davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

the world to convince the half formed.
half trained youthful mind that the
mentor has the best interests of the
lad in mind, that he has been through
it all himself and knows full well the
joys and disappointments, the fears
and hopes Of early days.
And it is the habitually stern, Opt
mistic, unyielding and academic par
ent who convinceS the young lad that
be knows nothing of the fascinating
temptations of boyhood. The spirit
of compromise is allowed to perish by
such a parent; the spirit Of rebellion
grows in the sons heart; a spirit nour-
ished on the decay of the respect and
love thrust aside by the father who
would not understand.
a certain lad of sixteen years found
life in his New England home far
more circumscribed than was that of
his companions of the same age and
same comfortable position. He was
not allowed 70 20 swimming in the
lake because his young friend Tommy
Clark had narrowly escaped drowning.
The fact that Tommy Clark could not
swim and was taking a dare" on that
memorable occasion when he verged
on death near the county line road
bridge and the fact that the lad we
are considering could swim very well
made no difference to the father as
Wei as to the mother. The son must
keep away from the water. That was
final
The further fact that this boy as
pired to be a mining engineer made
no difference TO this father or to this
mother. 1t had already been decided
for him that he must study for the
ministry.
Three years passed. The lad was in
college. The study of theology did
not suit his temperament or his de-
sires. He wanted, above all things,
TO go out into the world of action, to
battle with the might of the strong
man he was becoming against big,
tangible odds; out in the open air I'M
der the open heavens. down in the
bowels of the earth or wherever there
were mines to be dug and equipped
and operated. He wanted to study
the problems that faced the men who
decoyed the glistening ores from Sc
cretive Mother Earth, and he thrilled
with the idea that he could succeed
in this profession.
He sat IN his room in the college
lormitory one sunny spring morning
and wrote his father that he couT
not continue his study for the minis
try; that he wanted above all other
things in life to enter the school of
mines at the university.
He waited five days The answer
came. The same night there were a
vacant room and a vacant bed in the
dormitory. Next morning came a
search. Under a table was found a
crumpled note that the tears of the
lad had blurred as he read. The letter
was taken to the president of the col
lege. When this gray haired gentle
man adjusted his spectacles he pressed
the paper fiat on his desk and read:
IF you do not continue your course
in theology 1 viii cease to pay your
bills at college. Should you discon-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

ne hit you, you coward?' he asked
the helpless prisoner in purposely ag-
gravating tones You're losing your
nerve in this little boarding house of
mine; that's what's the matter with
you. You haven't any manhood left
in you And, say, Valentine, when We
have had you here as our guest two
years more you'll be whining around
like puppy with the pink eye; that's
what you're coming TO. It's bound to
get youths nfe-just like it gets all
the rest Of you thin skinned guys.
Only bum can live this life and keep
his mind and his manhood"
The cruel words of the warden sank
deeply into Valentines soul, as Han
dler well knew they would. But the
prisoner was determined that he would
show no signs of weakening before the
two men who hated him.
81 didn't hit him because III square
myself when get out" answered Val
entine defiantly, land there are few
little things that l will square with
you, too, Mr. Warden Handler You
know you have me in your power, and
so do 1. But, Handler, you're going to
like me better from now on because,
realizing my position, have dared go
against you"
But Valentine had mistaken his
man. The respect that one fighting
man has for another who fights him
squarely found no place in the craven
heart OF Billy Handler Valentine had
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

