Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-30
The Argus Daily Short Story
His Castle on the Rhine-By F. A. Mitchell
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Press

On the left bank of the Rhine is the
ruin of one of those old castles which
have stood in that region for centuries
This particular castle some years ago
was bought by Carl Bishoff, German
American who had made lot of mon
ey brewing lager beer. Bishoff bought
with the castle a few pieces OF furni
ture. pictures and other curiosites that
were several hundred years old and
had been handed down from one pur-
chaser to another. With the decay of
the castle and the gradual breaking up
or loss of these articles all that re
manned had finally been concentrated
in one room, which. when the owner
was there, he used for a living and
bed room. In this apartment was an
antique fireplace big enough to roast
an OK. Over the chimneypiece hung
q picture that was especially priced by
Carl Bishoff.
Bishoff was an admirable amateur
chess player. Indeed, he had on sew
eral occasions tackled professionals
with fair success. The reason he
priced the picture that hung over the
chimneypiece at his castle was be
cause II represented a curious position
between chess players. They were in
medieval dress. the one long and
thin with a black beard, the other
stocky, whose beard was fiery red.
The dark man wore his beard at a
point, while his mustachios were turn
ed upward, giving him a malignant
expression. The red bearded man
was OF a pleasant countenance. The
picture represented him looking on the
board, evidently troubled at prospect
OF being checkmated by his antagonist,
who was regarding him with an ex-
preston of triumph. On a plate at
tached to the frame was the name Of
the picture in German. "Checkmate In
Six Moves" There was legend con-
nected with the painting that the man
who had built and owned the castle
would some day return to repossess it.
When he came-so the legend said
he would assume the position of the
red bearded man in the picture, and
instead Of being checkmated in six
moves he would checkmate' in the
same number.
Bishon chuckled at this legend. say
ing that II any one could get his castle
in that way he was welcome to do so.
he had studied for hours trying TO
discover q method by which the short
man could save himself and had
failed he considered the problem in
hn
had seen the picture had agreed with
him.
One autumn BishoG, who had run
over from America to Berlin. con-
cluded to pay a visit TO his castle to
see that all was ready for the coming
winter. A caretaker lived in room
that had been repaired and furnished
for him and his wife and could pro
vide what Bishoff required in the way
of refreshments. Bishof would be
obliged TO spend one night in the cas-
tie and would do so IN the room al
ready described
II was a lowering afternoon when
he reached the castle. clouds hanging
low about the battlements. After max
ing an inspection and talking over the
~ III LIS DAoApAs
who had directed a fire be built in
his chamber. dined there, and when he
had finished pulled big armchair up
before the blazing logs. Not feeling
happy in his gloomy abode,
he directed his caretaker to make him
q hot punch. This was set on table
beside him, and as the hours slowly
passed he drove of his loneliness with
frequent potatfons.
Presently he fell into a dose How
long he slept he didn't know. but the
hrst thing he did know the door was
opened and a nan came into the room.
BishoR looked up. expecting 10 see the
caretaker. He was mistaken The
person who entered was one he had
never seen He approached Bishoff
with outstretcked hand and with cor
diality that seemed more appropriate
for a host than a guest Then he drew
n chair hofora the FIRE warmed his