Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-05-01

my gang. and the teachers are all right
don't Ike 90 study. but / suppose
got 20 have arithmetic and history and
geography when ! grow up might
as well get EN- here as any place. and
I got a ganS together that can lick
twice its weight IN town boys"
L don't see how we can take your
Gang along" laughed walllngford.
Don't do it." urged Toad Put Old
Polecat out Of the business and let US
stay here. l promised the gang that's
what you'd do
wauingford sat down again. How
much viii you take for your school p
he inquired.
well. you carry my mortgage and
square or my debts and give me So
coo and III step right out" offered the
major hopefully.
How much do you over asked
Wallingford-
Silently the major produced his
books and a bundle OF bills Here's
every cent" he stated
Wauingford with practiced eye ran
over the books and the bills and. salts
fed. produced his check book. Here's
your 5000 said he. Wen go right
downtown and look after the deed md
the mortgage. You win. of course.
major. keep charge OF the school until
I have found some one else to take
your placer
"Not for me- jubilated Major Poole.
IN have a new barber shop rented
and chairs ordered before night. and
in a week III be wearing a white coat
and saying, 'NextT
Peace be with you." wished Black
70. trying on the trim military cap
which he picked up from the desk.
let him 90. Jim. iii run the school
fo- 81 frw days. Toad
Toad who had been watching him
with il.ng eyes up TO this very sec
ond. was not there now He had van
ished. and a frantic cheering. which
shook the windows in a moment more.
told that be had vanished into the din
inE hall
Didn't you say something about the
city being about 10 build schoolT'
asked Waliingford in the presidents
Office OF the Boomviile bank. where
they had gone 70 arrange about the
mortgage.
Yes. but I don't think you need
worry about that" replied Major Poole.
with q smile. DO y0u think so. jane
SOM
Mr.. Jameson also smiled and shock
his head. L scarcely think So he
agreed. THE city's project for build
ing n military school S our local incu-
bus We're pledged TO build one. since
General Smithsou died three years ago
lie left the city magnificent plot OF
ground for the purpose. and the city
accepted the gift. with all the attached
conditions. II the school isn't built on
10 in twenty-five years the property re-
vcrts 20 the heirs. but the city has
many better things it could do with
500. 600"
I'm glad 70 hear that" replied Wal
Hncford. FOR / have q school on my
hands 81 which 7 shall want 20 dispose
and the city's project might interfere"
1--WE had hoped that you might re-
main with US and take charge OF the
school suggested Mr.. jameson pc-
Htely.
"No. thank you" repudiated Walling-
ford. II leave educational matters en-
tire.y 20 my friend. Mr.. Daw. who IL
now In charge OF the school. and he -
too busy to serve for other than pure
" phuanthropic reason. ] suppose
General Smithson was a very wealthy
man." be added. always eager for In
formation about heirs. they being
highly profitable division OF humanity.
"Not extremely so. but rather well
TO do" replied the banker. His two
daughters keep their affairs very much
20 themselves. but know that they
have lost a great deal OF money in To-
cal investments since the generals
DEATH
''Oh. well. the reversiOn OF the prop
erty In twenty-five years viii be a
handy thing for the third generation"
observed WaIlingford carelessly.
II don't think theren be any third
generation" surmised Jameson. The
two Misses Smithson are quite elderly.
Frankly. as an earnest member OF the
Boomvflle chamber OF commerce..
wish they had their land"
II See" chuckled wallingford- 1T
not being public property until the
city makes good. II IS not exempt from
taxation"
mot only that" agreed Jameson,
"but the tract is so tied up that it's
worthless. The b. @. and T. railroad.
which Is coming through in the spring.
would establish its shops here II IL
could End a suitable location. and the
Smithson Military academy tract In
the only one that would I'LL the BILL
why doesn't the city release its op-
ton so the tract can be bought up for
the railroad company" wallingford
inquired.
1T can't let 60" Jameson informed
him with worried brow. THE land
Is avaiIsble for military academy pur-
poses only. and when It accepted the
gift the city pledged itself TO the build
ing OF military school on the grounds
IL now has a $4,000 fund, which has
been tied up and cannot be touched
for any other purpose"
1t VIII cost you lot OF money TO
get the railroad shops" guessed Wal
lingford. intensely interested.