Handler was the boss OF Sing Sing
prison and no one else. even lieutenant
governors to the contrary. Discipline
must be preserved. Yes, that was it
the old explana ton that always held
good when a prisoner who offended
the warden in any way was meted
out the vengeance that the warden
would not be denied. Once there was
a thin chested, cough racked little
election inspector doing three" for
crooked work at the polls who had
had his front teeth kicked down his
throat because he would not shine the
warden's shoes. AS for this slick Mr..
Valentine, he was altogether too indie
pendent, too. and the warden would
give him the lesson Of his life. He
would
The door opened, and in came Smith.
holding Jimmy Valentine by the arm.
The warden stood at his desk.
Bring him over here" he cried
hoarseiy, pointing TO the space In front
OF his desk
The secretary slipped his hand up
behind the prisoners neck and with
violent heave flung Valentine forward
so that he was barely able to prevent
himself from falling fat on his face
Gritttng his teeth, No. 1880 straighten-
ed himself and finally succeeded In
suppressing the impulse that surged
within him to spring at his cowardly
assailants throat Probably IL was
the realiza ton Of the fact that he
knew himself to be more than an
equal for Smith in a hand to hand
conflict that enabled him TO restrain
himself-the contempt OF a strong.
confident man for an ignoble inferior.
Smith was larger and heavier, yes.
but the man who had hip locked the
burglar Cotton and had thrown him
headlong TO his death from the win
dow of q rushing railway train was
not one to be trified with. Besides, no
less a parsonage than George Bothner,
the worlds lightweight wrestling cham
pion. had taught Valentine the mys-
teries of the grapevine" the "cross
buttock." the Cornwall heave," the
flying mare" the back heel" the rib
crushing Scissors the waist and
crotch holds and even the fortunes Of
the deadly strange holds. front and
rear.
Handler bent over his desk, resting
both his hands upon ii, and sneered
at Valentine.
why didn't you smash him when
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

! Golf, two youthful and diminutive
volvers from their holsters and fash
them on the restaurant owner and at
the same time demand their money
back. In the presence of several
others in the restaurant, the two
youthful bandits held the proprietor
in their power and for a while it ap-
peared that the town was to be shot
up in regular cowboy style but their
advantage was swiftly dissipated
when Officers Phelan and Bishop ar
rived on the scene and took them in
charge. Their revolvers, one COM
ical looking 22-calibre, and the other
a forceful appearing 3S weapon, were
taken from them and they were
locked up at the police station for
the night. The magistrate sentenced
each to 10 days in jail.
o
Obituary Record. - James Feeney
died yesterday afternoon at $3.50 at
his home, SIS East Seventh street
The deceased was porn in Ireland.
April %, 1895. He came to New
Jersey in 1861, living there three
years. thence he came to Davenport,
where he has resided ever since. He
has been in the employment of the
c., r. I. & P. railroad for over 40
years, last year retiring on the PEN
sion list. The survivors of the de-
ceased are: James, Margaret and
Anna Feeney of Davenport, Mrs.
Theodore Koch of Fullerton, Neb.,
and Mrs. NJ. V. Kelley of Des Moines.
Henry Downing, who has been sick
with pneumonia, died at the Mercy
hospital early this morning.
He was born in Kolbrookdale,
England, Aug. 20. 1869,
coming to America in 1888, and was
until the time of his sickness an en-
ploye of the Bettendorf Axle works,
where he had been working for IA
years He is survived by one broth
err, Thomas Downing, of Moline, III.
The funeral will be held Friday at
2 o'clock at the home of his broth
er, Thomas Downing, Gil Fifth ave-
nue., Moline, and fnterment will be
made in Riverside cemetery
Mrs. Max LANCER died at the fam
ly home in Bettendorf. The deceas-
I'd was born in Davenport, Oct. II,
1879, and has been a resident of this
city until she removed TO Betten-
iorf She is survived by husband
and three children, Edna, Carl and
Harry LANCER; her mother. Mrs.
Kruse of 1116 West Fifth
street, two brothers, Edward and
Kruse of Davenport; three
sisters, Miss Alvina Kruse, Mrs. An
IA Render and Mrs. Adelia Williams
Of Davenport. The funeral will be
held from the Bettendorf home
Thursday at 100 with interment at
Paramount cemetery.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

our renow beings at critical periods in
their lives should always be remem-
bered when the final estimate is made.
It is human to have human emotions.
1t is human to have inhuman ideas
concerning some of our fellow men at
various times; but. after all, why not
adopt the optimistic philosophy Of jim
my Valentine himself? For was it
not he who at the time Frisco Eddie"
bungled the inside job" of a safe
loOting expedition in Omaha sought to
soothe the latter's feelings by saying
sympathetically:
Nobody is a failure until he admits
It himself You will never admit
you're a failure, Eddie, so cheer up.
You, therefore, can never be one"
Consequently Jimmy Valentine must
be given a chance. His doctrine is the
doctrine OF hope. Give him a chance
to apply it to himself and await I'M
condemningly and dispassionately the
result.
If he succeeds in making a man of
himself, a man such as his Creator IA
tended him to be, who is there to say
that his past has anything in it to
concern q critical world? Or who is
there to deny to Jimmy Valentine his
birthright If he should miraculously
redeem it?
But should he fail in the great test
well, perhaps no word should just
now be sent regarding him to the old
home in the little town. to the father
and the mother who would not under
stand
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

