davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
The Argus Daily Short Story
According to stebbins-By Clarissa Maolde.
Copyrighted. 1911 by Associated Literary Press.

from the bunk house immaculate in
white shirt and wearing in his bosom
the large yellow topaz pin he had won
from Mexican Pete. His mustaches
were twisted ferceIy, and his black
eyes sparkled maliciously as he look
ed at Luke Prentice playing solitaire
By the light of = lantern.
"Any messages you want to send,
Luke?' teased Fletcher rs he passed
by.
Prentice lifted a dangerous eye and
surveyed his companions getup with
contempt. you might tell Miss Ger
tie I can't get over tonight, but I'll
be around sure thing next Wednes-
day" he said. lazily gathering up the
cards and swapping them into a rub
Der band.
Miss GertieT' Fletcher Redeemed
unea silly. 81 didn't say I was going
to Lone Tree, did I? Resides, 1 reck-
on didn't know you'd been pros
pecting around there"
"AU gals is alike to me-" returned
Luke seutentiously. when one amt
to home another viii do just as we'll
so long as they'll sing and play and
amoOse me. As I WIS saying, just
tell Miss Gertie III come around next
Wednesday. So long. Bert. You're
sure going to have a moon"
Fletcher strobe away without a
word, his Joke on Luke Prentice quite
forgotten in his own misery. Frank
Blair might take the opportunity of
his being there with Estelle to run
over to Lone Tree and thus steal a
march on his rival 1t was a matter
that required much thought and deli
cate handling.
IN the meantime Luke Prentice was
arguing with himself against his rid
ing forth into the moonlit night and
assailing the Chincapin and demand
ing an explanation from Estelle.
There must be some reason for her
not caring to see bin again, and If
the reason was Fletcher-weN. Luke
would see that Fletcher stopped fiirt-
ing with Miss Gibbs and gave al
lei rra r. T-.-fie P'air
Suddenly he arose and made n hasty
toilet Then he came out. saddled
Stebbins and rode away down the
moonlit trail. When he came TO the
place where the trails divided, one
leading straight to the town Of Per-
dition, another to the right aiding to
Lone Tree and one to the left-the
Chincapin traiI-he hesitated, and then
with a sharp sigh he turned into the
Lone Tree trail and cantered briskly
toward the home Of Miss Gertie Gibbs.
Here he spent a pleasant evening IFS
tening TO Miss Gerties Yivacious chat
ter. enjoying the conventional music
she clatteTed from the tinny piano and
even joining in the chorus Of that pop
ular melody Because l Love YO3 So
until old man Gibbs pounded sa the
parlor door and requested silence that
he might snatch a few hours rest be
fore lie arose TO pursue his daily yo-~
cation of engineering the stagec0ach
down to the nearest railroad station.
Later IN the evening Bert Fletcher
appeared, and close at his heels came
Frank Blair. When the rivals found
Luke Prentice installed as court ia
vorite they unburdened themselves Of
large boxes Of candy and took a
gloomy departure, Blair gsiIoping back
10 the ChincaPin TO tell his sister OF
the faithless Prentice Estelle sneered
openly and then fitted on 10 bed with
out even a good night
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

has been progressive enough to fur
uisA them something to talk about but
not progressive enough 10 brighten the
interests.
The democratic party seems ready
70 come into its own. After long
fight the progressive policies which
aroused the opposition of all the pre-
datory interests in. 1896 are becoming
the accepted policies Of the country,
but the interests viii do their best to
nominate a candidate who is not in
sympathy with them and who tried to
retard their progress. Let not the
democrats be deceived. The work of
a democratic president Will be no easy
work The cleaning out of the stables
viii be a herculean task. II will be
quire strength of Fbody, strength Of
mind and unfinching moral purpose.
It is no time for compromise. The
times require a stalwart, fearless pro-
gressive leader. The time is not ripe
yet for the selection of a candidate.
Congress will largely shape the issues
and may develop the man. but whether
he comes from the senate or the house
or from a state position, he must meas
uTe up 70 the requirements of the oc-
casion and be able TO summon the pro
gressive hosts to his banner. He must
be positive and progressive if he is
to win the confidence of those who are
seeking remedial legislation"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
The Get-Together-and-Boost Spirit

