Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-17
The Argus Daily Short Story
His Other Self-By Mary D. Blake.
Copyrighted. 1910. by Associated Literary Press

I him a proposition to get $25, 900 out of
| Pierson by forging his name and per-
sonating him. Lowering refused to pro-
coed with the matter until Anderson
gave him this paper. and Anderson
finally consented.
The conspirators parted to meet in
New York on a certain day in Septem-
Der. Anderson went hrst in order TO
Investigate Persons bank account
with view to determining If it would
stand draft upon it such as was med
itated. Anderson wished to defer the
execution OF the paper Lowering re-
Quired till the time Of dra wing the
money, but Lowering refused to go to
New York at all without the paper in
his possession. He succeeded in con-
Yincing his pal that a proposition to
perpetrate a fraud was not in the eye
Of the law the same as perpetrating q
fraud. Indeed, there was a great diff
ference. This removed Anderson's OBJ
jections so fur as to induce him to sign
the paper.
When the day appointed came round
Anderson and. Lowering met in the lob
by Of a New York hotel
We'll" said Lowering, what do you
know?"
81 know that certain lady on whom
Pierson has long been sweet is in the
city. Therefore 1t is probable that
signature is as much like Persons as
your handwriting is
We're not of the same name"
Write his name, Richard q. Pier
SON."
Lowering wrote the name and show
ed it to Anderson, who studied it care
fully. 81 think l have a note from
Person" he said. 'l'll get it and COM
pare the two signatures"
Going to his room, he returned with
the note 1t simply informed Mr.. An
Gerson that a certain request of his
could not be granted.
Not even an expert" said Anderson,
''could tell the signatures apart"
he looked up at Lowering and found
Lowering looking at him with a
changed. cunning, expression.
Lets drop this fencing" said the
latter. 81 understand what you are
up to-"
"Well?"
I'm your. man, but l won't have
anything to do with the matter except
the penmanship."
"You mean
"III write the check. You'll have to
DO the rest"
"You tumble too easily. I'm afraid of
you
Nothing risked, nothing gained"
what amount do you propose to go
for?"
What do you propose: This is your
suggestion. l suppose you have fig
ured on getting funds out of this man
before and are posted on what he viii
stand"
This was true Anderson had figured
on getting funds from Pierson and
knew where he kept his bank account
and what was bis credit. 1t was agreed
between the two men that Lowering
Pierson himself is not far OF. though
he's not SO thick with her as he was
you mean since you broke up the
intimacy between themr
"Well, that's about it."
How could you. a crook. prejudice
lady against gentleman"
I've never been In a scheme Ike
this before. belong to a good fami-
~"
well. never mind your family.
What have you found out about Pier
sons bank balance?
HE had over $4,000 In bank yester-
day"
How did you find it out?"
Pm in with one of the bookkeep-
ers"
"Ah. You are! Well. did you get
one OF the banks blank checks"
Eyes. Here it is"
He produced his pocketbook and
took out several blank checks. '@rhe
only risk he said. lis this-Pierson's
checks have printed numbers on them.
The teller may notice this is not num-
bered."
''I'll fix that by calling for one OF the
banks checks and signing it right
there before him.
Good. / never thought of that.
Then You can pay me my share, and
he'll think you drew the money for a
special purpose"
The same afternoon the two men en-
tered the bank where Pierson kept his
account. Lowering went to the nay