Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1920 — Page 7

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER «, IK*

COMRADES PERIL

CHAPTER 11. ' V ' “ ' J 4 ' Outlining a Plot. The Occidental hotel, Hicks proprietor, was merely a place In which one could sleep and eat, If one was thoroughly acclimated to border Ideas of •comfort. McCarthy, having ho home of his own, roomed over his saloon, but was compelled to eat the Hicks brand of cooking, and, with many apologies therefor', had, on this particular occasion, the ex-reverend from Buffalo Gap as his honored guest. •Shelby saw the two when he first entered, over in the farther corner and, as there chanced to be a vacant seat beside McCarthy, he made his slightly uncertain way in that direction and succeeded In safely establishing himself on the empty bench. The room was well filled with men. most of them still discussing the important event of the afternoon, and he soon became aware that the conversation of the two next to him bore upon the same subject. Shelby stared at the smoking, greasy mess outspread before him, prying open a soggy biscuit, and asked a ■question of McCarthy. “How’d the collection come out, Mac?” “What collection? Oh, for the gurl; ’bout five hundred, 'wa’n’t it, reverend?” “Four ninety-seven,” , said the preacher In his deep voice. “Quite an assistance for the young woman In this time of bereavement, as I am ■informed her father left little or no property.” “Property! Old Calkins! Well, I should say not. And what’s more,” the saloon-keeper becoming Interested, «I don’t see how that money’s goln’ ter do her much good. I was just talkin’ ter the dominie yere about her. Tom, what Is she agoin’ ter do? An’ what hed this town ought ter do fer her?”

“What do you mean? They done enough, ain’t they, with that swell funeral an’ five hundred bucks on top of it? What more would she expect?” “She don’t expect nuthln'. That ain’t her style. I got an idee she won’t even accept this bunch o’ coin. She’s the ornariest heifer I ever saw. But that’s got no bearin’ on us. She’s an orphan, left yere in Ponca with no visible means of support. She’s a decent girl; nobody ever said nuthin’ against her, and the way it looks ter me we got a moral duty ter perform. Ain’t-that it, Reverend?” “That is the thought I endeavored to convey,” returned the visitor from Buffalo Gap seriously. “You heard me, I presume, young man?” “Only the last few sentences,” admitted Shelby. “I don’t belong here, but just happened to drift in today.” “Tom’s ranchin’ over on the Cottonwood,” interrupted McCarthy, “but he’s a mighty straight guy, an’ I’d like ter have him express his feelin’s on this yere idee o’ yours, Reverend. It’s rather a new one on me.” The preacher straightened up and cleared his throat.

“Well, here’s the case of a young girl, seventeen or eighteen years old, who has had no experience whatever in life, suddenly left an orphan In this town, without any money or friends, so-to speak. Where can she go? What can she. do? There isn’t a place she could earn a living here, excepting the dance hall; there isn’t a place in this towfi she could call home. That is what I tried to make clear to Mr. McCarthy—that the men of this town ought to give her a chance. Mac here’s a married man; got a wife and two daughters of his own back East and he cottoned to my idea right away.” “But what is your idea?” “Marriage, sir—marriage; honorable matrimony. I even offer my services freely. The girl should be given a husband and a home; this would assure her future and relieve Ponca of every obligation. Do you see the point?” “Yes,” admitted Shelby, yet rather dazed at the project, “but there would seem to be certain obstacles in the way of such a scheme. No doubt you have considered these. Who, for instance, would marry her?” “There isn’t likely to be any trouble about that," confidently. “If she’d fix up she’d, be a right good-looking girl, besides, she’s got five hundred dollars to start with and that’s more money than a lot of these gazabos ever,saw in all their lives. Hl bet there’s fifty meh in Ponca that would jump at the chance.” ' . ' “Bounders and tln-horns.” “Some of them—sure. But there would be some decent fellows among them. That’s about how we figured It, McCarthy?” The saloonkeeper nodded. “There’s quite a few of the right kind ’round Ponca, Tom,' who’d be mighty glad to get a decent woman