The -IOgether-and-BOost Spirit
| The annual banquet of the Rock Is
/ land Business Mems association at the
/ New Harper last evening was not only
the most largely attended and most
enthusiastic ever held by that infiuen-
/ tiaI organization, but one of the big
/ gest aIairs of the kind ever held in the
three cities. The association took
upon itself. and with perfect propriety,
the opportunity to celebrate the sue
I cessful and complete Inauguration Of
. the commission form of municipal gov
ternment in Rock Island. To no asso-
citation of men is due a greater degree
( CT credit for the enactment of the law
/ providing for the commission plan of
( government than the business men of
Illinois, through their state organiza-
( ton and through the various local asso-
( Citations, among which Rock Island en-
( Joys a front rank in the state. The
ideal has become a reality. and it was
eminentIy proper that the Rock Island
/ association should seize upon its an
nual banquet as a fit occasion for felici-
tations.
And it was a great occasion. The
/ booster spirit was revived right. Co
operation in making the city better and
greater. cooperation as it applies not
only to Rock Island, but TO the three
cities, was urged and practically pledg-
ed Cooperation as il implies not only
70 the work of an organization. coOpera-
ton as it involves not only the Rock
Island Business Mems association and
The Rock Island club. but the enlist
ment OF similar organizations in the
sister cities of Moline and Davenport,
I but cooperation as il inspires, or at
/ least should inspire, the individual cit
izen, that was the sentiment voiced and
cheered to the echo.
Cooperate. boost, and proclaim to
the world your advantages.
And thus the fires of enthusiasm for
a new Rock Island were kindled and
started to burning brightly. It IS
work in which every man is interested.
1t involves every mans duty TO his
city. It has awakened the pride and
the public spirit of the men of Rock Is
land before. 1t will do so again. The
get-together spirit is in the air. I'M
bibe of it and push and boost.
For the tri-cities as a whole. but for
Rock Island in particular That's the
kind of slogan in its broadest and
fullest sense.
And it is one to which every citizen
can subscribe.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
Boom La Toilette for President.

Senator Bourne of oregon. is urg-
ing the nomination of Senator La Fol
lette for president on the republican
ticket J. Adam Bede, eX-congressman
from Minnesota, says there is no doubt
that . fight will be made in La Fol
lotte's behalf in the central and west
ern states. Bede doesn't think La
Toilette has chance of success, and
merely makes this statement as cur
rent observation.
In the opinion of the Des Moines
Register and Leader cit is hard to see
what he would have 10 gain by becom-
ing a candidate in the convention, for
there would not be hundredth part
of a chance that he could be nominated
and IL would be very embarrassing af-
ter his defeat to then appear as an
independent candidate. He would be
tying his hands to no purpose"
Il may be agreed that there is very
little likelihood of La Toilette becoming
the standard bearer of his party in
1912. But that he would have anything
to lose, considering his scale of values,
by being a candidate. is seriously 10 be
questioned. They said that it wouldn't
do La Toilette any good to head a con
testing delegation TO the republican
national convention of 1904. but he
headed il just the same and though
his delegation wasn't seated la Fol
lette was strengthened at home and
his ideas gained ground in the nation.
Again. in 1908, the republican national
convention rejected certain platform
planks which La Toilette proposed,
but in the time since intervening the
country has put its impress OF approval
on these planks and the men who re-
jeCted these planks are dead ducks.
La Toilette is not fighting for La
Toilette. He is to be credited with
enough political acumen TO know
whether or not there is chance for him
for the republican nomination II be
shall decide 20 be a candidate we may
be assured that his candidacy will be
undertaken to advance the reforms he
believes necessary to the further de
mocradzing of this nation.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

