Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-22
The Dailv'
Short Story
~DOWN SOUTH
BY Augustus Goodrich Shervi,


blunt John Ward to the young -,
who stood beside his desk. Our cl.vt
cal force is complete and the oniv =.
cancies are in the technical mechase
cal department. in lines you psobah,v
do not understand"
II suppose not" retorted EIher
Marcy. Il want work, | don't ca.
how hard or combining. | have h..n
an auditor, but my firm went out ~
business. Then l had a long sie,.
of sickness, and"
He choked up a trifle, but brousht
himself erect, trying to be brave. In.
liam Ward, seated Just beyond r.,
father. experienced a sorrowful thrill
She could imagine the pitiful story
this applicant for work might teli
John Ward directed keen glance a.
his visitor. Then he opened a draver
in his desk drew out a five-dollar bili
and pushed it across the glass ton.
Il believe you are deserving" he
said. Don't be discouraged. A viii.
| ing young fellow like you will strike
his gait"
Father"
Too late; the quick aspiration mr.
ceeded from Lillian's lips. Her a..
tanning hand checked itself. For n ma.
ment the eyes of Ebert Marcy flashed
Then they expressed a mute srsti-
tude for the delicate motive Of the
| fair young girl.
Il could not take money without
equivalent compensation for you" he
said in quiet, but decisive tone Il
shall get along somehow. You have
good heart, sir, and tit helps ma"
Hold on" spoke the big manufsc-
turer, as Marcy turned to leave. II
like your grit and manliness. Sit
down"
Marcy obeyed.
You want work." he began musins.
ly. "a thought has occurred to me.
You need better climate than this
rough one, and building up. l hap
,, pen to own a patch of land down
South-so far down South that it, 4
part of the wilderness. They az,
however, that the soil is 90 rich that
a crop grows in q month. and Eve
harvests a year. l have sent my son
to the land, provided money to build
: house and hire help to see what can
! be made of this patch. Would It suit
l you to join him and work."
: II should be delighted" spoke
) Marcy promptly and eagerly.
r Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Ward. Il
: will furnish you transportation and
1 letter to my SON."
Your kindness gives me new III"
l he spoke in an unsteady tone, and
then John Ward, all business. led him
to the cashiers desk and went into de-
tails. Once only, as he left the place.
Ebert Marcy directed last glance
> at Lillian Ward-reverent. grateful
and irresistible She made Q slight
motion of her head as If In parting
1 blessing.
Far South; indeed, in the midst Of
lonely district. always summary. but
: sparsely settled, remote, almost wild
t as the primeval FOREST, did Ebert
!, Marcy find the patch of land that was
: his Mecca. 1t was to face great
;. disappointment. Upon the land wax
e the lumber to build q house, but no
/ Ward. There was only one near
neighbor. From him Marcy learned
that young Ward had abandoned bis
task, Disguised with the prospect Of
: hard work, had taken the rest Of the
: money entrusted to him by his father.
r and had gone to New Orleans to
seuander it in reckless dissipation.
4 $50 here you're stranded, aren't
you? All right, come over to my placs
S and help me through, will you" CUES
;. toned the neighbor.
Marcy gladly acQuiesced, but not tor
. long. That very week great 0Qod
swelled the river to overlooking. >
8 bayou levee burst, and the neighboe
: found his entire plantation unde:
!, water
!, 1T won't clear for month" he in
formed Marcy, too late to put in the
crops. See here, you get to Rivertoa
and wire Mr.. Ward If he'll make Z
: fifty-fifty. II you and use his land
y for the season." which Marcy did, ana
4 an asserting reply came.
y They put In lettuce, which bad :
profitable early market, and other
quick-growing vegetables. At the sna
T of four months the crop was all sola
: Then the neighbor assisted Marcy u
e building a neat, pretty bungalow WIN
: the lumber already on the ground.
Il 1t was 4 proud day when ElDen
sent to Mr.. Ward al report Of the prog
!, ress made and a draft for $1,000. =
reply came week later: "Crcum-
r stances have changed with me, ana !
shall visit the land month after next
: How Gilbert Marcy worked to decor
rate the little home and set out roses.
honeysuckles and clematis! h0x
lovely the little plat about the houss
looked the day that carriage drove
up and there alighted MIR. Ward ana
his daughter.
"Oh, papa, this is home:" cried La
liam. What need you care for LOSING
your fortune, when such an Edenhse
haven of rest and plenty as tins
provided for US by this kind friena
It needed not the mellow mooniiens
later, when father and daughter -
become domesticated, nor the swayns
perfume of the sleeping flowers nvs
the low cadence Of the nightmare
to inspire love in those two yount
souls, for they had loved each otnS'
all along.
And the old mans life was bf1enl,
ened when the wandering boy. treo y.
the follies and husks OF life, CO.
home to settle down TO peace Aas
plenty.
FOOD SITUATION IN
cyurnrN Tc SERIOUS