The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-06-24
The Far West.


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 "a
calves, IN the early spring. The doctor
maintains that young animals, in their
ineXpericncc, cat grcedily of certain nox.
lous weeds, and that the poison thereby
assimilated IS transferred to the blood of
the consumer Of the animals flesh. AS this
assertion was disputed by some of his CON
temporary NJ. DPS, DR.. Potts determined
to make some useful experiments before
giving to the world his discovery. lie ac-
cordingly purchased sx-months' cali
one OF the kind that appear to be built on
stllts-and, as the doctor had no back ward
TO speak OF, he had the brcvet COW placed
IN the cellar, where he proposed to mix the
weeds ln}question among its food for few
days prior to its being converted into test
outlets, SO to speak. The China boy was
Drlbed not to mention the calfs presence to
the other members of the household, who.
1t 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
stout leather muZzle on its nose.
That night the doctor was awakened bv
Mrs. Potts, who sat up in pod and pasnrJ
In horror-strickcn voice: 'Gaclous
heavens! Archibald, don't you hear thnt
singular noise down stairs?"
The calf had evidently gotten the muzy,o
about half off, and was making a prculiar
sound, resembling small. foghorn tortured
by remorse but Old Potts stammcrcd ont
that he couldn't hear anything in particu
lar.
mot hear anything, DIR. Pottsg Are
you deaf9 just listen to that It's per
fectly blood-curdling.
"Perhaps it's rats hazarticd the niser
able physician.
"Rats, DR.. PoltsI Are you insane
Did you ever hear rats wailing like A lost
soul i'll purgatory3"
"Wcll, not exactly like it," said the doc
tor, soothingly, ''but perhaps"
cant stand it moment longer.
shall go wild If you don't 20 down and see
what's the matter. It's my belief tbot
burglars are trying to murder All Wrong"
"Wcll, my dear, if you insist I'll--"
But lust'then there came 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 lie dead yet ?" said one OF the crowd
as the doctor pokcd his head out.
us who dcad?" said the latter much
astomshcd.
"Why, your brother, down there in the
cellar. Didn't you tell us your brother had
mace Dig strike in stocks, and was COM
ing 10 stay with you this wcck7" asked
hloimus, the doctors ncxt-door neighbor.
"Why, yes2 What of it,"
HH0n cold -hloof1n,l u,llo;, ~
pose no one heard you numbering him in
the cellar just now? BY Jove, he is not
ten /" '' '''
"lf you don't lemmc in III bust the door
down." said one of the police.
'Oh, Archibald to think you should
turn out to he murderer" gaspcd Mrs.
Potts, going into Mysteries.
Old Potts was too mad to utter word.
lie just walked down stairs in his pipht-
cap, admitted the whole crowd, conducted
1t to the cellar stairs, handed the policeman
a candle. and told him to go ahead. lie
then went up stairs and awaited results
VI 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 disgustcd
men.
When they had all gone, Old Potts quiet
~ descended, locked the house up again,
tied sponge full of chloroform round the
calf's nose, rcsuscitatcd Mrs. p, and then
returned gIoomily to his dreams of science.
Thus ended one of the most interesting in
ciacnts OF pioneer life In the far West.