Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-15
The Argus Daily Story
The Two Partners-By Sarah j. Rathburn
Copyrighted. 1919. by Associated Literary Bureau

But the next day some one else came
who was not expected. Morehead was
pacing his cell in an agony of suspense
When ne heard steps in the corridor
and IN another moment who should
stand looking at him through the bars.
but his partner Springer.
1t was a joyful meeting. though
Morehe8d was So overcome by the
change from death to life that he sank
down in Il swOon. When he recovered
Springer. who was in full possession
Of his faculties. sent away the taller,
and the partners held conference
alone. Springer revealed the fact that
he had been told on the day OF his dis
appearance that there was a telegram
for him AT the railroad station some
ten miles distant; that his informe-
believed that II announced the serious
illness or death of his wife. who WAS
in the east. He had ridden on a gal
lop 10 the station and on his arrival
had been arrested and spirited away
on the next train that came along. Ex-
tradition papers had been procured by
creditors Of his in the east in support
OF criminal charge Of embezzlement,
and he was taken east for trial.
How much the conspiratorS had had
to do with this kidnapping the partners
did not know except that Lyle had in
formed Springer as 10 the telegram
and had kept the matter a secret. so
that SprinGer's arrest. which occurred
at night when no one was at the sta
ton who knew him. did not become
/ known.
Fortunately Morehead had not let
Seymour know that he suspected him
and his two pals Of having hatched a
/ plot against him. and Springer had not
since his return seen either Of the
three. Springer had been detained
some time in the east. during which
he had made an arrangement with his
creditors He had written his partner.
and the conspratOrs had been on the
watch for a letter from him and inter
copied It. Had Morehead consented
to the sale of his interest in the mine,
which was two-thirds of the whole, the
plot would have succeeded. His re-
fusal had placed the plotters in po-
sition that grew more hazardous every
day.
And yet. now that their plan had
been frustrated. the partners saw the
futility Of proving it against them.
They decided not to take advantage
Of the law to obtain redress. but to
achieve their revenge themselves and
by conceal methods.
Morehead was set at liberty without
any prolonged legal process. He was
permitted to go without even the form
Of a pardon. He wrote note to Sey-
mour thanking him for his kind offer
Of relief when he was In trouble, and
Springer spoke OF his partners arrest
and accusation as mistake-a mis-
take that had nearly cost Springer his
life. So interested was Morehead in
securing the vengeance he was de-
termined on that he played his game
with remarkable naturalness, and so
far ms Springer was concerned all he had
, to do was to say ms little as possible.
One day Springer went to Seymour
and told him that they needed a little
capital in order to proceed In the de-
velopment OF their mine. II he would
like to invest little money or had
j any friends that would like to do so
! he and Morehead would be glad to
1 take them in. Seymour bit mt the
I hook. and Springer. who knew by this
4 time who were his accomplices in the
q plot that had nearly cost Morehead
his life, felt sure that Miller and Lyle
would he taken into the investment
{ and on the ground floor"
$ 1t was finally arranged that Seymour
eta ~
}, mine at night. since the partners ex-
t pressed a fear that some outsider
; might get wind Of what the property
g was producing
i On the appointed evening the three
!. accomplCes visited the cabin OF the
3 partners and were shown some speci-
g mems OF ore that they were told had
: recently been taken out OF the mine.
It These Jumps were so rich in gold that
q they made the would be purchasers
q eyes turn green with covetousness.
r Then Springer offered to take them
a into the mine and show them ore not
l. yet detached that would correspond
/ perfectly with the specimens they had
n inspected.
All five proceeded to the mine and
e went down into IL. Springer carried
a candle. which he lit at the entrance.
u When they reached the bottom Of the
q mine the candle went ont. Whether X
II was blown out or extingnished by n
- draft Is not known. 4 few moments
y later Springer dashed by MOrchead.
/ who gave a post a blow with an ak
n and let down a dozen tons OF earth
V The next day the partners reported
}: that they had lost their mine by its
r caving In. but that It had turned ont
Il 10 be worthless. 40 II didn't matter.
T. That was the Inst that was seen Of the
II partners in that region. and they were
- never heard ~ IN any other Three
r men were noticed 10 he missing. but
Al they were not sufficiently identified
b with the community for their disap-
q pearance 10 cause any especial com,
X ment The Morrhcad springer mine
cavein s',i remnin- monument t.
r. case ~ cOvetousnrss wherein there
r was nothing TO coveted