CLAIR Reelected Captain.-EImer
CLAIR was reelected captain of the Mo
line high school track team at a meet
ing held yesterday Work on the spring
athletics will be started soon.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

Use RevoIvers to IntImidate Caterer.
Because they thought they had
been buncoed out OF $3.50 by an east
end proprietor of a cafe after they
had order and consumed two oyster
stews, caused z. NJ. Dean and Verne
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

yet something to learn OF the psy-
chology of Jail wardens. Handlers
face took on a malignant expression.
oh" he sneered, 80 I'm going to
like you. am I? Well, just watch me.
I'll burke you, you
Handler Iunged around the corner
Of his desk at the prisoner.
Don't burke mer' cried Valentine
desperately.
Eyes cleaning with his vengeful-
ness, with hands outstretched, the
warden came headlong at Valentine,
who braced himself to Withstand the
shock of the oncoming body. Crouch
ing, the prisoner primed himself to
clutch one of the warden's thumbs
which was carelessly extended out
ward from his hand-a trick BOthner
had shown him. Once securing this
thumb. it could be pulled back or
twisted to the breaking point if nee
esSary to cause an opponent to yield,
or by drawing the Outstretched arm
over his shoulder, wheeling his back
to his foe as he did so, Valentine
could bend sharply forward and throw
and on to the floor in a heap with the
disconcerting flying mare"
But midway in his rush the warden
stopped short He had caught him
self just in time. About to throw
himself blindly at his intended victim,
a thought Ian inspiration he after
ward considered it to be- flashed
through his brain. The warden halt
ed, much to the amazement of his
secretary, Smith, who had been watch
ing the proceedings with unconcern
born of experience in like happenings.
Then Handler turned away, rested one
hand on his desk and with the other
stroked his heavy, square chin reflec-
lively.
''God" he pondered. Suppose the
lieutenant governor should get on to
those deals in the contracts for sup
plies? He might. and then I'd need
him to be my friend"
Handler reached out, picked up a box
from the desk and extended 1t TO the
now thoroughly Thunderstorm convict,
who was slowly recovering from the
mental strain of the last few moments.
Have a cigar" smiled the warden gra-
ciously, with a sweeping bow. Also
permit me to offer You a chair, MIR.
Valentine.
by the way" he went on easily,
"are you perfectly comfortable in your
cell? If not, / want to know what
can do for you. I'm going to have
Smith go to see you every day to do
for you anything that you want, pro-
vided the rules of the prison permit,
and maybe some things they don't"
Valentine, hardly believing what his
eyes and ears told him actually to be
dropped bewilderediy into
the proffered chair and. taking a gilt
banded Havana from the box, stuck It
eagerly between his lips.
Have a light" said the warden.
striking a match and extending it to
the end OF Valentines cigar
The secretary stood across the room
near a door. eyes staring in his wonder
as No. 12s9 leaned back luxuriously in
his chair, crossed one striped leg over
the other and sent fragrant clouds Of
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01
,lue smoke toward the ceiling.

blue smoke toward the ceiling.
''This'n be a regular Y. NJ. c. A be-
fore we get through" he gasped. 81
think III apply for a JOB as worsted
holder for some old maids sewing so
ciety. This prison is getting altogether
too genteel to suit me-
When a young lad of good parentage
and of sound training and education
begins to chafe under the restraint OF
parental discipline it is time for the
parents to exercise the wisdom got
only from the lessons taught in the
great school OF the wide, wide world.
Theories and principles expounded
ever so convincingly will not keep the
growing boy at home after Z o'clock
in the evening when there is a chance
20 escape into the streets to meet the
bunch" the alIuring, versatile bunch
whose plans so often include the ami
hilation of the Sioux warriors Of the
Dakota plains who have laid down the
tomahawk to take up the agency clay
pipe and store clothes
That IS to say. theories and pFinci-
pies merely wiz not suffice to restrain
the impulsiye- imaginative. action
craving youths unless the parent com
hines with them enough knowledge o.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01
"Alias
Jimmy
Valentine
SYNOPSIS OF THE PRECEDING
APTERS.

