Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-06-01
The Wager.
ayTFST IN WHICH SCIENCE HAD NO
SHOW.
By Charles Dwight Willard.

counting Long Tom, the guide.
r two days hard climbing, which
mrros endured with exemplary
rtude. we arrived at the little val
bich I'D in the mountains, through
,1ih threaded the trout-stream.
lest you all go over into the cabin
.ge and make yourself mf'ble,
rIh | tend to gettin' this stuff I'M
sEed," said Long Tom; there amt
none there. My pardner, he's down
RbW"
The cabin appears to be two
- Ybins," said the colonel, as we ap-
mached it.
That is for economy in ridge-poles, y
aid the doctor; sleeping apartments
% one side and kitchen on the other.
In the space between, you keep your
fshng-tackle and worms"
We entered the right-hand section of
The twin cabin, which proved to be
The kitchen side. There was not much
tWniture-a table of hewn logs, chair
Of bent saplings, and rough bench.
However, we did not notice such fur
lIiture as there was, for each member
Of the party, as he stepped over the
high threshold, had his attention in
Stantly attracted by the stove, and a
brief rOundelay of CALCULATIONS went
the group.
Well, that staggers me-" said the
stock broker.
Hin" said the professor, in mys-
teriOus tone, and rubbed his chin.
The stove was a plain, small cook
ing range. rather old and rusty. The
strange thing about it was its position.
Its abbreviated legs stood upon large
cedar posts, which were planted in the
door and were over four feet in height.
This brought the stove away up in
mId-air so that the top was about on
level with the face of the colonel, and
he was SiX-footer.
We formed in a circle about the
stove stared at it as solemnly as a
group of priests around a sacrificial
tripod. We felt of the posts-they
We're firm and solid, showing that the
mysterious arrangement was a perma-
aent' not temporary one. Then we all
cent our necks and opened our mouths
10 look up at the hole in the roof
through which the stove-pipe vanished.
suddenly the stockbroker burst out
into a laurh
oh' understand it now" said he.
Understand what?" asked the col
onel, sharply.
why Long Tom has hiss stove
hoSted up so high from the floor"
10 do L. said the doctor: "but
suspect that my explanation is not the
same that any one else would offer"
Wen, | will bet that l am right"
S"id the stock-broker, land put up the
Money"
/ am in this" said the judge; Il
lave a clear idea about that stove and
vii back it."
/ want to take a hand" said the
colonel.
Ihe Stock-broker drew small vel
~" coin out of his pocket and dropped
II on the table.
=. lie mas the stove up there" he said,
" get a better draught. In this
."1ened mountain air there is only a
s"ah amount of oxygen to the cubic
.Ncn' and combustion is more difficult
secure than in the lower ATTITUDES
nave heard that if you get high
e1ouSh up you can't cook an egg-that
~ mean, water won't boil-or some
a1.us Ike that" he continued, thrown
NV sudden confusion by the discovery
SI MAJ Tie professors eye was fixed upon
~ with sarcastic gaze.
IS that supposed to be science?' de.
~aAded the professor.
Well" said the stock broker, dog.
ssdiE' never mind the reasons. Elk.
fTtlehce is probably good enough fol
lug Tom. He finds that he gets q
= .e''er draught for his stove by having
up IN mid-air, so he has it there
Inc right explanation" began the
tt = lis the simplest. My ides
that"
excuse me-" interrupted the stock
ssoker, tapping the table; "are you ir