Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1888-08-03

tNYell," continued Pellico, 81 hav,
invented it. l have chemical com
pound that can be projected into tn,
enemy's lines through the medium of
shell, and when the shell bursts deadly
vapor spreads over an area of 100 yards
killing every living thing. One shell i
capable of killing IN entire regiment.
"Alan alive" exclaimed tho Ma, or
"that would be murdcrl"
"And what is war2" asked Pellico il
his low, soft voice.
The subject did not drop there. Tho
man 10 black had so much to say about
his invention that tho Major found him.
self deeply Interested
"This little thing" said Pellico, OK
hibiting something that looked like pill
covered with tin foil, "would kill house
full of people"
ut is hard to believe"
slot me convince you," urged the
chemist. ''lf you will walk u square
with mo will show you something"
The MAJOR OBJ ccted, but the Italian
assured him that his intended victims
wee several hogsin the rear of the cdi-
flee.
When they reached the place they
found the hogs quietly snoozing in u
fence corner.
Then they retired fifty yards or SO,
and fellico blew his little pill through q
hollow cane.
"Wait three minutes" he said.
At the expiration of that time the two
approached the fence corner.
Four large hogs lay stretched out on
the ground. 1t required only glance
to see that they were all dead.
"Now," said tho chemist, rs they
walked away, "this experiment is on
very small scale, but you can form an
idea from what you have seem"
ut is astonishing" commented the
Major.
Nothing to what l have DONE" said
the man in black. Gin Cuba | took Il
sling and threw ball of that stuff rs big
Us my fist into u village. The next
morning it was found that all the in
habitants, some 800 CT 400, were dead
People. outside supposed it was some
mysterious epidemic, bot it was not"
Major Dalton drew himself aloof from
his companion.
"Anl you killed those innocent
people for nothingl" he asked indig-
nantly.
SIN the interests of science, my dear
Major. Besides they were native Cubans
! would not have treated genuine Span
iards that way"
The Major pulled his moustache and
walked on in silence for few minutes.
"What do you propose~ he asked,
after some reflection.
"My scheme is big one" replied Pei
leo. "a few little pellets thrown into
Libby, Salisbury and Andersonvillo will
rid us of all the Yankee prisoners and
save our Government no end Of expense.
Then they must use my invention in the
fled. The armies Of Sherman and Grant
will melt away before it, and few hun
drcd projoctilcs fired from long range
guns into New York will turn that me-
tropolis into city of the dead What
do you sayw
"IIallo, Corporal, come hcrcw yelled
the MAJOR.
Several soldiers ran to the spot in a
hurry.
Seize himr shouted tho officer, and
take him to the guard house lie is an
enemy, murderer, Satan himself, | be-
licve. But hold on-scarch him"
''Only some papers and these pills, "
said the Corporal.
"lll take them" said the Major. "Now
hustle him oil to the guard house"
The Major walked with rapid strides
to the Office of the commander of the
post. The provost marshal was sum-
moned as party to the conference, and
other officers were also called in.
The council lasted until very late
hour. Never in their whole military ex-
pericnco Ind the officers been confronted
with so serious a problem.
When they dispersed tho sentinel out
side heard one of them say
''llc is a monster, an enemy to the
whole human race. We cannot accept
his aid, and if we let him 20, he may at
any time turn against lis and against our
people"
There is but one thing to do" said
the Major.
The next day the man in black was
found dead in the guard house. BY his
side lay shred Of tin foil.
81 searched him." said the Corporal,
"end took all those shiny pills away
from him. How did that get there |
wonder, and what in the mischief is il
anyhow2"
The commander of the post, the Pro
vost- Marshal and Ma or Dalton showed
little surprise when they heard of Pclli
cos death. The Corporal, however
heard the Provost Marshal speaking il
an nndertone to the Major.
"What did you do with the Other
pellctsl" he said.
Il rode out to the river and thew then
in" answered the Major.
"All right" responded the marshal
"This has been strange piece of busl
ness from first to last, but | don't think
that our conscicnccs will ever hurt us fo
our part in it."
Long years afterwards gray haired
Confederate veteran mentioned some o
the facts of the case to circle of inter
ested listeners.
"And who was Pellico2" some on
asked.
I have always thought he was Satan,
replied the veteran.
.'Did the Major really kill himp' in
quircd lady.
The veteran shut one eye and TWISTED
his moustachc.
We had better not talk about that.
he said, "but you may rest assured tina
| if he did kill the wretch he has neve