Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-10
The Argus Daily Short Story
In the swiftly Lydia 3. Gaskell.
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Press.

Johnny BEEN, a farmers boy, nine
teen years old, stood six feet in his
stockings; his limbs were long, well
shaped and put together In graceful
curves; a Byronic head was set on a
well turned neck, which in turn rested
between a pair of broad shoulders.
Johnny was beloved by every gin with
In City miles Of his fathers farm, but
as he loved every girl he was in no
danger from any one of them.
Johnny was fairly Intelligent, too
and read all the books that he could
get his hands on. But the chief charm
about him-even greater than his man
ly heauty-was his righteousness. He
knew nothing about the artificial de-
vices TO make himself liked He would
not Intentionally hurt a fly, but if he
cid so accidentally would not know
enough about manners to beg the fy's
pardon.
The farm, its products, live stock,
everything pertaining TO country life
was Johnny's delight. AS for a horse.
he not only loved the animal, but knew
all about him One day Johnny went
to the races. In order to see the track
he climbed up on coach occupied by
some swells. His remarks about the
different runners interested these per
sons immensely. And what interested
them more was that he invariably
picked the winner One Of the men on
the coach asked him lot OF questions
and when the races were over took his
address.
One day this gentleman, Mr.. Swim
bourne. drove up to the farm gate and,
calling for Johnny, told him there
were to be more races and he wished
Johnny to go 10 them with him. On
the way SwinbOurne told Johnny he
wished him to name the winning
horses; that he, SwinbOurne, would
bet as Johnny told him to bet and he
would give Johnny 10 per cent OF his
winnings. SwinbOurne IN this way
made $4,000 and IL the course Of a
year. by Johnny's advice. made for
tune. He paid his adviser his share of
the profits and then asked him If there
was anything else he could do for him.
Il would like" said Johnny. Ito be
introduced among the swells."
Swinbourne looked at the handsome
youngster for a moment, then said:
johnny. I'll do It. But you'll need
wardrobe and must let me do lot OF
coaching"
Johnny agreed, and Swinbourne told
him TO report at his club in the city on
a certain date
Now, II there was one among all the
girls whom Johnny loved better than
the others It was Hepsi Jones. This
was proved by the fact that she was
the only one OF the lot whom he told
he was going TO the city TO be intro
duced into society. Hepsi put out her
hand to him and said:
"Go0dby, Johnny; l never expect to
see You in the country again. You'll
marry some city girl. Indeed, I would
not advise you TO come back after be
coming used TO city ways. Our ways
here will be distasteful to you. You'll
neither feel at home with US nor will
we feel at home with you"
''If thought that, Hepsi, wouldn't
go. Indeed, I'm minded to stay on the
farm"
do nothing Of the kind. Go and
ultngle with these people, and If you
IKE them better than farmers folk
stay among them; # not, come back TO
Us"
Johnny decided 20 take this advice
md went to the city. He met Swim
bourne at the club. and Swinbourne
old him that since all social festivi-
les went by seasons among society
people and IL was then spTingtime he
must provide himself with golf suits,
ennis suits and garments appropriate
Tor horseback riding. Then. after con
siderable shopping and Johnny had
been Quilted. Mr.. Swinbourne gave a
timer for him at the Country club.