davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
The Argus Daily Short Story
A Steeplejack's Story-By F. A. Mitchell.
Copyrighted. 1910. ~ Associated Literary Press

! threw her arms about my neck, ex-
claiming:
Stupid, get that woeful look off your
face"
THAT reminds me-" I replied, "of
when 1 was a kid. When my mother
used her slipper on me she would say
after she had finished, Now be good
and look pleasant"
Molly laughed again. seriously"
she said, did father say you could
have me when I was willing to marry
you swinging from the cross of st.
Thomas"
eyes, he did,
Then that's the way we must be
married. Grandma left me $4,000, but
I'm not to have it without fathers con-
sent when l marry. Were there any
witnesses present when he said this?"
There was some one in the next
room. but don't know who?"
I'm find ont. I've got to become a
steeplejack like you. That is to say,
I've got to learn to climb steeples.
must get such control of myself that
can go up to the cross of st. Thomas
and hang there long enough to be mar
ried."
"Nonsenser exclaimed.
"No nonsense about ii If I'm to
marry you. I know father we'll enough
to be sure that if he says thing he'll
stick to 1t. He has said, or implied,
that he will only give his consent to
our marriage under certain conditions,
which he meant for a refusal But in
law, If the conditions are fulfilled his
consent has been given"
How do you know thatp'
81 don't. but / can ask a lawyer,
can't II"
But, good gracious, you can't learn
to climb steeples. One must be born
with head for that; they say a stee-
plejack has absolutely perfect eyes"
We'll, can't you hoist me up there at
the end of rope with a bag over my
eyesT'
I thought for some time before an
swering this question. At last I said,
81 don't know but 1 might"
"Come in tomorrow. Meanwhile I'll
find out If we have a witness to IA
Tiers conditional consent"
"But I've been dismissed"
''That does not matter. Father
kHONS lddI 10 as piGdSC. ho IN
aware that his only hold on me is that
his consent TO my marriage is neces-
sary to my getting my legacy. And
he's pretty sure l won't give up S2O,-
600 for a steeplejack. and very sim
pie one at that"
Her last words cut me to the heart,
but she put her arms around my neck
and gave nae a hug. which made me
feel better left her feeling that she
had a more level head on her shoulders
than /, even if she couldn't climb
steeples as I could. The next day l
went to see her, and she said she had
discovered who was in the other room
when her father had been talking to
me-a nlasterer who had brought him
an estimate for some work She had
found the man and asked him il he
could repeat what was said He gave
the matrimonial condition word for
word Molly took it down in writing.
and he signed it. Molly is mighty
practical girl and a very energetic
one
There" she said. concluding herac-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
Jan. "a in American
History

1733-Bentamin Lincoln, Revolutionary
general who received the sword Of
CORVALLIS at Yorktown, born; died
1910
1s2O-Henry James Raymond, distin-
guished journalist; founder Of the
New York Times. born; died 1869.
1s98-United States battieship Maine
ordered on her memorable mission
to Havana.
1907-GeneTal Russell A. Alger. United
States senator from Michigan.
prominent Federal general and
former secretary Of war, died; born
1896
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

that she must continue her climbing in
order 70 keep her head at great
heights. She said IAN right" but
didn't lay any plans for any more or
It. One day she wrote me that she
wished to see me at once. l went
right round. l didn't see anything un-
usual in her appearance. which sur
prised me when she told me why she
wished TO see me. And what do you
suppose it was? Her father had heard
Of her climbing and. very much as
tonished and angered. asked her what
1t meant. whereupon she told him her
scheme. He fumed and fretted for
whole day. then gave in But he IN
sisted on my leaving the steeplejack
trade and going into business with
him.
'weIl. now" said, overjoyed. ISN'T
it fine that you won't have to climb
ST. Thomas'T'
Nonsense. I never intended TO
climb it."
You didn't?"
mo; 1 contrived that father should
hear of what 1 was doing. and I knew
1t would bring him round without
that"
We've been married FIVE years now.
and 1 am getting to think sometimes
in some things that my wife is my
superior. although I'm more used to
'sPoinc ND I'm the air. than she.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
! am a steepIeJack.

am a steepIeJack.
Now, I'll admit that steeplejack is
very unique individual. We have
doctor. lawyer. merchant, chief" ad
nbitum, but how many s+eepleiecks?
Probably not one in a million citizens
And 7 am aware that while a steeDle-
Jack is very attractive to a crowd he
is a constant source Of worry to his
own family. who don't know when his
mangled body may he brought to his
home on q stretcher or in a wagon. If
his wife sees him at the work by
which he earns their daily bread she
must be one Of a crowd watching him,
one half dreading that he will fall
and the other half fearing he won't
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
The Only WAY.

