The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-05-05
Sc ELECTED TALES.
THE BIRTHDAY TREE.
From thc German Of StoRe-by .ui.s Plumb.
VIM

VIII.
"Ah, my dear Doctor" cried Sir William
who was seated before massive folio. wei
come. welcome no specific YETI Here
have been a whole day turning over these
cursed biographies Of famous polsoners bu
they are all bunglers, smstterers; there is nc
thorough going plan, no system. Doctor,
saw this morning more clearly than ever, wha
miserable, mischlcvous, wicked, maliciou,
wretches are the whole race of men. Here foi
an hour, under my window, the idle vaga
bonds OF the street have been carrying on thci
dsvIsh riots. Heaven only knows what the,
are about; but their mischievous, maliciou,
dispositions were as clear as the day. II on,
could give the other sly thump, the Who'll,
devils brood Of them burst out laughing IN,
laughter went through my very homes. How
fearful was the thought OF the increase Of suc
race My dear doctor, how Ear are YOU ad
vauced in your search ?"
The vaslness Of the undertaking." replied
the physician, " AS well as the danger we run
from the police, demand the utmost caution.
Precipitation can only njure our enterprise
VIC must approach the goal step by srcp"
VERY rrue-very right" observed Sir VII
liam; but furher"-
1t would also be uuadvisabls to work upon
the mass before We have made tho experiment
on a smaller scslc,"
"Qune night; but, my dear doctor, the
specIGc"-
think have discovered one"
"Oh glorious doctor" cried Sir William
eagerly embracing him, what is it ?"
" 1t will require, Indeed. trial beforehand ;
and wish you to be present to witness the
manner IN which the poison works"
with the greatest pleasure. Noia Jeac-I
do not intend to be It's victim myself"
Never fear; for the specific has the advan-
tage over all Others. The prussic acid is the
most deadly Of all known poisons, and is found
10 the kernels OF the peach, plum, cherry, &c.
The idea occurred to me that the acid also ex.
lsied in the blossom OF these fruit-trees in a
more concentrated form ! examined the bios.
SONS; but found my expectations disappointed
as often as ] made the tral. | thought no
more of the matter until my acquaintance With
you renewed the subject in my mind, aud by
more drligent search found what sought"
You found it, my darling doctor in the
blossom ol The tree !''
" Not Ia the natural blossom which the
spring produces, bui IN the ardfciai-that
which is forced upon nature"
But how Is tina, possible ;" asked Sir VIII
liam, astonished.
1t is very easy. BY chemical agent
have discovered the sap Of the tree is so iucreas-
cd and strengthened that it bursts into bloom
almost at once without regard to the season o
the year. This forcing OF nature is productive
Of the most wonderful effects. The prussit
acid exists in these flowers in It's strongest form
their scent is death"
Excellent! but, my dearest DOCTOR" inter
rupted Sir William
Let me come TO an end. This scent pos
sesses the property Of contsglon, and can b'
made to infect the natural and healthy bio.
SONS in the spring, so that by means Of sing
tree a whole country can be poisoned. Tn
other means Of spreading it through the al
must also be considered. If fortune lavors ",
we can be doue with Europe next spring.
, .. Wonderful man! :" cried Sir William ia nd
mlratiou; 1.-The human race is not worthy c
abors 80 suLlipe even for their destruction
, But for us to whom this undertaking belong.
where shall lre find an antidotel ;"
" he were poor poisousr," cried tho doctor
who thought not Of that. 1t has been in m
cellar in weIl-seaed TASKS, for year past"
" Victoria :" cred the Engll,hlnau, cIappn
, his hands.
As FOR the trial." continued the physician
" II IS this have. IN the park Of the country
seat Of the baron Won E,chberg. some tree
with the arfLfciaL blossoms, yet so Inferior ar
they that their scent has no effect upon a per
son Ia sound health that docs not esrne To-
near The baron's lamily shall be present, no.
see the miracle with their own eyes"
d Bot Il the strength has no effect" inter
. rupted SIR William, " how can We judge Of th
poison p
Among the members Of the bsron's family
{ replied the doctor, "is beautiful, but d.lIcst
B asd nervous, young lady; beg you 10 obser'
2 her stuttly. and see what effect the first seen
= Of the cherry blossoms has on her 10 hei
n whose nerves are eHqusiiely susceptible, 20
= may sec the influence Of the poison. She VI
E probably die On the spot; bat her death ~
be attributed " her disease whereas w. nict
be suspected in the case Of healthy person.
n perhaps mi got be brought ia conflict With ia
L police
81 understand, my good sir; and vhen sLa
ve make the tHal ,"
y Tomorrow, 81 noon, II fortune fJvors U
lot one thing ar extraordinarily rress.