Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-06-24
The Far w est.

Old DIR. Potts, of San Francisco, and who
is an enthusiast in his profession, is the
originator of the theory that much disease
Is transmitted to human beings through eat
ing the flesh of immature animals, such as
calves IN the early spring The doctor
maintains that young animals, in their
inexperience, eat greedily of certain nox-
ious weeds, and that the poison thereby
assimilated Is transferred to the blood of
the consumer of the animal flesh. AS this
assertion was disputed by some of his con-
temporary NJ DIS, DR.. Potts determined
TO make some useful experiments before
giving TO the world his discovery. He ac-
cOrdingly purchased a six-mOnths' calf
one OF the kind that appear to be built on
stilts-and, as the doctor had no back yard
to speak of, he had the brevet cow placed
in the cellar, where he proposed to mix the
weeds lniquestion among its food for few
days prior 10 its being converted into test
outlets, so to speak The China boy was
bribed not TO mention the calf's presence to
the other members of the household, who,
il happened, had been absent while the
quadruped was being secretly let down
through the coal-hole by the butcher To
prevent its bleating the doctor had placed
a stout leather muzzle on its nose
That night the doctor was awakened by
Mrs. Potts, who sat up in ped and gasped
in a horror stricken voice: ''Graclous
heavens! Archibald don't you hear that
singular noise down stairs? ~
The calf had evidently gotten the muzzle
about half off, and was making a peculiar
sound, resembling small foghorn tortured
by remorse, but Old Potts stammered out
that he couldn't hear anything in particu-
lar.
''Not Lear anything, DR.. Potts? Are
you deaf2 Just listen to that It's per-
fectly blood -curdIng. -
'Perhaps it's rats, hazarded the miser-
able physician.
Gratis, DR.. Potts Are you insane?
Did you ever hear rats wailing like lost
soul i'll purgatory Z"
''Well, not exactly like it, > said the doc
tor, soothingly, ''but perhaps"
81 can't stand it moment longer |
shall go wild If you don't go down and see
what's the matter. it's my belief that
burglars are trying to murder All Wrong"
well, my dear, if you insist Ill-"
But just then there came a sudden Jerk
at the bell and terrible hammering at the
front door. The doctOr put up the window
and beheld delegation of about fifty half
dressed neighborS with four police officers
III their midst.
''Is he dead yet ?" said one OF the crowd,
as the doctor poked his head out
'Is who dead?" said the latter much
astonlshed
''Why, your brother, down there in the
cellar. Didn't you tell us your brother had
made big strike in stocks, and was COM
ing 10 stay with you this week9" asked
Didimus, the doctors next-door neighbor.
"Why, yesl What of itl"
''YOu cold blooded villain. Do you sup
pose no one heard you numbering him in
the cellar just now? By Jove, he is not
dead yet-he's groaning still. Just lis
ten!"
IF you don't lemme in III bust the door
down." SAID one of the police
''Oh, Archibald TO think YOU should
turn out to be a murderer" gasped Mrs.
Potts, going into Mysteries.
Old Potts was too mad TO utter a word.
de just walked down stairs in his night
cap, admitted the whole crowd, conducted
it TO the cellar stairs, handed the policeman
candle, and told him to go ahead. He
then went up stairs and awaited results.
OF course the calf made break for the |
light as soon as it saw it. The big officer |
holding it was upset by terrible butt in |
the stomach, the candle went out, and,
amid the rattling of the coal and the un-
earthly yells of the crowd, the cellar began |
to vomit forth hatless, grimy, and disguised |
men.
When they had all gone, Old Potts quiet
ly descended, locked the house up again,
tied sponge full of chloroform round the |
calf's nose, resuscitated Mrs. P, and then
returned glOomily to his dreams of science. |
Thus ended one of the most interesting in
cidents of pioneer life in the far West.