BY doing things. you may observe,
II is that Things are done.
Not using bales OF grit or nerve.
But action by the ton.
The man who strikes a steady gait
And pushes right along
And hasn't any time TO walt
Results are for him strong.
The dreamer may have schemes 10 burn
Asleep or wide awake.
But I'm a pinch the whole concern
Would little fuel make.
Though comprehensive and as grand
As any schemes about.
They never will alarm the land
Unless he tries them out.
It useless is 10 think you think
You think you think you'll act,
For never while you sit and blink
VIII Il become fact.
But IL you shed your coat and vest
And not a moment stop
Till you have torn things galley west
Then something's going TO drop.
Just plain and unassuming force
VIII make thI mare proceed
And quickly amble down the course
At record breaking speed.
No other plan beneath the sun,
Afoot. afioat. on wings.
Is there by which you get things done
Except by doing things.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

ures of the California, Oregon and Min
nesota laws, and provides that only
candidates and political committees
( can expend money for political pur-
/ poses.
Among its features are the follow
/ ing:
No political meetings 10 be held in
barrooms or in halls connected with
| saloons.
Candidates and political committees
to file, within Is days after an cleo
ton, statement showing the amount of
money spent and to whom
Candidates are limited in expendi-
lures to total equal TO Is per cent of
years salary of the Office sought.
Expenditures of both candidates
lowing purposes: printing. travelling,
advertising, postage, stationary, ex-
pressage. freight. telegraph and tele-
phone, giving of information to the
public; political meetings: payment of
speakers; rent and furnishing Of off
ces; payment of clerical force; en-
ployment of watchers at polls.
Corporations are prohibited from
contributing money; violation forfeits
charter or revokes license.
No candidates can take the oath of
Office until he makes his statement of
expenses.
No state or city employee or any
other official shall solicit in any way
any contribution. No soliciting can
be carried on in any public building
II is made a felony to tamper with
the ballot boxes or stuff them; to make
fraudulent returns, or to threaten or
by corrupt means to influence a voter
1t is made a felony for any candi-
date for United States senator or his
friends to give, loan or promise to
give or loan any money or other thing
to use his influence to further the can
didacy of United States senator" or
for any candidate for the state leg
islature to take or ask for money or
property in support of candidate for
senator
Elections must be made honest and
the ballot box must be purified. Vote
buyers and vote sellers must be placed
with the criminal class.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
SAYS HE'S VICTORIA'S SON
Insane Man Causes EXcitement in
the Bank of England.

London. Jan. PA well armed man.
supposed to be insane, created scene
in the Bank of England, yesterday and
gave the clerical force a serious fight
before he was overpowered.
The bank detectives had their at
tention directed to a well-dressed in
dividual who was acting suspiciously
as he mingled with the crowd in the
vicinity of the paying teller's window.
When he was arrested a fully loaded
six chamber revolver was taken from
him. Later he was said 20 have been
identified as a dangerous lunatic.
At the police station the prisoner
declared that he was a son of Queen
Victoria and that he had called at
the bank to withdraw a deposit which
he had there.
Later the man gave the name of
Robert Buchler. He said he was
German, an engineer, and IS years
of age.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
Life Lines
BY BASILEUS.
Mistakes and Misfortune
Copyright. 1911.

