Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-13
BARITONE ON
A 4OO-MILE CANOE TRIP

A broadshouldered man with the
build of college gridiron hero, &C
companied by an athletic young
woman-the kind that does not scream
"Merciful Heavens" when a mouse
trips across the dining room floor
both of them with sleeves rolled up
revealing muscular arms tanned to
the color of walnut stain. strobe into
the New Harper lobby yesterday after
noon. and stepping up to the desk
asked the clerk for room.
The ever-watchful guardian of the
hostelry critically inspected the rough
looking attire of the couple, gazed at
a small bundle which comprised their
luggage and then cogitated.
Observing the general air OF sus.
picion which seemed to surround the
clerk. the man ventured, I'VE ar!
married and we have not cracked the
safe at the Libertyville bank. We are
not mendicants, neither are We strand
ed show people. To the contrary, we
are highly respected citizens of
Madison, Wis. and have the necessary
government engraved certificates to
safeguard you against loss. When
leaving a hotel, we invariably make
our exit, via the front door and have
never taken our departure by the fire
escape route. We desire a room for
the night. | might furthermore add
that the absence of sartorial splash
&c 10 ho 1oa. 4,
an extended canoe trip, which does
not call for IS changes of scenery per
diem"
The doubling clerk. slightly reasur-
ed, extracted the pen point from the
usual potato, and handed it. over with
motion which was anything but en-
thusiastic. The guest applicant then
inscribed the following and Mrs.
A. H. Bassett. Madison, Wis
Had the clerk been follower of the
society page in lieu OF the sporting
news and the police court columns he
would have Immediately recalled that
. a Mr.. A. H. Bassett of Madison, Wis.
was a famous baritone singer, and also
that he gave a recital for the Cham
made club Of Davenport a few mon h :
ago. He would also have recalled that
the selfsame Bassett entertained a
select audience at Moline some years
ago, the occasion being q musicale
given by the Moline Woman club.
Mr.. Bassett is known the country
/ over and every winter makes an ex-
tended concert tour, embracing the
leading cities of the United States.
/ He has vocal studio "a Madison, at
! which municipality he and his fife
are members of the -Four Hundred"
Mr.. and Mrs: Bassett are making a
E00mile water voyage in a canoe.
/ They left Madison on September ,.
/ launching their frail craft on Lake
Manona, thence proceeding into Lake
! Kegonsa. thence on The Yahara river
/ to Rock river. They abandoned the
canoe at the Milan lock of the Hene-
! pin canal yesterday afternoon and
boarded a street car for Rock Island
10 spend the night This morning
they padded into the Mississippi and
proceeded on their journey, which
Will ultimately land them at ST. Louis
There they will board a train and shin
me Canoe back TO Madison.
rs this a honeymoon trip" ouerie,
an Argus reporter in converse tior
with the devotees of the simple Iif;
at the New Harper last night.
No, il is our honeymoon anniyer
sary jaunt" chorused Mr.. and Mrs
Bassett. You see" explained Mr.. Bar
sett, we were married one year ago
and made similar canoe trip for on
honeymoon. We have decided TO take
this outing every year at this par
ucular time. The long concert grinC
of the winter is wearing. and I fin,
that The best way TO recuperate is Il
get out in the fresh air and get clos,
TO nature"
Both Of the voyagers are so tame,
that their compilations are almos
Of mahogany tint. Both of then
paddle the canoe, and thus far the,
have averaged four miles an hour
They carry with them a tent, JUS