The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-02
IN DEADLY PERIL.
Heroic Conduct of Brave
Women.
AWFUL EXPLOSIONS AVERTED
But for Timely Action Five Innocent
Young Lives Might Have Been
Destroyed.

GILRoY Feb. Five terrific explosions
that might have easily occurred simultane-
ously or ad seriatim on ranch near Gill
roy last night and attended with fearful
loss of life were only averted by the untir-
ing efforts OF two heroic women. 1t was a
night of agonized terror and suffering, the
like of which has never been chronicled
either before or since the war.
However, no lives were lost, but FIVE
little fat round-faced, chubby boys are
tearfully wishing to-day that they had never
been born into this world of misery and
woe.
The healthy progressive appetttes of these
five little robust country boys, coupled with
a desire TO eat anything and every thing that
came their way, regardless of results, was
what brought about crisis in their young
lives.
Three &C the youngsters-the Melt0ns-
live with their parents and aged grandma
on a ranch about nine miles and half
southeast of Gilroy. The boys range in age
from 9 to l. years, and are constituted like
other boys of that age, including an ever
present and absorbing passion for food in
any form.
Last night Mr.. Melton was away from
home, and the women folks. on account of
the prevalence of tramps, were afraid 10
remain in the house without grown male
protector. So at shutdown Mrs. Melton sent
the oldest boy, Tom, 10 the Harris ranch,
nearly a mile away. to see if lie couldn't
borrow the hired man till morning. An
hour later Tom returned without the hired
man, who had gone to town, so Tom said,
hut he had the two Harris boys. wearing
knickerhOckers. in tow.
The women were inclined 10 doubt the
efficiency of these two tender youths as a
budvsuard through the long night, but Tom
assured them it was all right And were
not he and his two little brothers also
standing by for call in the event OF tramps !?
There was no help for il, SO Mrs Melton
and grandma bundled the five little round,
tat boys into one big bed in the front room
''It's best TO have 'em all in bunch" said
grandma. flor if the tramps do come they'll
think there's a whole regiment here when
the boys set in to boiler"
So thought Mrs Melton as she tucked the
kids under the blankets croSswiSe on the
bed with their fee. to the wall.
They had all been to supper only a short
time before, but in spite of that fact a
raging famine broke out ere they had rested
ten minutes.
The Harris boys were actually on the
verge of starvation, but their mother had
told them it wasn't polite to ask for things
managed TO impart the intelligence that
vietuals would not be amiss a bout that time
without saying so in as many or even less
words.
The Melton boys knew what they would
get il they asked their mother for pie or
even bread at that lime OF night. no matter
if there was company in the house.
Finally the smallest Melton boy recalled
the Joyous fact that under the bed IN which
they lay was box of home-cured dried APP
pies his mother had placed there out Of Tie
way Of himself and rapacious brothers.
These viands were dragged forth and the
bows partook freely-sO freely, in fact, that
they could hold no ore. II was delicious
gorge. and the Harris boys said they were
glad they came.
At the conclusion OF the banquet the little
fat BOYS cudded up and said their prayers.
They cannot now recall whether or not
they fell asleep, out they may have SUM
bered the sweet sleep of innocent childhood
for an hour or so.
At any rate, some time in the night the
biggest Harris boy felt for his brother and
said:
SAY. Tod. don't you feel kind a. funny ?"
Yes, +" whispered the infant, whose MIND
was filed with strange forebodings.
"Whei e p
Inside # me, guess"
$50 90 /, aud smOthered gr0an escaped
him.
Just then one Of the Melton BOYS emitted
a subdued gurgle, anOther-the little one
grunted and Tom suddenly drew his knees
uD under his chin. grtted his teeth and then
| kicked out straight against the wall.
Are you awake Tommy" asked one OF
| his brothers.
Yes" replied Tom between his teeth.
$50 am ."
There was silence for moment. then the
| little Harris boy began to cry softly.
What's the matter withyou." demanded
| Tom.
Pm full of hurts" was the reply fol-
/ lowed by sob, as Teddy curled himself up
| into ball OF concentrated misery.
| Then came more grunts and sobs mixed
| with mild. bucolic cuss words contributed
| by The oldest boys.
81 know wha, 1t is" said Tom.
"What." was the stifed chorus from un-
| der the covers.
| ITS the apples. They've swelled inside
Of rs and we are all fOuDdeIed."
| Weapings, waiiings and writings fol-
! lowed this awful announcement, rs the collie
! frightened its grip and threatened 10 tear the
| sufferers asundeF.
Hadn't somebody better be told about
?" asked the biggest Of the HAIRLESS, after
a spasm that left MIN short Of breath.
! Nav, we're all right" replied Tom,
feeling tenderly of his buging abdomen.
But the confused murmur of sounds under
| the blankets convinced him that his dag
ter how well it suited him. His error was
made still palmer by still, small voice
piping:
SAY, Tom. what's good for founder ?'
81 once saw Uncle Henry give turpentine
| 70 p cOlicky horse"
Did it help hlm!
"Yes, lots"
Get US some turpentine, won't you please,
Tom" mOaned his brother in earnest sup
| pllcating tones.
Tom crawled out of bed, sneaked through
the sitting-room and into the pantry, where
| he took down a quart bottle nearly full oil
| spirits Of turpeutnP.
With this paracea for founder Tom
| crept back 10 bed, where the bottle was
eagerly clutched by the plague-stricken in
fanIs
They swallowed great gulps of the pun
| gent spirits, but, strange to say, it failed Il
| bring relief. 1t burned their throats, and
with the pain in their stOmachs the torture
was more than they could endure. The
crisis was At hand and the foundered body
guard shrieked aloud IN its agony.
Land OF goodness. the tramps have
| came J! cried the startled grandma, sittinl
| I'D 10 bed. Her daughter however, knew
tramp's voice when she heard ii. Light
ing candle Mrs. Melton rushed in on the
| b0dy-guaTd.
1t needed rusher, for the guard was In
| truly deplOrable not TO say demOraliZed
| condition. ne DeuclOtneS were TWISTED
| into knots, and so were the boys. while theiI
| little bellies were puffed up as hard and
round and tight as toy balloons.
! Come quick, mother. The whole batch
| IS poisoned" She screamed as the fumes OF
the turpentine reached her nOstriIs
But by the time the old lady reached the
| room, Tom explained the situation as well as
| he could. and the two women went TO work
on tie fOundered kids.
1t was an awful job, but those willing
hands never Jagged. Mrs Melton poured
mustard and water into the victims of appe-
lite. and then. while she was out for some
bricks to heat, grandma dosed them with
| salts.
Hot bricks were placed on their swollen
| stomachs. and hot plasters applied to their
necks and feet, besides which they were
rolled and padded and kneaded till nearly
daylight. During these operations one OF
| the NILE MELONS walled ont.