copyright, 1911.
Mistakes do not mar nor mark you
If you do not fall and fail to get up;
when YOU miss, do not hiss the fate
that tomorrow will bring you your good
fortune.
Making the Same mistake the second
time indicates a second-rate mana
careless student.
Fear to meet your mistakes face to
face, and you will fail to follow the
lessons taught-you will fall fiat in
your efforts to get up.
The future never brings failures
when the mistakes of the past have
taught their lessons well: the game,
when played by rule, will give you
home run
Mistakes will happen with all men
so human; but the divinity within
shapes our ends toward forgiveness.
Charge all misfortune to mismanage-
ment and give all luck" rest.
The man who is willing to help 9th
ers rise above their misfortunes will
never miss his own good fortune: when
he enlightens the ignorant he lightcns
his own load.
Good fortune rarely instructs; it's
her daughter misfortune that gives the
best lessons.
Misfortunes seen are not so big as
the misfOrtunes expected-distance dis
tOrts the appearance Of expected evils.
In the mills Of adversely and misfor-
tune the hero is often manufactured;
but the largest per cent. We cannot
doubt, is the plain hobo that's ground
out
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

fall Taking him altogether. a steepie-
jack is not a desirable member of a
family.
That was the reason vhv Mr.. Davis,
when I asked him for his daughter.
Molly. turned, faced me squareIy and
said impressiyely:
Yes, you may have Molly when she
VIII marry you. each one of you swing
ing from an arm of the gilt cross on
the top of st. Thomas church"
You mean by that. l suppose. Mr..
Davis" l replied. that 1 can't have
Molly at all and because l am a
steeplejack. Do you deny, sir, that a
steeplejack has a heart the same as
any man?"
I'm not interested in steeplejack's
hearts. l don't propose that my
daughter shall marry a man out Of
whom she can never get more than a
bare living except by insuring his life"
HIM replied to this theughtfully.
Not bad scheme. Now. suppose
You get out of here. 1 have some
thing else TO attend to than listening
to airy schemes for my daughters
betterment. Good morning sir"
Being thus cruelty choEed off. left
him crestfallen- thought il very
hard that he wouldn't even permit me
to propose my plan. though I'll admit
that the only way to make it a success
was TO die. went to Molly and told
her what had occurred between her
father and me. ! was very lugubrious
about it and expected lot OF SYM
Pathy What did she do but burst out
laughing This made me look more
than ever, whereupon she
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
HumOr and
Philosophy
~ DUNCAN ~. SMITH
PERT PARAGRAPHS.

TT makes a man mad to have anothoe
man make "a fool OF him. but he
seems to enjoy the process when IL Is
of his own making.
A woman never realizes that her
daughter is grown up until the gal
begins criicising her mothers clothes.
1t may be that the women's club
will yet turn into the big stick.
Dimples may be very fetching. but
ability to cook n beefsteak seems TO
have more staying qualities.
The way most OF us prefer TO help
others bear their burdens Is by shar.
ing their pleasures with them.
Lots of people think they have met
up with Dame Fortune I'm a smiling
mood only 10 find later that It was q
case of mistaken identity.
A woman may be unable to bake
bread that would preserve the life of
a hobo and yet be able to earn enough
OF the circulating medium to cover
household expenses.
Despise not the day OF small things.
a tack properly placed may cause a
millionaire to sit up and take notice.
A dose of Standard OF has resusci.
tated many n half submerged and
struggling scheme
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

The city of Elgin on Saturday
adopted the commission form Of gov
eminent by a majority Of $40 in
total vote OF $3.50. All the cities in
Illinois that have voted on it have
adopted the plan except Rockford.
where a peculiar local combination
brought about it's defeat, and Cham
paign
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

Have you a weak throat? II so.
you cannot be too careful. You can
not begin treatment too early. Each
cold makes you mare liable to anoth-
or and the last Is always the harder
10 cure. n you will take Chamber
iain's Cough Remedy az the outset
lou viii be saved much trouble. Sold
by all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
The ONLY Ohieotion.

81 always take things as they come"
'T would do that. too, If could"
"If you cOuldf"
eyes"
'Why can't you?'
"The things | want never come"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

Elgin, too. has voted to adopt the
commission plan. So the reforma-
ton spreads to all the ends of the
great state of Illinois.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
Charm Failed.

"You look as though you had been in
n wreck"
"Just n little mixup."
81 thought you carried n rabbits
foot"
We'll it didn't work against n
mules hind foot"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
No HannY Medium.

"a very young person doesn't care
what any one thinks OF him"
"Yes: I have noticed that"
"And today heard an elderly lady
say that she had got so old that she
doesn't care what people think OF her"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
Cheerful.

you look happy"
81 am. but my calling makes me So"
what is this fine calling?"
Hunting up lost tempers."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

An oversanguine contemporary says
"the hobble skirt is passing" In this
locality is seems to be clinging.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
Enjoys tho Ruetion.

