Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-08-01
The Light IN
the Clearing
Bv IRVING BACHELLER
Copyright 1917. The Bobbs-Merrin Co.

I well, I'm inclined to think you
are the kind OF man who ought 10
CO." he answered almost sadly.
"You are needed. have been wait
ing until we should meet to con-
graduate you on your behavior at
Cobleskill. 1 think you have the
right spirit--that is the all-import-
ant matter. You viii encounter
strange company in the game Of
politics. Let me tell you story"
He told me many stories Of his life
in Washington, interrupted by a
sound like that Of . approaching
| footsteps. We ceased talking and
presently a flock of partridges
came near us, pacing along over
the mat of leaves in a leisurely
F., fashion. We sat perfectly still A
young cock bird with his beautiful
ruff standing out, like the hair on
the back of frightened dog, STROBE
toward us with a comic threat in
his manner. 1t seemed as IL he
were of half a mind TO knock US
into the river. But we sat as stlu
as stumps and he spared us and
went on with the others.
The baying Of the hound was
nearer now. Suddenly we saw
big buck come down to the shore
of the cove near US and on our
side of the stream. He looked 10
right and left. Then he made a
long leap into the water and wad-
ed slowly until it covered him. He
raised his nose and laid his antlers
back over his shoulders and swan
uf hfg FTnn
showing above the water. His ant
lers were like a bit Of driftwood.
If we had not seen him take the wa
ter his antlers might easily have
passed for a bunch of dead sticks.
Soon the buck slowly lifted his
/ head and turned his neck and look
ed at both shores. Then very de-
| liberately he resumed his place IN
Ger water and went on. We watched
him as he took the farther shore
below us and made off in the
woods again.
81 couldn't shoot him, il was such
a beautiful bit of politics, said the
senator.
Soon the hound reached the
cove's edge and swan the river and
ranged up and down the bank for
half an hour before he found the
bucks trail again.
1--WE seen many a rascal, driven
to water by the hounds, go swim
ming away as slyly as that buck,
with their horns in the air. looking
as innocent as a bit of driftwood.
They come in from both shores
the Wing and the DemOcratic-and
they are always shot at from one
bank or other"
/ remember it surprised me a lit
tie to hear him say that they came
in from both shores.
Just what do you want to do?"
he asked presently.
Il should like to go down to
Washington with you and help you
in any way that l can"
"All right, partner-we'll try it,
he answered gravely. Il hope that
! don't forget and work you as hard
as l work myself. It wouldn't be.
decent. I have a great many let
ters to write. I'll try thinking out
loud while you take them down in
soundhand Then you can draft
them neatly and I'll sign them. You
navy tat anu t1Obd 4AAtAAALiFl > anu
can do many of my errands for .
me and save me from those who .
have no good reason for taking up
my time. You will meet the best
people and the worst. There's just
chance that it may come TO some
thing worth while-who knows2
You are young yet. 1t will be good
training and you will witness the
making of some history now and
then"
What citation I felt
Again the voice of the hound
which had been ringing in the dis
tant hills was coming nearer.
I'VE must keep watch-anOther
deer is coming" said the senator.
We had only a moments watch
before a fine yearling buck came
down TO the opposite shore and
stood looking across the river The
senator raised his rife and fired.
The buck fell in the edge Of the
water.
How shall we get him?" my
friend asked.