Warden Handler of Sing Sing prison
and Detective George Doyle endeavor to
prevail on Bill Avery, a released prison
er. TO search out information against a
former pal" a young convict known as
Jimmy Valentine Avery refuses. and
Doyle and Handler threaten to attack
him Valentine had trick of opening
safes solely by the sense of touch.
Avery goes Lieutenant Governor Fay,
his beautiful niece, Rose Lane, and two
women workers in a rescue mission Wis
il the prison.
Warden Handler hears Rose Lane tell
how she was rescued from a thief on a
train and he Is amazed at a coincidence.
Convict Jimmy Valentine, No. 1888, is
brought into the warden's ONCE to open
a safe as an object lesson to the visit
ors, and Rose recognizes him as the
man who saved her from the thief, Cot
ton.
Valentine says he can't open the safe,
engaging Handler. The lieutenant gov
ernor and Rose talk with Valentine
Rose pleads with Fay to aid the young
prisoner. who is handsome even in Sing
Sing garh.
Fay promises for Roses sake TO ask
the governor to pardon Valentine.
stormy interview occurs between
Handler and Valentine.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

Chamberlain's Cough Remedy new
er disappoints those who use it for
obstinate coughs, colds and irrita-
tions of the throat and lungs. IL
stands unrivalled as a remedy for
all throat and lung diseases. Sold
by all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

JIMMY VALENTINES FATHER, WHO BROKE
THE scHooLBOY's HEART.
tinue them you must return home.
where l will secure you a position as
bookkeeper at your uncle's store"
Signed to this eloquent, brief epistle
was the name OF the young mans IA
Their
Several years have passed since that
crumpled letter was picked up from
the floor Of the college students room.
Several years have passed since an
aged couple. soon TO exc out their
need Of existence in a small country
town, have heard news from the son
who would not become a minister.
Several years have passed since a
young college student appeared penni-
less and discouraged in a middle west
eEn city and vainly walked the streets
for days. subsisting as best he might.
in search of any kind Of work that
strong hands and arms could perform
So there should be tempered Judg-
ment shown, say 1. in dwelling on
the present fate Of Jimmy Valentine
when 1t is considered that he was the
ambitious lad who left the crumpIed
note lying on the floor IN his bedroom
and set out TO fight the world single
banded.
That Jimmy should have lost In his
first grapple with life should afford
no reasonable person ground for re-
preach Those OF Us who have not
lost as yet quite humanity perhaps In
cline toward comparisons which favor
our own acknowledged virtues. but
at the same time the environment OF
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

Never wait for a cold TO wear or
it wears away the lungs instead.
Father johns medicine gives prompt
relief from colds and throa. and lung
troubles. Free from alcohol and
nerve-destroying drugs upon which
many medicines depend for their
temporary effect. and which are dan
gerous, because they weaken ID"
body and allow the disease 10 get a
deeper hold.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01
CHAPTER v.

u + his secretary left the room q
IA procure Valentine Warden
I Handler glowered darkly at
n \ the door that closed behind
him and through which No. 1888 was
to be unwillIngly brought. He would
show this man who had dared to talk
to the lieutenant governor that Billy
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01
DAVENPORT

