The Worthington advance., 1900-01-12

|
succeed In emptying the one and fill.
ing the other globe on these condi-
tions the money is yours. But it must
be understood that you win nothing
unless you move the whole one million.
You may choose your own time for
starting. In case of any question aris-
ing or any dispute the referees deci-
sion shall bind us both. Whatever
changes you wish to make in tue room
will be acceptable to me-
"After consulting us for some time
my friend agreed to the conditions
named and set the following Monday
morning at ten o'clock as, the time
of his start. Schmidt had a hard task
before him, and almost felt that the
100000 was not very likely to change
hands.
"We hal figured out the task set
to each aspirant for the wealth. First,
he had to move 100 dimes per minute,
5000 dimes per hour, 142, 800 dimes per
working day of % hours and 4S min
utes, 999,6O0 dimes per week. The task
would be completed in one week and
four minutes. Second, from globe to
globe it was 45% feet. The walk works
out, as nearly as need be, 80 yards pc.
minute, one mile per hour, "a miles
per day, 1853 miles per week. Third,
he had to carry about three tons Of
bullion in 10000 installments in one
week.
1.-THE eventful day arrived and lit
tie before ten we were all assembled
in the gymnasium. Schmidt was
dressed in fannels and Wore light and
easy-fitting slippers. Promptly at ten
o'clock Prudden, after wishing
Schmidt success, handed the referee
the key which released the spring and
set the machinery in motion, and the
silver began to flow.
''For five days and nights Schmidt's
very exceptional athletic ability and
his splendid condition enabled him to
stand the strain without it having very
much apparent effect upon him. On
the sixth day we noticed that the
deadly, dreary monotony was fast tell
ing it's tale. He spoke but rarely,
but on one occasion burst out with:
"'This is an invention of the evil one
himself, but if live I will defeat him.
Do anything to keep me awake
'Twelve hours to go and the last act
of the drama was commenced. He
struggled on, but was dragging badly
as he walked from globe to globe. His
pace had degenerated into a crawl of
less than two miles per hour, and again
and again he hung up the pail just in
the nick of time. He was slowly falling
asleep us he walked, and if there was
not soon change all would be over.
'Prudden was profoundly satisfied
that the feat would not be accomplished
and huge grin irradiated his face from
ear to ear.
MILLER shouted at him: Get on,
Schmidt! Prudden's grinning all over
at you! He thinks you're done for!
Look at him.
'"The change was electrical. What the
coffee and tea had failed to do the mere
idea of being ridiculed accomplished:
He pulled himself together and helped
himself to some grapes, and, as he went
along, renewed his strength.
'The time dragged slowly on. When
but six hours to go he asked for the
temperature to be reduced and said to
me: I'm afraid, old chap, I'm soon up.
[ feel it coming on, but keep me at it if
you can. One of my eyes is already
closed and I cannot open it. If the
other closes it'll be for good, as have
no muscular power left to open them.
My legs are all right, but cannot keep
my eyelids from closing Schmidt kept
bravely on. Two hours to 80. Then
only one.
Fifty-five to go, Schmidt!' shouted
Miller; "a to go, Schmidt!'
''But Schmidt was going wrong
again. We dosed him with tea and cof-
fee and brandy. We body
except William-mad with excitement.
He hadn't enough energy left to have
any feeling whatever. Forty-five min
untes only, and 100000 at stake.
For heavens sake, end it now
cried Miller, 'and cry quits at half the
money
:'Not now,' cried Prudden, all or
nothing!'
" Forty to go! Only 40 to go!' But
Schmidt laughed mirthlessly.
'Ha! ha! I'm going crazy and Prud-
den will keep his money. What beauti-
full silver serpents are crawling about
What pretty present one of them
would make for my sweetheart
"'Never mind them!' I shouted; !;
they'll all be yours in half an hour!
Keep awake, man, keep awake!' and
mechanically few more journeys were
covered. But total collapse seemed
imminent.
'"Thirty to go and he wanted to water
his palms with silver from his pail, and
was dissuaded in the very nick of time
The tension was becoming unbearab BILE
Poor Schmidt's mind was unhinged fol-
the time, he babbled nursery rhymes
and sang snatches of songs, and yet
as if actuated by Providence, with
many halt and a stumble he still strug.
gled on.
"Twelve to go, both eyes closed and
he reeled with sleep. We dosed him with
brandy; we shouted and implored him
to keep at it with his eyes shut.
1.-The end was very near, and, believe
me, like blind man he felt his way
across the lineoleum track and back II
weary times and put up his pail for the
last load. Pulling himself together fol-
a final effort, he walked straight across
the pathway, emptied it, returned
hung the pail up on the spigot of the
now empty globe, and the game was
played out and the prize won.
"Cheer after cheer was given by u.s.
but they fell on deaf ears. Prudden had
ro,o o& ~ n rlool f,:,< ,,,1,., L. 49,,