Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-16

world forget. God only knows how
many fortunes in America had their
origin in thefts from the nation during
the civil war. ana the systematic
frauds that have been practised on our
government since. I've turned some
pretty sharp tricks. Jim, in stalking
my game in this big man hunt of Wall
street. but at least I've never robbed
the wounded or the dead on a battle
field and I've never used a dark Ian
tern to get into the government vaults
at Washington. I'm not asking you
to stand for that"
IF you did
Yes, | know the answer. but speak
softly. his majesty the king approaches
long live the king
Bivens spoke in low. half joking
tones. but the excitement of his voice
told Stuart only too plainly that he
fully appreciated the royal honor his
majesty was paying in this the first
social visit he had ever made to his
home. The king gave him pleasant
nod and grasped Stuarts hand with
a hearty cordial grip. He was man
Of few words. but he always said ex-
actly what he thought.
I'm glad TO meet you. Mr.. Stuart.
You've done us a good turn in sending
some of our crooks to the penitentiary.
You've cleared the air and made 1t
possible for an old fashioned banker TO
breathe in New York. It's pleasure
to shake hands with you"
The king passed on into the crowd.
the focus OF hundred admiring eyes.
Biyens could scarcely believe his ears
when he listened with open mouth
while his majesty spoke to Stuart.
'Grent Scott. Jim" he gasped at last
That's the longest speech | ever heard
him make. | knew you had scored the
biggest hit any lawyer has made in
this town in ii generation, but never
dreamed you'd capture the kings i'm
agination. I'm beginning to think my
offer wasn't so generous after all. Look
here. you've got to promise me one
thing right now When you do go in
To make your pile it shall be with me
and no other man"
Nan passed and threw him a gra-
cious smile
1T will be with you If go Cal,
| promise. At least the king is one ex
ception to your indictment of all great
| fortunes"
That's the funniest thing OF all
| Bivens whispered Hes not an ex-
! ception Understand. I'm loyal to the
| king. He's wonder. | like him.
! like his big head. his big shaggy eye
brows, his big hands and big feet
like to hear him growI and snap his
| answer-'Yes. 'No'-that means life or
death to men who kneel at his feet
! He's a dead game sport: But he. too.
| has his little blots in his early copy
| books at school II you care to turn the
! pages"
Nor Stuart interrupted incredu-
! lousy.
Yes. sir: he turned the slickeSt trick
on Uncle Sam of all the bunch He
was a youngster. and 1t was his first
/ deal When the civil war broke out the
| government had no guns for the volun-
teers. He learned that there were
! 5000 old Hall carbines stored away
among the junk In one OF the national
| arsenals In New York He bought
these guns Ton a credit for song,
about So apiece. and shipped them TO
| General Fremont. who was in st. Louis
howiing for arms. Fremont agreed TO
! pay S2250 each for the new rifles and
! closed the deal at once nv dra wing on
4 the government for enough 10 enable
the young buccaneer To pay his three
dollar contract price 10 Uncle Sam In
New York and lay aside snug sum
for rainy day besides
When Fremont found that the guns
were worthless De advised the gov.
ernment To stop payment an the bal
ance. II was stopped OH the ground OF
| fraud. And then the youugster snow
ed the stuff ne was made of Dld ne
crawl and apologize: Not much He
sued the United States government for
the full amount ana pushed that sun
TO the supreme court. In the face OF
the sneers OF his enemies tie won and
took the fun amount with interest
Hes the king today iecause Ue was
born king His father was Il million
aire before him. He the greatest
financial genius OF the century
Bivens paused and a dreamy look
came into the black eyes
Jim" he continued with slow en-.
phasis. I'D rather yet my fingers on
his throat III a death struggle than