Luke Prentice carefully reread the
letter a second and Q third time.
When he had learned it quite by heart
he tore it into a hundred bits and
flung them to the four winds of heav-
en-.
II reckon there won't another girl
git a chance to throw me down." said
Luke sullenly as he dug his spurs into
the COW pOny's flank. Hump your
self, Stebbins. If you want 4 rundown
and a bite tonight!'
Stebbins bumped himself to such
good effect that it lacked IN hour of
shutdown when he Hoped into the cor
raj Of the Three X ranch. His rider
6ismounted, and, nodding grimly to
the circle of cowboys gathered around
the fire, he rendered the promised sery-
ices to Stebbins and then entered the
bunk house, where he made a careless
toilet
"wednesday nights beau night" re-
marked Fletcher. scanning Luke's blue
flannel shirt with a lifted eyebrow
You know, Luke, we kinder look to
you to keep up the reputation of the
ranch, you being the most popular
counting gent in the outfit. You amt
going TO back out and stay homer
That's just what I'm going to do"
said Mr. Prentice. turning 4 danger
Gus glance toward his tormentor. I've
heard it said that I ought to stay
home and give some of you other fell
lers chance with the girls. OF course
1 don't want to stand in anybody's
way. I'm taking a few counting days
off, seer
They all saw and passed the wink
to Fletcher. That gentleman pulled at
his long mustache, turned it fiercely
upward and smiled thoughtfully.
THANK you, Luke" he said at last in
a velvety tone. I've been waiting
a long time for chance 50 as you've
dropped out of the game I'll just
NOPE along the Chincapin trail to-
night / got box of candy laid aside
for just such an emergency"
The Chincapin traif led to the Chin
capin ranch, and there was where Es-
telle Blair lived with her brother
Frank. It was said that Luxe Prentice
mounted on Stebbins had worn the
Chincapin trail down TO bedrock. 1t
was a fact that he had fallen des-
perately IN love with Estelle Blair and
that for Il time at least she appeared
to reciprocate his feeling. Lately,
however, Estelle had grown cool and
distant, and row their friendship had
been severed by the curt little letter
she had sent advising him that she
would not be at home hereafter on
"Wednesday NIGHTS
Luke could not understand Why mat
tiers had turned out this way unless Il
was that Esteile had learned to love
somebody else. He knew that Fletch
er occasionally called at the Chineapin
to see Frank Blair. and be must at
the same time have opportunities Of
meeting Franks lovely sister But
both Fletcher and Blair were rival
suitors for the fair hand Of Miss Ger
tie Gibbs. the sch0oIteacher at Lone
Tree. and It was not supposed that
either ever wavered IN his allegi-
ance to the plump little beauty. As a
matter Of fact, the two rivals were
close companions. aBd fl was vhis-
pered that IN this way each kept track
OF the others movements.
Nevertheless Luke felt a fierce stab
of jealousy as Bert Fletcher emerged
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
LIGHTNING BALKS FLIGHT
Captain Honeywell Forced to Aban-
don Balloon Trip.

Little Rock, April 12.-After q
thrilling battle with lightning and
thunder in the clouds, Captain II.
E. Honeywell and j. w. Holland, his
companion, were forced to abandon
their balloon fight late yesterday
afternoon. The balloonists left San
Antonio in an attempt TO captaTe the
Lahm cup They passed northward
over Hot Springs, Ark, at 10 O'Clock
yesterday. At noon they encounter
ed adverse winds and were blown IN
the midst OF an electrical storm.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
April IL in American
History

1777-Henry Clay. statesman. called
the great pacificator," born; died
1852
1s61-Fort Sumter. South Carolina,
fred upon by Confederate batter
les; beginning Of the civil war.
19O21Rev. T. De Witt Talmage. noted
Presbyterian divine, died; born
1882.
I910-Professor william Graham Sum
ner. social scientist Of Yale uni
verslty, died 1T Englewood, =. J.;
born 1910.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

