Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-18

I1Oh ltldA. AhCltCd his NOAAlHah-
ions curiously.
This here gent approaching, him
who is to be line rider on the Flying
V along with the rest of us, is the
champion dispenser of bad luck. Wher-
ever he goes he brings calamity with
him"
I've heard about him, then. Amt
his name Joe BlissT' asked Pete Will
lis.
Yes. They call him Calamity joe
because of the sure woe that camps on
his trail perpetual" answered Morgan.
They sat about the door of the mess
house and watched the shambling
forms Of horse and rider approach
them.
Presently the horse scuffled TO
standstill, and Mr.. Joe Bliss threw a
long leg over the saddle and stepped
to the ground.
"Howdy, gentsT" he said, looking
gloomily down at them.
"Howdy, JoeT' said Morgan sadly.
let me interjooce my Teller suffer
ersw and he gravely mentioned the
names of his companions, who all ex-
changed mods and muttered "howdys"
with the newcomer.
What happened over to Flamm's?"
asked Morgan as Bliss sat down and
rolled a cigarette.
Measles" replied Bliss stoically. 81
never had 'em in my life, but old
Flamm seemed to be afraid I'd catch
l.,
a week"
The next morning they rode forth to-
gether, Joe Bliss ahead and the Ave
following in a broken line.
Seems T. enjoy his bad reputashun,"
remarked Morgan to Freeman.
"Quite some. l been looking for
measle spots all the morning." return
ed Freeman.
1T won't be measles this time. He
changes his calamity every time he
changes a job. Well get something
else as sure as eggs is eggs" muttered
Morgan.
IF he plants any calamity on this
here outfit he'll sure get his" de-
clared Freeman violently, and some,
how Joe Bliss heard the words.
81 got ter do something to get rid of
that reputation" he admitted to him
self and thereupon thought long upon
| the matter.
! And it bore startling results. 1t took
some time to accomplish. but the ma
ture of Calamity Joe's vindication OF
his III name will go down in the his
tory of Poorgrass county.
Several weeks passed without any
! thing unfortunate occurring to bear
up the evil reputation of the new man
/ Then one day Joe Bliss received leave
Of absence and was gone all the morn
ing. At noon as his fellow riders were
eating lunch on the fringe of the scat
tered herd of cattle Joe rode hastily
up to Morgan.
Gents" he said excitedly, there's
some ladies' in distress yonder in Salt
canyon. Picnic ladies they are, and
some yaller minded individual ha:
stampeded their horses. What's then
delicate females goin' to do?"
"Huhv' calculated Morgan "Whert
they fromT
They say they are salesladies from
Finklestein's dry goods emporium IL
Eagle City
What they picnicking 80 far from
home for?" demanded Freeman.
"Skeered-plumb skeered for feal
old Finklestein will change his MIND
and call 'em back on the job. Why
them girls is so upset about how
they're going to get back to Eagle City
that they can't enjoy their lunch no
how" exclaimed Calamity Joe.
"Finklestein's. in Eagle City?" que
ried Smith suddenly. why. that's
where l bought this here handker
chief. She was a queen, that CIR
.was"'
WAS she a blond?" asked Jepsor
eagerly. Il remember a peach of q
blond In Finklestein's. who
Mary blond" was Freeman's EN-
phatic reply. "She was a dark eyed
queen! I'll 20 over, Morgan. and hell
my lady friend out Of trouble"
Huh! You don't even know bel
name" snorted Morgan contemptuous
ly. 81 guess I'll move along over there
myself. l bought a shirt IN Finkle
STEMS last week, and | want to ask
the red haired lady ! got it from If it's
fast color" His handsome face
flushed defiantly.
"Mebbe there amt a red haired lady
to the picnic" said Smith disagreeably
shes there" interpolated Joe Bills.
hastily. "Mebbe all you gents could
ride over to the canyon and rescue
them danes. I amt much on ladies
company, and so I'll Jest look out fol
the critters
The five other men consulted togeth
er, and finally all rode eff in the direc
ton Of Salt canyon. Meantime Joe
the harbinger of calamity. stuck to his
Job and manfully did the work Of si1
herders that sunshiny day.
THAT combination ought to breaI
up that there evil reputashun I've got.
he grinned as he rode back and forth
The Eve men rode single file through
the narrow entrance TO Salt canyon
and once within its confines a pleasing
sight rewarded their coming.
Around campfire were seated hal