By RANDALL PARRISH

CVPY&J&M'F &

arid settle down. I could name a half dozen right now. What I ain’t so sure ’bout is the gurl.” “She might object? Of course she will, and why shouldn’t she. You want to know what I think of the scheme, Mac? Well, It’s a fool idea and it won’t work —that’s what I think of it; it’s idiotic.” The Buffalo Gap man leaned forward, drawing in his paunch so as to view the speaker around McCarthy. The words of condemnation evidently cut. for his face was flushed, although he held his “That’s what Mac here said at first, but now he believes it will work, and so do I,” he explained gravely. “It isn’t at all likely the girl will object to getting married, provided she hooks up with a man she sort of likes. The only problem is to discover the right fellow.”

“And you think you can go out fn this town, rope an’ hog-tle any stray maverick you find on the range an’ give him the brandin’ iron, do yer?" “If you go at it right—yes. Thlk is a sporting proposition. That's where It will make a hit. Say we limit the chances to a dozen, or maybe fifteen; those fellows will bite at it like hungry fish. Everyone of them duffers will think he’s a lady’s man. I know them, and there never was a young fellow in pants who didn’t secretly believe he was a regular lady-Mller. That’s what’s going to round them up in a bunch; we'll give the girl a chanee to take her pick. That’s fair enough, isn’t it?" Shelby laughed, the situation as thus swiftly outlined appealing suddenly to his sense of humor. “That’s sure some scheme," he admitted cheerily, “and I’d rather like seein’ it pulled off. But it’s my notion that the girl is Hable to create some disturbance. She didn’t noways look to me like the sort who could

“That Girl Ain’t Even Halter Broke Yet”

be driven. It’s my idea that girl ain’t even halter broke yet, let alope willin’ to trot in double harness. Ain’t that the truth, Mac?” Shelby lit a cigar, waiting for the saloonkeeper to deliver his decision. “She’s a bit odd, an’ sorter bullheaded, yer might say,” the latter said finally. “That’s true enough, Tom. I had a time gettin’ her to go through them ceremonies this afternoon. She just wanted Old Dad planted quietllke. She’s mighty liable to be offish when the preacher first puts this proposition up to her. Lively as not she’ll throw a fit, but We’ll fetch her up to the trough just the same. You ain’t got any better scheme, have yer? The only way ter save a girl out in this country is ter marry her —ain’t that so?” “I reckon it Is. Got yer gang lined up yet?” “Not yet; there’s a plenty to choose from an’ I aim ter write out the list over at the saloon. How about you?” “Me? Not on your life, Mac; this is not my funeral.” “You’ll help us out, though?” “Sure; Pll talk it over with the boys and get ’em Interested. Pll even throw fifty dollars into the jack pot to give the happy couple a start. There’s nothin’ that will put more *pep’ intoi a prospective bridegroom than a bunch o’ money in sight. You two fellows figure it out ah’ Pll go overto the saloon and, sorter qulte-llke, feel the boys out a bit Where’ll you be In an hour?” ... .