Licensed to Marry.-John W. fetch
er, Princeton, and Lena NJ. Heible,
McCausland; Charles c. Bentley,
Aledo. ILL.,, and Charlotte c. Sunder-
bruch, Davenport; Henry J. Beck
man and Pauline Hopper. Daven-
port.
Brady Street Block Transferred
The Brady street business property
owned by Leonard P. Biller and oc-
supied by Menter, Rosen bloom & Co.,
was sold yesterday to Edward C.
Mueller of the Mueller Lumber COM
pany. The consideration has not
been ascertained. The property is
located at 219 Brady street. just
north of the I. & I. news stand, and
is three stories in height It is I'M
derstood that Mr.. Mueller expects to
rent the place and that soon he will
enlarge it. The upper floors are
occupied by Offices, etc.
'7ims 5000 as Result Of injury
cging that she suffered a dislo-
zion of her shoulder and a frac-
ture of her shoulder blade as the re-
suit of a fall on the icy pavement
at the intersection of Sixteenth and
Ripley streets because OF the negli-
gence of the city in failing to keep
the intersection in proper condition
for pedestrians. Mrs. Caroline Zim-
norman yesterday filed a claim of
$4,000 against the city Of Davenport
The ice and snow on the
spot where the accident happen
ed is claimed by the plaintiff to have
accumulated because of the city's
negligence and the injury was not
due to any negligence on the part
of the plaintiff.
First Interurban Survey Completed.
"A gang of 16 men, surveyors for
the Observation-Disclosures interurban,
arrived in Muscatine Monday, hav-
ing completed one OF the three routes
originally surveyed to that city. The
surveyors will go over all three of
the lines which were originally sur
veyed last year and after determin-
ing the best route they will start the
location survey. The line which has
just been completed runs from Blue
Grass to Sweetland Center and into
Muscatine. The gang was at work
in Sweetland Center several days.
Use RevoIvers to IntImidate Caterer. !
because they thought they had
been buncoed out OF $3.50 by an east
end proprietor of a cafe after they !
had order and consumed two oyster
stews, caused z. NJ. Dean and Verne
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01
AURORA GAS CUT 5 CENTS
Kane, Will, McHenry and Du Page
Counties Share i'm Reduction.

Aurora, Ill, Feb. IA volun-
tary reduction of cents per thous-
and feet in the price Of gas was an
nounced yesterday by officials of the
Western United Gas and Electric
company. giving to the consumers in
Kane, VIII. McHenry and Du Page
counties 95-cent gas net.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1911-06-02

and belongings TO Lookout Point.
back Of the BSrtels residence, for
the summer.
R. 7. Davis, mine forman. vas at
Peach Orchard on business last
week.
There is some talk Of organizing
a Elu Klux club here. to look az
ter a certain citizen Of Lick creek.
who has contracted the habit of
whipping his wife about or J
times a week. We may have some
news for you about this neat week.
A fine deposit OF Potter's clay
has been discovered st this place,
the company has engaged al eN'
pert from Ohio to make some tests
and he has declared 1t to be the
very best, having stood the highest
temperature and voltage. II is
thought the company will commence
to develope this field at once,
2 A. Decker. bOOkkeeper fol
the Louisa Coal Company. was verl
sick last week
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1911-06-02

James Casey. Of FaIlsburg. vis-
tied his sister at this place last
week. 49,. .."..
Joe Fannin. OF Plkeyille. and
NJ. Lafferty, OF Penn. were here
looking after the mineral land in
this section. ...
Or. Watson. John Stewart and
Frank Yates, Of Louisa. passed here
Saturday taking samples OF coal
Born. on the 2eRd. 10 Lewis
Webb and wife. a girl
Eugene Crank, Of YatesviIle. yis-
tied his aunt Al this place last
week.
VIM. Wright had the misfortune
to lose a fine young horse the eIst-
Brother Harvey filled his aP-
pOintmeut at this place last sunday.
John l. Jobe is on the sick list
Charlie Adams. Who vas shot b.
vess lobe some time ago. IS able
to be. out again.
Matt Browning and wife were
calling on DR.. Han for medical
treatment.
Dennie Wright was visiting al
Robert Chaffin'S sunday.
Miss Ida Chaffin. Of Hicksyils. L
visiting Effie Wright
DR.. Wheeler. Of Dennis. bought
a farm Of samuel J. Combs. neal
Gladys consideration four hundred
dollars.
Mrs. Oma ChAftin has a very So
we're attack OF fever.
WESLEY Jordan. Of olioyiIle. va,
calling on friends at this place las
Sunday.
Monroe Webb was trausactinl
business at POlIey's Chapel las
Saturday. ... Old link.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1911-06-02
Wins Fight For Life.

Il was long and bloody hattie 70
s that was waged by James b
MershOn. Of Newark. n, J.. Of which
he wries: Il had lost much blood
from lung hsmorrhages. and was
very weak and run down. For eight
months I was unable to work. Death
seemed close on my heels,vhen l
began, three weeks ago. to use DIT.
Kings New Discovery. But il has
helped me greatly, 1t Is din0E al
that you claim" For weak. sore
lungs, obstinate coughs. stubborn
colds, hOarssnsSs, la grippe. asthma,
hay fever or any throat or lung
trouble its supreme. 5oc and Zoe
Trial bottle free. Guaranteed BY
A II. Hughes.