Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-17
The Dailv
Short Story
"CBYDE, THE CLEVER
BY Esther Vance Rldgebv

! Gus tWlHkie IN MS eye succepdfns
clyde has been a disappointroof--s.
I but he knows hoy 10 make neq-ia'
laugh and he's the life Of H.
house"
Nobody could think Of c1vs.
Burt without smiling. He a.
gone away to try his luck IN ~
! big city. He had come back a YEA
later Just as buoyant as ever. bg,
with a repertoire. Apparenflv
Clyde had spent his wasted Yea,
and money learning the ropes AMI
picking up all kinds Of keen say
ings and doings.
IF you've come home N burkfs
down to practical work" his fan
er told him, there's plenty Of II In
do. II you've no idea but WASTING
time hanging around ana amusin9
people, you'd better Join a circus 3
| But to the prodigal a return IA
the comforts OF home after husks
and friendliness was most accent
able. He cheerfully worked about
| the place. Besides that, Clyde
found the girl he had courted in
the past, Nance Gordon, more love
ly and attractive than ever.
Robert Gordon, the father OF
Nance. did not look with entire IA
vor upon the resumption OF the old
companionship Of Nance and CLYDE
but Mr.. Burt and he were close
friends, and that and Nance's gen
tie ways prevented Mr.. Gordon
from cutting off the frequent calls
Of Clyde.
One morning early Clyde was
watering the cattle and his father
was filling the feed trough, when
both conferred attentions on tho
road down which a flying figure
was coming.
why, bless me! If It isn't
Nance!" exclaimed Clyde.
Yes, and she seems in a hurry"
appended his father. 81 hope Cor
don hasn't had a bad spell. You
know he's been ailing Of and on
for a week"
"Oh, my-oh, dear!" pantef
Nance, coming up to them breath
less. Father sent me, Mr.. Burt.
There's great hurry needed, AMI
he hopes you can go to Fairfield
right away"
Whats the trouble, Nance?"
They've stolen a march on faith
er. Just this morning a constable
drove up and served him with pa.
pers telling that the Cosgrove
place at Fairfield is to be sold IN
der foreclosure. You know that
skinfint, Mr.. Darrow, at Fairfield.
held a first mortgage. Father has
a second, and they've got snap
judgment and are going 10 bid /.
in cheap, and grab the property,
and shut out fathers claim. Faith
er told the constable he could raise
any amount during the day, and
clear up the whole business, bu.
the constable said the auction
would begin at 10 O'Clock sharp
You go home" said Mr.. Burt.
after a moments thought, and tell
your father that I will go over to
the hank at Milton and raise all
the cash that is needed. Clyde, you
take old Oliver and reach Fairfield
as quickly as you can. In some
way delay, or keep up the bidding,
till I come"
"Oh, you good peoplei" cried the
grateful Nance. and she threw her
arms around the old mans neck
and kissed him, and gave Clyde an
arch look, promising a later re-
ward for himself if he saved the
situation.
Mr.. Burt started one way for
town and the bank His son reach
ed Fairfield at half-past s o'clock.
A crowd had already gathered
about the old CosgrOve place, aban-
doned by its original owner. Old
barrow, notorious high-rate mon
ey lender, was there greedily view
ing his prospective prey. Clyde en-
gagged the auctioneer in converse
ton. and managed TO delay the
a quarter of an hour.
Clyde noted the proceedings with
4 watchful eye. Darrow started
the ball rolling with a thousand
dollar offer. Some one raised it TO
fifteen hundred. II slowly raised
10 sixteen-seventeen fifty"
1.-TWO thousand dollars"
Once. twice, do 1 hear any
ligher?" sang out the auctioneer,
hammer suspended.
''Twenty-one hundred" seemed
10 proceed from the lips of an oil
nan at the rear of the crowd. Oar
row scowIed. He raised the bid q
hundred dollars.
'Twenty-three, pronounced 4
Young man.
''Twenty-fourl" snapped Darrov.
twenty-five" came in another
1oice from the rear. Darrow was
evidently through.
"Once. twice, thrice" sang out
he auctioneer, and sold to-namef
)lease?"
Mean me?" drawled the young
nan.
'Sure-you bid last"
Il fancy not" disseHted the
-oung man vigorously, and in turn
he old man declared he had never
opened his lips. There was vast
quabble. Fully an hour was con
umed in pickering and arranging
o begin the proceedings all over
gain.
And just at that juncture. upon
steaming steed John Burt drove
lp and after one or two nominal
lids the property was knocked
own to him at $500.
My useless ventriloquial powers
.ot in their work" grardly re-
marked Clyde to Nance that even
ng.
Yes, and father says your de-
aging the auction was worth Ioas
thousand dollars 10 him. ana u
Quill settle down he'll build US
.ouse and"
..NNRnl hRrln Life In earnest.