"Why are you such a knockerT'
"WhyE"
"Yes."
81 like to hear the clatter."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

People who like old-fashioned WIN
ters should buy a 80 day round-trip
ticket to Winnipeg
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

They say that even your Uncle Joe
has begun to look serious over the
revelations at Danville.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
EasY Quest.

4 man Of wealth and station
VINO keeps a maid and cock
Cru find "a poor relation
II n VIII take p i1ox
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
Not Sharp Epouah

"He cut such "a ridiculous figure"
Il don't see how he could"
WHY"
"He IS so dull"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
Has to Live by Them.

"Say. Bllly?"
WHAT"
what makes you do IT,
"Do WHAT"
Jaw. give the candy talk TO them
girls"
"'Cause they live on our street"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
Usual Way

keeping n diary this Year,
II guess so; keeping IL somewhere n
Il isn't lost"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

The way most OF us prefer TO help
others bear their burdens Is by shar-
ing their pleasures with them.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

Dimples may be very fetching. but
ability to cook n beefsteak seems TO
have more staying qualities.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
TAFT OPPOSES RECALL
FEATURE IN NEW ARI-
IONA CONSTITUTIONS

CONTINUED from Page One.)
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

1t may be that the women's club
will yet turn into the big stick.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

A woman never realizes that her
daughter is grown up until the gal
begins criticising her mothers clothes.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24
THE ARGUS.

BY THE J. w. POTTER CO.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-24

Despise not the day OF small things.
a tack properly placed may cause a
millionaire to sit up and take notice.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
LESS CONSUMPTION AND IYPHCIl

That two Of Virginia's most crsa.
diseases claimed smaller toll IN 1917
than in 1909 is a Cheering statement OF
Health Commissioner Williams read :,
the State Board OF Health al lis annual
meeting.
Typhoid fever and c'usump'i ~
.bov.d = mar ed decline during tae
past year. ami the warfsrc being Waeto
against them by the State and ioca.
1eaith aLtrortisS rreSages still gIest'f
victories. During the satisfied year
lsUy. the Department OF h"allh eSli
mated l4.39S cases of typhoid fever IN
the State. exclusive Of the cities which
ave organz. q municipal heaitn c,pai l.
nen,s. Dming same lerlod Of 1910 tins
number was reduced to II, S43. or d.-
lime of 2.555. During 1909. the osu-
aat.c number OF cases OF consumption
levelap ping was 6.8l6. while % 1910 this
1nrhs- was reduced 10 5, 100. g decline
of l,l56.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
Saves Two Lives

Neither my sister nor myseil
nigh. be living today il il had not
been Tor Dr. Kings New Discovery
writes 4. d. Mcdonald. OF Fayet'e-
Vile. y. c.. X. F. ID. No. \. "ior
We both had frightful coughs that
no her remedy could help. We
Nere told my sister had consump-
lion. She was very weak and had
night sweats. but your wonderful
medicine completely cured us both.
lts the bes, 1 ever used or heard
of" For sore lungs. coughs, colds.
hemorfhage, lagrippe. asthma, hay
fever. Group. whooping cough-all
bronchial troubles; its supreme Irlai
bottle free. soc and Sl.OO. Guar
anteed by NJ. NJ Lewis.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
W. GORDON MERRlCK DEAD

W. Gordon Merrick. chairman OF
he Republican committee OF Abe
marie county, died Tuesday nigh.
II his home in Charlottesville. aged
10.
Mr.. Merrick was born in Phila-
ielphia. but in 1859 purchased a
arge farm near ScOttsville. few
weeks ago he sold his farm and
vent to Charlottesville to reside.
During the past year he estab-
ished a scholarship in the engineer
ing department of the University OF
Virginia in memory of his sister
ISABELLA Merrick-SampsOn.
His widow survives him with live
children
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07

Il want to thank you from the
iottom OF my heart. wrote c. Il
RAIDER. Of Lewisburg. W Va. "iOI
the wonderful double benefit l gol
from Electric Bitters, in curing me
Of both a severe case stomach trou-
bic and of rheumatism. from when
| had been an almost helpless SUI
ferer for ten years Il suited my
case as though made just for me.
For dyspepsia. indigestion. jaundice
and to rid the system OF kidney
poisons that cause rheumatism, hlec-
,ric Bitters has no equal. Try them
Every bottle is guaranteed 10 sat
lsfy. Only soc at VI. NJ. Lewis
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
LOCAL MARKETS.
Corrected by Simon Hirsh & Br1.