This germ business is getting to be
a menace to the course Of true love
At Trenton, Ill, a young woman en-
plCyed as a school teacher has been
given a compulsory vacation because
she permitted a young man from Car
lyle, where small ,pox is prevalent, to
visit her. Germ proof school teach
ers seem to be a crying need Of the
day
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
The Moist Month.

ne "Oist "OnINs
April.
You know what's expected OF yOu-
Plenty of dew,
Moist dripping hours
Devoted to showers
That will produce
For our use
In the May
Flowers
And green grass
Which Will grow into hay.
Then have no fears.
Scatter your tears
Down on the earth in a liberal spray
Any old way.
Wen not complain
Though II may rain
Pitchforks and cats
Down on our hats.
Knowing the onion crop
Needs every drop.
Send Il down steady.
We Will be ready.
Glad that old nature
Is getting its I'll,
Knowing you will not
Send it a bill.
Yes, little April,
Your weeps bring US pleasure.
Send them on down
BY half bushel measure.
Unless our umbrella,
Confound IL. Is stolen,
We care not how rivers
And bitches are swollen.
Still for that prospect
Your spouts do not fetter.
We may be able
To steal one that's better.
Come on, then.
Make ten strike.
Go as far as you like
With your sprinkling cart,
Bless your old hearth
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

Continued from Page One.)
all its sittings. The committee on pri-
viIeges and elections not only failed
to examine Hines and Lorimer him
self, but made no effort to get at the
sources Of the corruption fund.
Those who urge a new investigation
believe that much additional evidence
can be secured IL Washington. They
desire a rigid inquiry made regarding
the lobby located in Washington dur
ing the consideration Of the Lorimer
case. 1t viii be recalled that three
weeks prior to the day on which d
vote was taken on the LOrimer case,
the Chicago boss was apparently
beaten. Then powerful lobby start
ed to work and the Illinois senator
was saved
HOLDS IT SUFFICIENT.
In the opinion of Senator LaFoI-
iette. the testimony of Clarence S.
Funk. general superintendent of the
International Harvester company, Is
alone sufficient to justify a new inves-
tigation. In testifying before the Il
linois investigators Funk, referring 10
Edward Hines. head Of the lumber
trust and one of those who lobbied for
Lorimer in Washington, said:
Hines said TO me personally, with
out preliminary: Wen, we put Lori
mer over, but it cost us 100000 TO do
it He said: We had to act quickly,
so that it became necessary for us to
put up the money. Now we are see
ing some of our friends to get it fixed
up
He gave me to understand they
wanted to be reimbursed and / asked
him why he came TO us, and he said:
You are as interested as anyone in
having the right kind of a man at
Washington
Il told him we would have nothing
to do with it. He said he could only
go to big people and wanted to get
$4,000 from each Of ten. He left me
and told me to think it over.
Edward TiIden, connected with the
stock yards at Chicago, is the man
TO whom l was told to send the
money"
MAN OF HIGH CHARACTER.
This testimony by a man of undis-
puted high character, when considered
with the fact that four members of the
Illinois legislature testified before the
senate committee that their votes for
Lorimer were bargained and paid for
with cash, is considered a strong ar
gument for a new investigation OF the
methods used in the Lorimer election.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
Where He Lost,

"Got n puncture, have your
''No; i haven't got n puncture." re-
piled the exasperated one. who didn't
care to answer foolish questions at
that moment. 81 just let the air out
OF the tire to give it a rest"
"Indeedl l am a puncture expert
and was going TO offer to fix it. So
long"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

Switzerland is completing the con
struction of her fifth tunnel under
the Alps In nothing is the material
progress of the present civilization
better illustrated than in the feats of
engineering making possible the real
lzation of what must have seemed
wild dreams in the days when NapoI-
con took his army across the Alps.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

Alton, has deposited $4,000 in an
Alton bank, which is to be forfeited
if he is elected and fails to close
the saloons on Sunday as he de-
clares in his platform he will do.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

