard, at his hotel, anC
arm in arm they walked down to thu
Continued on Page -even.)