Wheat. SOC to 92c; corn, SIC to sac
real. 81. IS 10 $3.50, oats, 40 10 45; DC
ems. live, 10 to IL; dressed, II to ID
.pring chickens, IL to l3, h.; eggs,
a TO 80; lard. IA to IS; ducks; live
8 to 10; dressed IA to Is; butter, 20 tC
.; country hams, 20 to q; bacon sides,
Is to l6; Irish potatoes, 50 to 60; lambs,
$50 to "a hides, green, Z dry
.alted. 10 to IL; dry hides, 10 to Is; cali
skins No. /, Sl.OO to SIPS; baled hay,
SIS to $40 per ton; live hogs, 8 % 8
oeef, live weight, 4 70 5; pork, 8 IL TO 81
WOO, 20 to % per ID; veal. 6 to Z; sweet
,otatoes. GU to 65; dressed chickens, Il
to Is; turkeys live. II to l8; turkeys
irswn, 2l to %; turkeys undrawn, Is
10 20.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
SENATOR elKINS DEAD

Senator stephen Benton Elkins. o
West Virginia. died At midnight
Wednesday night at his Washing
ton home. At mis- bedside were
his Wife. his daughter, Miss kath
crime. and four sons. David, Richard
Stephen and Blaine. and his physi-
clan. Death was due to septicae'
min. or blood poisoning. lie was
conscious until within halt-hour o.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07

After abusing the Republicans for
many years the Ohio senatorial can
didates for the Democratic nominal
ton are foolishly abusing each other.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
Death i'm Roaring Fire.

nay not result from the work OF
'irebugs, but often severe burns are
.aused that make a quick need for
3ucklen's Arnica Salve. the quick
est. surest cure for burns, wounds
bruises. bOils, sores. 1t subdues in
inflammation. 1t kills pain. 1t
5oothes and heals. Drives off SKIN
eruptions. ulcers or piles. Only Zoe
al N. NJ. Lewis
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07

1t must rejoice Mr.. Taft to be able
once more to feel like he is the leader
of his party and the colonel a private
in the ranks.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
TWO DEMOCRATIC SENATOR'S

Owing TO the death of Senator
Elkins the Legislature of West Nlr-
ginia. which meets this month. wlll
elect two L.. 5. Senators. Both Will
DE Democrats, succeeding TWO Re
publicans. The Legislature is large
IN Democratic
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
Old Soldier Tortured.

For years l suffered unspeaka-
BILE torture from indigestion. consti-
patton and liver trouble. wrote
A. X. Smith, a war veteran at Erie
Pa. "but DR.. Kings New Life Pills
led me all right. They're simply
great" Try them for any stomach
liver or kidney trouble. Only FAC
II NJ NJ. Lewis.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
REAL ESTATE WANTED

We have buyers for real estate on
Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers.
List your property with as at once.
Piedmont Real Estate Agency,
II fredericksburg, Va.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07

Senator Lodge is going to make a
speech giving full account Of his
twenty years service in the Senate.
This task should not consume much
of the senator's time or energy
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07

The State of Virginia has much to
congratulate herself upon on account
Of the absolute honesty with which
all departments of the State govern
ment have been administered, but
honesty is not the only requisite il
good government, and if the report
of the Legislative Auditing Commit
tee is to be taken at its face value,
there has been at least some mis-
management Of State affairs WI ich
has caused financial loss. The fail
ure, such as it is, seems to have been
a failure to make the States finances
90 as far. in paying correct expenses
and appropriations. as they SHOULD
have gone. The committees report
is valuable in that it calls attention
to this and the remedy ought ant
no doubt will be forthcoming. The
report, however, ought not in om
Judgment to start such wave of re-
trenchment as will cause Virginia to
take any backward step in educa-
tional or internal improvement
affairs. The present State institu-
tons must be adequately maintained
and new ones. as time goes on, pro-
vided for; and the State must not
recede from its policy Of road build
ing. It would be far better for the
prosperity Of the State and for its
citizens individually that State taxes
be increased, than to abandon or
even recede from the advanced posi-
ton the Old Dominion has taken IN
these matters, but with economical
management we do not believe this
viii be necessary.