That slogan idea has been discuss
ed before, and many suggestions have
been offered through the columns of
The Argus. How would we Can and
We WILL or something of that sort do2
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

ale has the no breakfast fad"
''Too bad, isn't it,"
"Yes"
"How did ne happen to go OF his
head 500"
''He is boarding on the European
plan"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

A Kansas hog ate up $1,000 in cur
ency that was dropped in its pen by
he owner. There are other hogs in
Kansas and elsewhere.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12


MADAM. have you any old clothes to
give away"
II have a suit belonging TO my hus-
band, but fear 1t IS too big for you"
ooh. that viii be all right. You just
set me out a square meal and watch
me eat enough so that can fill It,"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

Those aeronauts at st. Louis who
iropped 1000 feet and lit safely de-
serve the name of aviators, in fact
hey might be called birds.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

The dispatches announce that Pres
dent Taft is to dine the new senators.
This is better than dining off them
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

The automobiles spin through the
treets with great speed. Are all our
venues race tracks?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

They say Senator Crane of Massa-
husetts, can step on custard pie and
lot leave a mark
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
THE ARGUS.

Published Daily >and Weekly at 1924
econd avenue. Rock Island. Ill tEn-
cred at the postof1ce AZ second-class
lattcr-1
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
Hlrnor and
Philosophy
~ DUNCAN ~. .sessTR
PERT PARAGRAPHS.

WHEN we look at some people we
wonder what life would hold for
them If the tafiors and dressmakers
should all go on permanent strike.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

Every old bachelor considers the
married state thing to be acquired
by the people he doesn't like.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

The desirabiiity of being busy de-
ponds, in a measure at beast, upon the
nature OF ones activities.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
One Was PIentv.

She said that must ask her pa.
kicked on that becaugs-well, say,
knew the kick her father had
And didn't want Il sent nay way.
Her voice was trembling as she spoke.
Was 1t a snicker or a sob2
SAID: IAN right. you throw me down
Your pa VII not comolete the job"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

The only way TO discipline a certain
kind of man is to marry him to a hys-
terical woman.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

1t is a cunning man who when he
has made up his mind to break with
a friend first borrows money of him.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

Insipidity isn't to the taste Of most
terant-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

The booster spirit has taken a new
ease. Keep it alive
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
How Could II Be2

"His wife is a partner in his BUSH
ness, you said"
81 think So"
"Silentf"
"Silent! Isn't she a womanT
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
BACKS PLATFORM PLEDGE

Alton Candidate for Mayor to Put on
Lid or Lose s.. 400.
Alton, Ill, April IL. = Stephen
Crawford. candidate for mayor Of
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
Wen Backed Up.

Glow do you manage your hus-
bandY"
simply by kindness"
"Do you find that suGicientF'
Eyes. indeed, so long as 1 keep a
rolling pin exposed where he can plain
Iy see It."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
Your tongue is coated.
Your breath is foul.

Headaches come and go.
These symptoms show that youi
stomach is the trouble. To remove
the cause is the first thing and Cham.
berlain's Stomach and Liver Tablets
Will do that. Easy to take and most
affective. Sold By all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
OF Courae.

"Are you fond Of flowers, Mr.. Old
unT'
"Passionately, Miss Steen."
''What IS your favorite fowerr'
1.-THE flower OF youth and beauty"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

Common sense and good tastes be-
long naturally to a homely girl.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

BY the J. w. POTTER CO.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

A senator is a man who IL in train
ing to become q railroad director or
a corporation attorney.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
LORIMER SEEMS SURE
TO LOSE SEAT IF His
CASE Is RE0PEMEO

Continued from Page one)
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12

TERMS.-DaiIy. 10 cents per week
Weekly. 81 per year IN advance
All communications Of argumentative
haracter. political or religious. must
ave real name attached for publics-
lon No such articles will be printed
yer fictitious signatures
Correspondence solicited from every
ovnshfp In Rock Island county.