THE TWICE-A-WEEK DEMOCRAT

“In my office. Who was you aiming to talk with?" "Oh, Cady, Jim Mack, ’Rowdy’ Egan an’ that bunch, They are the boys yer aimin’ to Interest. I reckon. How much of a jack pot do you alm tp raise?” McCarthy pondered a moment, his chin cupped In his hand. “Well, I’ll blow In two-fifty an’ I reckon there are those who, would raise it to a right smart figure. You kin talk a couple o’ thousand, Tom. As yer say, that’ll be quite a feature, an’ there ain’t no reason why we shouldfi’t pull the affair off ternight." The delicious and delicate humor of the situation was what particularly appealed to Shelby—the affair promised excitement and a good laugh. He was even convinced that the scheme might work and thus really prove, a benefit to the girt, if she only chose wisely; but at present his main Interest centered on the fun he expected to extract from tiie preliminaries. He had already decided on a general course of action; he would approach those whom he considered worthy, In a strictly diplomatic way, judiciously hinting at the possibility of Old Dad Calkins’ girl being an heiress and suggesting the advantage of her being sought In early marriage. It was merely an idea he proposed to advance, to be implanted In their minds, that she should not be allowed to escape from the community with all that money, nor snapped up by some mercenary stranger. During the next half hour Shelby managed to Interview at least a half dozen whom he considered eligible bachelors or lonely widowers, artfully selecting those known to be of a somewhat sportive disposition, td whom such h proposition as he had to offer might naturally appeal. A few of these treated the suggestion profanely; others were rather evasive, but the majority thus diplomatically approached evinced sufficient interest to yield much encouragement. His wares had been brought to a good market and Old Dad’s girl, rendered particularly attractive by a “dot” running up into the thousands, would find plenty of eager suitors. Now that the rumor of her eligibility was being privately circulated from mouth to mouth, any unnecessary delay would only render the affair more complicated. He would report at once the Success of his mission and urge his coconsplrators to immediate action. It would sure be a fine sight to see these fellows lined up while thtt girl looked them over, deliberately making a choice. Suddenly his gaze rested on a young man, dejectedly hanging over the end qf the bar, arguing with a bartender, who only shook his head impassively. Shelby moved along until he ranged up beside the fellow. "What’s your name?” "Joe Macklin.” “They call you ’Kid,’ don’t they, 'round here?”

“Sure; mostly. What are yer drivln’ at, anyhow?” “Why, this. I got a ranch over on the Cottonwood, an’ come in here to pick up a cow-hand. I got a halfbreed, but I need another. That’s where I stand.” “What’ll it pay?” “Forty dollars. You got a horse?” “Well, the critter looks like one; turned out in Powell’s corral, but I ain’t got no money to pay fer his feed. Yer’ll have ter blow me some coin.” “All right; here’s ten and Til pay Powell for the horse keep. You show up here sober at ten tomorrow, or else PH leave you here; that’s straight.” He strode away across the big crowded room and opened a door at the further end. Stepping across the threshold he closed the door behind him and faced McCarthy and the expreacher from Buffalo Gap, both of whom glanced up expectantly. Shelby leaned back against the wall and contemplated the two, chewing on the butt of a cigar. “Well,” he said bluntly, “the cards are stacked, gents; now, all you got to do Is to play your hands.” “What do you mean? The boys are for It?” “ilungry and snapping. I talked to quite a bunch. The one thing I’m afraid of is that some galoot may take a notion to hunt the girl up before we can get things into shape. That’s why I hurried in here. We got to pull the affair tonight." • The preacher spread his hands, waving the suggestion aside. “No, no; that really wouldn’t be decent, so soon after the funeral. The poor girl must be given opportunity to mourn in peace.”

“Shucks! It win give her something else to think about. Anyhow, that whole bunch will be’ after her by morning. What do you say, Mac?” “I don’t see no objections. TH# sooner it’s cleaned up the better and there won’t be no hard feelln’S among the boys, if we don’t give ’em any time to mill hround.” * “You aim to run the bunch in on her with no notice?” “No;. that’s up to the preacher. He invented this game and has got to take care of that end of It. I don’t know nothin’ ’bout females and don’t aim to learn. We’ll leave the girl to this gent from Buffalo Gap. Let him mosey right over and talk It out with her straight. He can put It sorter rellglous-llke. Say we give him an hour an’ then shoot the bunch over to the shack; that ought to be long enough for him to get the girl Into the right frame of mind, If She’s ever goln’ to be. Maybe she’ll take It all right and maybe she won’t. You ready to try your luck. Dominie?” ' “There Is no question In my mind,” he answered solemnly, “but that this is the proper method of procedure.

