Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-31


at five were going about with their
arms around each others neck; at
twelve they enjoyed boys sports to-
gether; at eighteen they conferred as
to what field in lifes work they should
enter.
The bond that drew them together
was dissimilarity of disposition.
SpOoner was bright, impulsive. daring
even to recklessneSs. He would cas-
lily fly into passion and was quick to
90 penance for his acts while under
its influence. Gibson was of a very
equable disposition. His amiability
was never seriously interfered with
and seldom rufIled. These compli-
mentary dispositions welded their
hearts when they were children, and
the affection born of their tender years
was never permanently broken.
Both about the same time secured
situations in different mercantile
houses. SPoOner was very quick to
learn and endowed with great natural
energy. The consequence was that he
advanced rapidly. Gibson was slow
in his motions, not over quick to IN
derstapd, always willing to do what
was required of him. patient to
fault and quietly persistent. During
these early years of their career
SroOner would confer with his friend.
complaining Of what he called the stu
p!Gity of those Immediately over him.
hating because he found il difficult
- mako them understand that be dis
covered w&yS Of ding things quicker.
IiHjner More correctly than they
Gibson would -ay:
De patient Lob. Your natural
ability will win liz the end. whereas
If you Ivy to 20 too fast yuu may get
q backsCt that You viii be years in
making up"
II know you're right, my boy" Bob
would reply. You're always right
about everything. hut lis mighty hard
to see things going wrong when
s::ggcSlion from me vould right it and
not nuke the suggestion.
How do you know they would ap-
preciate il: And wouldn't they be
liable to tell you 10 keep your place
ana mind your own business. If you
were ia their place would you listen
20 suggestions from themE'
Il listen TO suggestions from them,
Not much"
"All things come 20 those who wait"
Bob Spooner could not help feeling
himself better man ;han his friend
II everything except patience. gentle
ross. endurance He did not expect
Lars 10 make much Roadway in the
world: indeed. he was ambitious to
make & success for himself that he
might share it with the man he loved
It was not long before SPOoner broke
away from his employers and set up
for himself. He had no capital. but
had a capacity for inspiring conf
dence. He succeeded from the start.
Both young men married. Spooner
welded Il girl who sa w in him d means
10 acquire what was the wish of her
life-social prominence. Gibson mar
ried girl who loved money for non-
ey's sake rather than what she could
acquire with it. Mrs. Spooner spPnt
all her husbands income. Mrs. Glib.
son exerted herself 10 prevent her
husband from giving away all his fam
lily did not positively require. From
the time of their marriage their wives
stepped into their shoes and enacted
the UdldHCe Oh tUeII lives lOI lneul
No, not all; at the end they acted for
themselves.
1T was their desire that their wives
should feel as warm a friendship for
each other as was theirs. Spooner. with
his natural enthusiasm, expected this;
Gibson. with n certain longheadedness
or horse sense. knew that it could no.
be. There was nothing to bring the
two women together-indeed. there |
was that to drive them apart. Each |
wife was jealous Of the influence ex-
erted by her husbands friend. "Tt is |
Mrs. Spooner would say. |
how you can see so much in that dull |
fellow. You are more capable in every |
way" And Mrs. Gibson would say. |
Your friend Spooner looks down on |
you; he considers himself vastly your |
snnari0r-"