Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-06
The Argus Daily Story
The American Code-By George c. Conant
Copyrighted 1912 by Associated Literary Bureau.


rnad kings to finance them. Those in
the west especially were paid for by
the farmers living along the proposed
line. who subscribed each for small
lot of the stock.
Zeke futile Kentucky farmers
boy. returned from the war between
the United States and Mexico. where
he had served as volunteer in rifle
corps composed chiefly OF hunters. to
fud a railroad projected that was to
run close to his fathers farm Zeke
became much interested in the pro-
posed road. which would enable his IA
Their TO get his products TO market and
thus utilize them. The young man was
good talker and made n tour along
the route that had been laid down by
the engineers. for the purpose Of per
suading the farmers to subscribe for
the stock of the company.
He met with remarkable success
This was owing to natural gift he
( possessed for demonstrating the advan-
tages that the railroad would bring to
the farmer rather than to any especial
willingness on his part to take his
money out of the wooden stocking in
which he kept it and put it into the
/ shares of the road. When sufficient
! track had been laid to warrant a mort
. gage those interested began to look
about for funds TO be obtained in this
way. AT that time per cent was the
! prevailing rate Of interest in America.
which was much higher than that paid
abroad 1t was therefore decided to
attempt TO place the stock of the road
in Europe. When the directors came
TO look about them for a man to dem
onstrate che enterprise TO foreigners
they naturally pitched upon Zeke Tut
tie for the purpose.
Zeke accepted the work offered-he
was to receive his expenses and a
commiSsion-and, making the journey
to New York by stagecoach, canal and
other primitive methods of conveyance,
crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel
and one day appeared in Paris with his
charts and printed information setting
forth the advantages of his railroad.
He found certain bankers who were
SO favorably impressed with his argu
ments that they consented to offer his
bonds to the public. One day while
they were making their preparations
10 open the subscription books a mar
called on Mr.. futile and solicited an
advertisement Of the sale for his paper
the Courier des -. Tuttle declined
to advertise.
The next morning an article appeared
in the Courier des - warning person!
not to subscribe for the bonds of the
American railway since the road haC
not yet been built
Unless this article were retracted b!
the newspaper that published it Tut
ties scheme for placing his bonds
would be a failure. He called at once
at the office of the Courier des - anC
asked to see the manager. futile wa
a long, gaunt. rawboned American o
the backwoods type, dressed in stor,
clothes he had bought for the occasion
= The manager was a carefully dressed
- Frenchman of aristocratic mien. Al
Interpreter was called, and Zeke en-
= tered a protest against what he Gale,
r biackmail. The manager said some
thing in French to the interpreter. VIII
r asked futile to follow him and lie,
him to the office of an elegantly dress
ed man who sat in luxurious chat
reading one Of Alexandra Dumas nov
els. The Interpreter said something 4
French to this gentleman, then said I
Zeke:
This is NJ Cavillac, re fighting ed
tor of our journal. You having In
suited us by accusing us of levyin
blackmaiE upon you. l have been in
structed to bring you here zat you ma
repeat your charge If you so choose t
do"
II don't talk any French" replied tn
westerner. but that's what. we ca
such rascalIy proceedings in pur
American"
The reply was transmitted to NJ. c.
villac who gave the following reioir
der to Mr. futile:
This journal, like others, is liable t
print something that will displeas
some one. For the purpose Of satisfy
+ ing such or defending its honor ger
tieman is appointed to receive and Civ
challenges TO and from those who ar
offended or offend. Since you have al
-, piled an offensive epithet to what ha
been said in the columns OF this pape
NJ. Cavillac begs that you will do hlr
the honor Of giving him satisfaction
mortal combat"
- We'll. I'll be jlnged" was futile
exclamation. I'm goldurned II
haven't mind to satisfy him b
slapping his jaw"
"Zat would be out Of order" sal
Il the interpreter. He is armed an
would shoot you"
For a moment futile was thrown, 6
d. TO speak. on his beam ends, but h
soon rallied.
what kind Of a mortal combat is II
Bowie kniyes?"
;" what you call Eat? 1t 10 not know
in Paris. But | have to inform yol
monsieur Eat since Won are re cha
lenged party you have re choice {
weapons NJ. Cavillac does not cal
whether you choose re sword or re pi
toll. He Is equally familiar with DO
weapons"
Reckon he is replied futile.
Isn't likely that the paper would 81
IL l..