I am therefore resigned to do my part I shall undertake the mission in the high spirit of my calling.” “Well,” said McCarthy who had been writing industriously, “here's the list of gazabos I’ve made out. There ain’t no angels amopg ’em. but she sure ought to pull a prize out o’ that bunch, if she looks ’em Over” The preacher got to his feet “Tls as the Lord wills,” he said gravely. “I go humbly forth to do my part” \ (TO BE CpNTINUBD.)

KbMOIDS (GRANULES) For INDIGESTION Yaato good, do good; dissolve instantly on tongua or in water; take as needed. QUICK RELIEF! ALSO IN TABtrr Form FOR THOSK WHO PRKFgR THSM. MADS OY SCOTT * BOWNS MAKERS OF OTHE IK RED CROSS IN.4S K# PEACE TIME 1 . Child Welfare J , W Boys and girls who learn early to take proper care of their teeth, throats, eyes, ears arid stomachs, have made a long step toward healthy manhood and womanhood. Through Its public health and nursing services, the American Red Cross aims eventually to reach all school children with teachings regarding disease prevention and health promotion. Hbre s a school nurse treating a little girl for sore mouth, at the same time implanting a valuable lesson in teethbrushlng and proper diet.

A Proof.

“Women are awfully contrary.” “I should say so. Here, for instance, when a man beats his wife he generally makes a hit with hey.”

Prime Necessity.

“What Is the first thing to do whes you waht to give a good blow out?* “Raise the wind."

The Democrat’s job department la unexcelled for its ability to handle at all times the class of work that will please the most discriminating. That we may prove this assertion, let us have your future orders for job printing. < ~

HIM W _ DBAU» IM M M IN Mill ■Eiaaiu, in.

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS HOLDEN GREEN HOUSE PHONE 426.

INSURE IN formers Null !■• ■ Mill Of Benton, Jasper and Newton v/t“ Counties. Insurance Iri force January 1, 1920 The average yearly rate for the 24 years this Company has been in existence has been but 14 cents on the 1100 insurance, or 12.40 per |l,ooo. State Mutual Windstorm Insurance written in connection. MARION I. ADAMS t Rensselaer; S. A. Brusnahan, Parr, and J. P. Ryan (Gilliam tp.) Medaryville, R. V. D,; Wm. B. Meyers, Wheatfield; V. M. Peer, Kniman, are agents of this Company and will be pleased to give you any further information. Stephen Kobtey, Rensselaer, is the adjuster for Jasper county.

Declares Filipinos All Want Independence

Former Illinois Congressman, Back From Philippines, Gives Interesting Views on Island Affairs.

By FORMER CONGRESSMAN CLYDE H. TAVENNER.

Clyde H. Tavenner.

contact with all classes of the people. I found, however, that the viewpoint of Americans in the Philippines, and Americans in the United States, on the subject of Independence, is not the same. * The attitude of the American government, and the great mass of the people of the United States, m to consider the Philippine question from the unselfish viewpoint of what Is best for the Filipino people Ninety-five per cent of the opposition to independence emanates from American Investors Id the islands who are quite naturally more interested in the size of their dividends than the freedom of an alien people. The unfortunate feature of the situation Is that the opponents Of Independence, In order to convince the people of the United States that the Filipinos should not be granted their Independence, find It necessary to libel an entire race. To tell a sensitive Christian people that they yhall not have their promised Independence because they are not fit for It will in the end prove a mistaken policy. It will only make their demand for independence the stronger. At the present time, however, the masses of the Filipino people still have absolute confidence In the good faith of America. Their loyalty and gratitude to Uncle Sam has not as yet been Impaired by the misrepresentations of the retentionists. Their leaders are Intelligent enough to distinguish between those Americans who oppose their aspirations to Independence for purely selfish reasons, and the great mass of the American people whom they • know desire this government to do by the Filipinos only that which is just and right In this connection, it is Interesting to review the development of the present friendly relationship between the Filipino and American peoples. Previous to 1818 the PhilippineAmerican relationship is declared to have been not of the best. But with the passage in that year of the Jones law by practically both the Republican and Democratic memberships of Congrees, a better feeling developed. This "better feeling” has now grown into a very strong bond of sympathy and affection.

