The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-08-29
HE WAS
A BOLD
WARRIOR
By GEORGE ELMER COBB



Seems to me, Rob, you're drawing
the strings too tight on Dora. She's
good, soul-faithful, Industrious and
economical. You've pretty nigh specu-
lated away the two thousand dollars
her father left her. Now you want to
get her last five hundred"
"But, you see," urged Rob eagerly,
I'm so sure I'll make ten-strike this
time"
Eyes, you thought that before and
It missed fire. Why not this timer"
"Oh, I'm sure of the proposition.
Why, Judge Graham has invested and
he says there is no doubt that the
stock will double par in month";
Dan Vesey said nothing more, but
he thought good deal. Dora was his
own cousin. That two thousand dollar
legacy had spoiled her husband. He
had already thrown away three
fourths of the fund in cats and dogs.
He had given up a good job to become
a Spectator. The day before the pres
ent one he had applied to Dora for
the balance Of the money.
"a sure Investment, Dora," he had
lnsisted-"Fm through with specula-
tion."
But for once he found the indulgent
little lady set and resolute In her de-
cision. Positively she refused to risk
the money.
II think the world of you, Rob-" she
said affectionately. II would trust you
with my last cent. but this is simply
encouraging you in kind Of uncer-
tain gambling life. / shall hold on to
the last Of the money"
Rob grumbled and was disagreeable
generally. He was offended and angry.
He became sulky, stayed away from
the house for a whole day, and then
devised neat, specious plan to get
that money that made him chuckle
and grin.
This scheme he had just outlined
to Dan Vesey. Not receiving antici-
pated encouragement, he went down
to the village billiard hall. It was
general lOafing place for the idle and
he soon had an audience, interested
because Rob treated all hands from
a surreptitious liquor supply kept Sc
cretly by the proprietor of the place.
"You see, this Mexican war scare
Is my cue," he told his audience. "If
can only get suit of soldiers
clothes and make Dora believe I've
enlisted, I'll work the rest Of the
game"
'I've got an uncle, old G.. A. r.
man." vouchsafed one listener. He'd
loan 1t to you, only he lives forty
miles from here.
sThat won't do, them" said Rob.
Another had inherited war uni
form from grandfather but 1t fitted
man two feet shorter than long,
ianky Rob. Besides, it was pretty
nearly in tatters.
Rob was feeling pretty joyous from
his Indications as he left the place.
A stranger seated in the billiard hall
had silently and unobtrusively listened
to all that had been said. He followed
Rob outside and approached him.
II say, neighbor," he observed, II
just CHANGED to overhear your talk
with your friends"
"All right" nodded Rob-"what
about it?"
"Going to do little masquerading,
gathered"
"That's It."
sand you want an army uniform
to carry out your little scheme?"
"Got to get 1t, too" insisted Rob.
swell, can help you out If you
want to take the trolley as far as
.Marsden, I'll fit you out"
"Why, that would be the most
friendly, accommodating act in the
world" enthused Rob. He was in just
a condition to be made a fool of. He
was too over-refreshed and reckless
to suspect trickery.
Rob failed to notice that his new
found companion had sharp eye and
shrewd face, and that the collar to
his inside coat had some gold braid
iacing on 1t.
His escort led him up into an Office
building when they reached Marsden.
They entered room, the environment
Of which Rob did not particularly no.
tice.
Happen to have some regular en-
iistment blanks" explained his COM
panion. II can fit you out with all the
papers, besides suit" and he got his
gleeful victim to sign paper, and in
side Of an hour Rob strutted out of
the place in brand new suit of army
clothes.
''I'll bring them back tomorrow and
pay you well for their USE" promised
Rob. and was promptly on his way
back for his home town, chuckling Sc
renely over "the easy game" he would
put over on poor, confiding Dora.
Rob's temperance in town in his
new rig created very decided sensa-
ton. The news spread like wildfire
that he had enlisted and was going to
fight the AIexicans. Rob was in a con-
dition to encourage the conviction.
His browning meanness was his ap-
+ snoorovnnoE ~ hou1o NTH fho onrouuoo