The Chipley banner. (Chipley, Washington County, Fla.) 1893-1943, 1899-12-23

drawing advertisement. But you,
youngsters"-h kindly glance in.
cluded Bobbie-'are surely equal to
such O task, and as a stimulant to
mental effort make this offer; I will
give q prize OF Ave dollars for the
most attractive advertisement written
within the next thirty days. And il
by O window exhibit, or by any other
means, you can manage to draw q
crowd, house full, I'll give twenty
five dollars to the originator Of the
scheme" E
A few mornings later, as I was re-
turning to the store from my break.
fast, noticed ON unwonted crowd
before the store. The doorway was
full, and as many as could And place
were gazing in at the windows. So
intently vas I watching this that
didn't see Bobbie till I had almost
knocked him down.
"What has happened?" I asked, for
saw that his face was red and
swollen, and tears were streaming
from his eyes. -.
doctor Wiseman sent me to tell
YOU" he sobbed, hopping his face
with . thoroughly saturated handker-
chief. II fixed glass Of poison,
sweetened it, and left II on the coun-
ter for the cat that lioks oil the glasses,
you know, and Mr.. Caldwell thought
It was medicine he had left there,
r-e-c.k .on, and-and-"
Bobbie broke down completely.
"He didn't drink itp" cried, aud
my heart stood still. ''What sort oil
poison was it?"
"All Sorts" answered Bobbie. 81
took some of most everything in the
store marked poison"
Here Doctor Wiseman joined me,
followed by most OF the crowd out.
side, whose shrill whispers, "Do you
think he will die?" hurt me keenly.
zone trouble" said Doctor Wise
man to me, sis that we don't know
what he has taken nor how much Of
1t. And let me caution you, he mus,
not know he has taken poison. His
heart has always been weak, and
fear the shock would kill him, even il
the effects OF the poison can be coun
teracted. He complains of head
ache, dizziness and nausea. but attri
butes it to indigestion. have done
all I can do at present, but I shal
stay here next door, and you must cal
me at once il there is need"
Mr.. Caldwell looked pale and bag
gard, and there was puzzled, troub
led look in his eyes which deepenet
when he saw my pale, agitated face,
In answer to his solicitous inquiry
was not feeling we'll, and Treadwel
and I exchanged sadly signifcan
glances as Mr.. Caldwell continued:
Eve are all getting sick at once
Rather hard on ms. isn't it9 Ant
Bobbie. poor boy, has almost ruined
his face with pepper"
! glanced OF the child, busy at hi
post, the tears still raining down hi
cheeks, and thought had never wit
messed more poignant grief.
A gloomier crowd never formed
part Of, and there was that undercur
rent of excitement which is SO har
rowing to the nerves. Some made
pretense OF talking. but 1t seemed i'm
possible for any one TO keep eithe
thoughts or eyes of Mr.. Caldwell. ye
when he cast around him that mild
iiinquiring glance, every eye avoide
He was busy all he time, and
were We, wrapping mp small pui
shases. Nobody seemed anxious
buy, yet they made . pretense {
wanting something. I never forge
Tor an instant what attracted then
and reoenting their morbid curiosit,
ventured to ask Mr.. Caldwell to g
home and rest.
What, when trade Is 90 goodl NJ
nor he answered, smiling ct me.
Then Treadwell and united in Q
snort 10 clear tbs house, Covertl