The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-03-13

the irishman. you are undoubtedly labor-
ing under an optical illusion.'
SThrue,' said the lrishman, beginning to
doubt himself; smcbbe Pm mustakin, but If
am, must be drunk -
Possibly answered Bolus.
| sYis, | must be drunk and 30 the Irish
man took his departure, believing himself
to be intoxicated. 49, +
| This unlocked for occurrence somewhat
ruined the usually grave but peevish Bolus,
and turning to me he gave me ringing box
on the ears with Go wash your face, you
dirty little scamp And these were the
thanks received for giving my evidence
and getting him out Of the scrape; and
really believe that at that moment would
have willingly given all my ill-gotten gains
to have seen the Irishman return. Although
l complied with the order without grumbling,
still determined to have revenge, and only
waited for favorable moment to make q
practical illustration. I had then been
studying chemistry long time, and knew
we'll that the slightest concussion would ig-
mite chlorate Of potassium, sulphur and salt
peter when mixed, and cause an explosion !;
and this knowledge determined to use in
furthering my plan for revenge.
was not obliged to wait long, and se-
cretly chucklcd in anticipation Of my revenge.
A few days after was ordered to powder
! some birthstone, but not known to B0lus,
had previously prepared my Internal COM
pound. ..5.s.z.
Bolus always made it rule to examine
nv work, and usually gave it the finishing
touch himself, and to make assurance
doubly sure,' had not half powdered the
birthstone, when submitted it to his in
spection; not, however, until ! had secretly
thrown in handful of my explosive COM
pound.
Doctor said /, handing him the pcstle,
Il can't powder this any more, will you see
if it is fine enough?'
As spoke, Bolus came forward, but See
ing the birthstone hardly broken, he returned
me the pestle and a slap on the ear, (which
| duly registered on my memory, determined
to repay with interest, and told me If did
not pound harder, he would pound me.
Here was nice predicament. II ! done
as was told, would, in all probability,
blow my fingers of, and SO fall into my own
snare. However, there never was n way to
get into scrape that there was not way to
get out, lat least SO it appeared to me,) for
instead Of pounding the ingredients at the
bottom of the mortar, gave the sides such
tremendous whacks, that l absolutely elic-
tied the admiration of Doctor Bolus, who
soon arose to make o second examination.
Imagine his surprise to behold the contents
still unbroken. -.. -.-.....--.
sWhat on earth is the matter with this .
said he, as he took the pestle from my hand
to strike the fatal blow, q never saw the
like. - ...
In another moment his arm descended,
and an explosion, such as l never heard be-
fore, was the consequence; blowing his shirt
and coat sleeves from his arm, and burning
him severely, though not seriously.
'Watcr! watcrv he cried, in agony, sJa-
cob, get me some waterp
In moment the desired article was in my
hand, and at his request poured it plenti-
fully over the wounded parts, when, oh
horror! what had done? In the confusion
of the moment had snatched up the wrong
bottle, and had bathed his arm with the
spirits of hartshorn.
This was too much for the nerves of poor
Bolus, and in the agony which followed he
tainted. Here was in another predicament.
What could do? could not run for a
physician, and leave Bolus insensible, so
again had recourse to the treacherous am.
monia; not, however, until had saturated
his arm with linseed oil and lime water.
Under the influence Of the restorative he
soon revived, and then came the tremendous
whacks anticipated my fatal mistake would
produce, although Bolus, who was q worse
chemist than myself, always remained in
ignorance as to the cause of the explosions
In month Bolus had recovered, and
could again attend to his regular business
l, of course, received the usual amount of
whacks per diem, all of which managed tc
return in one way or another with interest
l was then only fifteen years old, and young
as was, my heart had been hardened and
made resentful by the cruel treatment ex.
perienced at the hands of Bolus. had nc
pity, no remorse, and all my thoughts were
engrossed by schemes for revenge. alway,
had some new trick planned and ready to bt
put into execution, and, with the exception
of one or two, such rs adulterating Bolus
tea with SIENNA, and his coffee with aloes,
rarely repeated them.
Besides these invented numerous ways oi
teasing him. When his tongue got started
l would whistle Yankee Doodle, and wher
be struck me l would accidently break q
bottle or gradute, or spill some expensive
solution on the floor; by these and many
other minor offences, the reader can easily
form correct opinion of my character.
can now call to memory one day that acci.
IDENTIFY let bottle fall on Bolus' foot, spat.
tering his clothes with sulphuric acid hi
gave me a severe whipping, and as alway.
moderated my revenge according to thu
amount of injury received, so determined
the punishment should be severe. As the
reader will perceive, if it was not as painful
it was at least more provoking and ridicu.
lous. The next morning was the time fol
its execution.
Luckily had made up an unusually large
quantity of the tincture of gals, and having
saturated his towel thoroughly, hung it uT
to dry, and then folded it carefully and laid
it in its usual place. l then powdered some
nitrate Of silver, and mixing small guam
tity of the sulphate of iron with it, threw
it into his wash-basin and calmly awaited
the result. S ~aS t'
All the afternoon and evening was ex-
ceedingly careful to perform his bidding
with alacrity and precision; and Bolus seem
ed to be pleased with my willingness; fer as
was about retiring for the night, he gave
me q glass of root becr-a beverage in which
l had but few opportunities to indulge
However, the thoughts of my revenge were
sweeter than the beer, and his kindness had
no effect whatever upon me.
then retired for the night, and, after q
refreshing sleep, arose and had the fire
kindled and the store scrupulously neat ere
Bolus made his appearance. Luckily the
/ dye did not color the skin Immediately, and
Bolus remained for time in sweet uncon-
seriousness Of the trick that had been played
upon him. .sa
About eight O'Clock was sent on an er.
rand, and was confident that before re-
turned, my compound would have worked
the intended effect. fingered on my way
back to the store, almost afraid to enter,
but fearful lest my prolonged stay might
create suspicion, ! at last made my appear
ance. stt s E@ @tt
At first did not credit my own senses; !
did indeed intend to blacken Bolus' face, but
did not intend to make tattoed caDnibal
Of him; but there he stood, the very picture
Of despair, striped and blacker than any
Ethiopian had ever beheld. First, he would
view his hideous physiognomy in the mirror,
and then plunge his head in q large tub Of
water, which stood behind the counter. II
was in vain TINT endeavored to strangle the
laugh which spontaneously arose to my
Il 81 4 \ L.. -