The happy attitude of the Filipino pedple toward America Is due not principally to the fact that Americans have shown the Filipinos'how to make their country a better place to live In; not principally to the fact we have superintended the Implanting In the Philippines of one of the finest educational systems In the work!; nor to the building of high class roads, bridges and public works—but Is due

The World’s Most Beautiful Volcano!

Nevertheless It Is a Reservoir of Titanic Destructive Powers.

Mayon Volcano, now quiet, but which in the recent past has taken many Ilves and destroyed much property. The Philippine Islands-are one of the most interesting lands in the world for the American tourist to visit.

Mount Mayon, in the province of Albay, Philippine Islands, is declared, to be one of the most beautiful volcanoes In the world. No matter from, Which side the mountain is viewed, the cone is almost perfectly symmetrical. The setting of the volcano has much to do with its exquisite beauty, as it rises to a height of 7,948 feet from an almost level plain. The peak is visible for mere than 00 miles, its regular, bare slopes near the top giving rare reflections from the illumination of the sun, while at its base is on« st the most productive and picturesque landscapes to be seen anywhere in the world. A magnificent road, 120 miles in length, circles the mountain at its base, passing through the most varying scenery. Mayon has a history as an active volcano. It has destroyed whole towns. The most destructive eruption was in 1814, when 1,200 persons were killed, it last came to life in 1900, sending a river of lava Into the sea at a distance of 8 miles son| *** crater. Since then it has been quiet. . •*'

The 10,600.000 inhabitants j>f the Philippines ‘are practically unanimous In their desire for Independence. This is the strongest Impression that I have brought back with me after touring the Islands from one end to the other, and after having come in

principally to the fact that in the Jones law gave the Filipinos her word of honor that as soon as a stable government could be established we would withdraw our sovereignty from the Philippine Islands. It rrilght, at first thought, seem strange that in their sincere appreciation of all that we have done for them the Filipino people should placw most, emphasis on the promise to grant them their Independence. For it cannot be successfully denied that on the whole the United States has treated the Filipino people better than any nation ever treated a dependent alien people in all the days since the curtain rose on the dawn of civilization. If we do not spoil IL It *• * rec ® rd we can be proud of.

But it really isn’t so strange that the Filipino should love us more fee our promise to give them sovereignty over themselves than for our other good works, for which, after all, outside of army and navy the Filipinos have been taxed, and properly so, for every cent of the css* If we but reverse the situation, and place ourselves in the shoes of the Filipinos, which cannot be said to bo an unfair way of getting at the other fellow’s viewpotnL we shall see that it Is not strange. Suppose that Great Britain or any other power that you can think of by referring to your geography or history, should- impose Its sovereignty upon an against our wUI and then give us an infinitely better government than wa now enjoy 1 Could any such foreign power ever succeed in convincing an that It had our welfare more at Heart than we have ourselves. But to return to my story, the Filipinos heartily thanked us for the Jones law, considering it a sort of a covenant between the Filipino and American peoples, and immediately applied themselves to the task es setting up the prescribed stable government. And they set it up. It is In the Philippines now. America's own representative in the Islands, the governor general, officially reports it la there, and recommends that since the Filipinos have earnestly fulfilled their part of the agreement, America should be as prompt ,in carrying out Its part of the contract So thaL in a few words, It is not the Philippines that now are on trial, but the United States. » There Is but one answer. America will carry out Its agreement And since we are going to do it wo cannot afford to quibble and split hairs and i hesitate until our tardiness robs no of half the glory of,our achievement Let us act with a promptness and wilk, ingness really worthy of America. And when the people of the United States set up the Philippine Republic as the first Christian democracy st the Far EasL they dill be building a monument to themselves that will stand throughput eternity. On that day the beacon light of hope, humanity and justice will flash around the world. Such an example by America will aocompllsh more for the weak and stra* gling peoples of the earth than the four year world war, with all its cost in life and treasure. * \

PAGE SEVEN