Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-03-19

footsteps and sharp cries and exclama-
tons.
What was that?" DR.. Barwood in
quill led, appearing upon the steps OF the
drugstore.
A bent, Timber jointed figure emerged
from the shadow of the wall; and
Temp Nuts suffering voice ansWey-
ed:
"G-Guess 1t was OIL Gabri'l sound
in the final trump. M-Must ave
b-b-b busted his h-horn."
"Nonsense!" the doctor snorted an
grily.
'T-Then the b-boat's b-bu-sted 'er
b-b-b'ilers
1T was the cannon they were using
to fire parting salute" Ralph ex-
planned, stepping forward. "They have
overcharged it; and it has exploded,
probably"
"And somebody's hurt or killed" the
physician completed fault-fndingly. "Of
course it must be so right at time |
am really unable to perform a difficult
surgical operation. Why won't people
exercise common sense? Hark!"
The three men listened intently. They
heard the faint puffs of the retreating
steamer and the soft patter of ap-
preaching footsteps.
81 hear some one running" Marlowe
declared.
"An' p-pantin like Lizard on a
h-hot f-f-fence r-rail," Mutt added
The hurrying footsteps drew nearer.
The trio upon the steps strained their
eyes in an effort to pierce the gloom.
Presently out of the fog emerged a
mans numbering figure. He was NOV
ing as fast as his ungainly legs could
carry him, his long arms swinging like
pendulums and his head thrust for
ward. His heavy breathing could be
distinctly heard A moment more, and
he stood beside them-his chest heav-
ing, his eyes protruding.
who's hurt or killed, Jep Tucker?"
DR.. Barwood demanded angrily. "Out
with it. Somebody's had to pay the fid-
dler for your internal nonsense Who's
hurt?"
Tucker tried to speak; but only a
husky rattle came from his parched
throat. He gasped and rolled his eyes,
and appeared to be on the verge Of col
lapse.
"You dumb fool" the doctor cried
roughly. you're not hurt. Speak out.
Some one may die while you are stand
ing here chewing your tongue"
"H-Hes p-pale as a r-rabbit's b-bel-
ly,' Temp remarked. "M-Maybe he Is
h-hurt."
mo, I amt" Jep systematically jerk
ed out. "But Jim Crawford Is. The
cannon busted; an he was drunk an
wouldn't git out O. the way wen we
touched 'er off. He's-he's got his arm
tore off nearly; an his heads all cut
up. An he's bleedin' like stuck pig
1t made me sick to see him. Fer Gods
sake, doc, come as quick as you cant"
"It's pity it didn't kill the sot-and
the rest Of you fools, too" DR.. Barwood
snarled savagely. where did you take
him-home?"
yes, doc. But do hurry"
"I'll be in more haste to serve him.
than he'll be in to remunerate me" the
doctor muttered, turning and walking
into the drugstore.
Tucker and Nutt-two picturesque
old ruins-took themselves down the
dark street. Ralph followed his en-
ployer through the door.
Help me to gather up what need,
Ralph" the physician requested mild
ly. II want you to go down with me
and lend me what aid you can. am
not fit to undertake an operation to-
night You will have to administer the
anaesthetic for me. at least"
perhaps you would better go down
to the house at once, Doctor" Marlowe
suggested. Il will bring the instru-
ments and other things. Crawford's
wounds were bleeding freely-so Tuck
er said. May not the hemorrhage
prove dangerous?"
NO" the physician snapped, thrust
ing a bottle Of chloroform into his
pocket. "Lacerated wounds-such as
an explosion makes-do not bleed dan
gerously, as rule"
But flying missiles with cutting
edges make incised wounds sometimes;
and they bleed severely" Ralph replied
as he set jar Of aseptic gauze upon
the counter.
Yes" the doctor said with lifted
brows and wlde-open eyes, looking his
clerk full in the face.
Then briskly: II will go at once.
You know what | will be likely to need
and where Crawford lives?"
81 do" was the quiet reply.
without another word, DR.. Barwood
crushed his hat over his eyes and hur-
ried forth. AS he went down the black
street, he knowingly nodded his head
and talked to himself.
Marlowe quickly collected the neces-
sary articles; made them into pack
age land FIVE minutes after his employ
er's departure. passed out, locking the
door behind him.
Jim Crawford's humble abode was
on a cross street, near the vacant lot
back Of the livery stable, where he had
been injured. The house was a story
and a half frame with sagging roof
small windows, and a gray weather
boarding. His diminutive shop stood
on one corner Of the lot.
AS Marlowe reached the obscure
place, he saw a number Of men stand
ing around the doorway, converslng In
low, awe-struck tones. Pushing hil
way through the crowd, he knocked
upon the door. II was opened from
within; and he entered.
, Ito be continually
, A nlacard reading "Will MT raturn