Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-22


but today. for the first time In the MS
tory of this company. l control the ma
jority of the stock, and my vote Is SUI
ficient to carry or defeat any question.
To begin with, refuse to be held up.
am willing to pay $4,000, for the
franchises are worth $4,000 to us. tut
l won't pay a cent more. That's max.
Bozzam took the chair next to Sledge.
1T looks like we're up against 1t. he
stated. Il guess fifty thousands the
best We can do"
"Hunh" grunted Sledge.
Mr.. President" said Bozzam. rising
to his feet, since the matter seems to
be entirely in your hands. allow me to
ask If that is your ultimatum"
"It is" announced Marley, glancins
at him with only the faint suspicion of
a twinkle in his eye.
Then l must beg time to confer
again with my principals
Again the trace Of a twinkle escaped
Marley's eyes.
There is a time limit on my ultima
tum," he returned. You stated that
you were empowered to act. III give
you FIVE minutes to make up your mind
After that my offer Is withdrawn"
Mr.. Bozzam quite obviously strug-
gled with his pride.
II accept" said he, turning both his
palms upward.
A cheer, loud and prolonged, greeted
that humiliating capitulation. In the
midst Of It the huge Sledge arose. his
mere bulk symbol Of disaster.
"Nix.' he Numbered, and departed.
Both Phil and Blondy wore sincerely
mournful faces when Sledge walked
through to the back room the next day.
Hes game. all right" commented
Phil.
You couldn't make him holler If you
cut his head off" replied Blondy. pol
is.ing a glass so vigorously that it
burned his hand Il wonder how Bob
is this morning"
Must be dead from what the papers
said" judged Phil.
THAT King Pin must be some dog
Hes younger that's ALL" immedi-
ately explained Blondy. He never will
be the dog Bob was Match 'em at the
same age and Bob would chew him up
for an appetizer"
Bob ought've been retired crit
cised Phil. 1T wasn't fair to hand hin
his first lickin when he's old like this
The big boys late this morning. He's
been so busy he's been coming around
at o'clock. and now it's To-
"Bob's either dead or better. or be
wouldn't be here at ALL asserted
Blondy You know, | like that big
slob."
That's easy" carelessly commented
Phil There goes his bell. l think II
beat Adolph to it.
He grabbed down Sledges favorite
stein. filled 1t carefully. with exactly
the right collar Of creamy foam. ant
hurried with it into the little bacl
room just five steps in front of Adolph
who had been making change for ar
early lunch customer.
Sledge sat in his accustomed seat. hu
he was not looking out at the hand hole
in the gate. For the first time in al
| their acquaintance Phil saw the chic
with his chin sunk on his collar. HI
| industriously wiped dry spot mois
made no movement, even of his eyes
and Phil. who had come in with thu
express intention Of asking about the
! dog. changed his mind and turned t.
i tiptoe away. Adolph, however, wa!
more persistent in his eagerness.
"How's Bob this morning. he asket
in that particularly hushed tone ont
uses in inquiring about the critical Ill
ness of near and dear relatives.
The mighty breast of Sledge heavet
with long, full sigh.
Hes all right he grumbled NO
whimper out Of him. Call up ant
| find out"
! ASK for Mike?" suggested Phil.
Nav. he may be asleep A..
That's right" apologized Phil &c
know Mike. He hasn't slept nor eater
since the fight"
Nor took a drink added Sledge
and another sigh, which was almos
like sob. impeded his utterance.
by the way" Phil Informed him
Sunny Jim Keller is dead
Gee, the boss is cut up about Bob
Phil reported to Blondy. II told hin
about Sunny Jim, and he never ever
grunted. That means the whole thirt
wards gone
Sledge was not so unimpressed as h
seemed to be, however, for present..
he sent for Phil and instructed that 1
big floral piece be sent and that tn
widows affairs be looked into.
| Bendil came In by and by, lookin,
very much worried, and sat down heav
lily.
"How'a Boer he asked.
Hes all right" declared Sledge
Not whimper out Of him"
Bendix hesitated a moment.
Did you hear that Sunny Jim Keele
Is dead?' he inquired.
Sledge nodded.
| There amt man up there coult
take the leadership Of that ward" wen
on Bendix, much discouraged. TITS tn
Third that has always saved u.s."
Sledge, sitting heavily, did not an
swer. He seemed to have collapsea
like a huge figure Of dough settling
into pan. $3.50
That means we lose the Thir,