Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-10-21
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Poisoning Mike.
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By Mary Roberts Rinehart. W.
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keeping up small supplies. no had
charge or the emergency hospital
which adjOined the storeroom.
For month accidents had been nu-
merous, and Macrum had asked for as
slstance. That said assistance took
the shape of Stltt, a young and ex-
ceedingly callow youth, was the oc-
caslon for remarkable freshing of
the former hospital stewards army
vocabulary.
Stitt was small fellow, with an air
Of meekness which by evening was
apology. He busted bandage-boxes and
shelves of bottles to u running accom-.
panlment of snarls and growls from
behind Macrum's newspaper, AMI made
up the emergency bed in a manner
which made that worthy declare that
he blushed for Stitt's mother.
Altogether it had been a nerve-rack-
ing day, and by evening Stitt had been
reduced to a state bordering on hys-
terra. Then the usual thing happened.
Over in the mill "hunkie" put thick
and not overclean finger between two
rapidly approaching objects, with the
natural result. The hunkie jumped
for a minute, holding the injured mem
Der frantically in the air, and spread
ing round him veritable atmosphere
of Slavic EXPLANATIONS. Then he made
a run for the hospital.
Macrum had been called into the
storeroom to meet some requisltions
but hearing the mans excited voice, he
stuck his head through the doorway.
What is it? Smashed finger, eh?
1t sounds like double amputation.
Here, you, stop that noise, and be glad
you've got finger left. I'm coming in
a minute. Stop that noise, do you hear
meW
But Mike Kasparovitch continued to
declare in vociferous but unintelliglble
sentences that he could not bear it. and
little Stitt stood helplessly pale and
solicitous.
Macrum's head disappeared for mo-
ment, to reappear even more feroclous-
ly scowling.
Gag him-put cotton in his mouth
anything, but stop that racket
Stitt, -heyzilaaSe1 sNsAsL-e ella l-@e La,
struction, obediently tore off wad of
cotton, to Macrum's complete disgust.
PUT down that cotton, Stitt, and
don't be an everlasting idiot. If you
have to do something, get three BIZ
Chord Of mercury tablets and some
water. I'll be there in a minute"
Stitt got out the bottle, and after
reading the label twice, as he had been
instructed, to be sure he had the right
thing, he unscrewed the top and shook
out three tablets. Then, getting glass
of water, he gave them to Mike, and
told him to swallow them with a
mouthful of water.
Mike took the pills with a grimace,
and drank the water obediently, while
Stitt got out bandages and dressings
sufficient for dozen bad accidents.
Macrum finished In the storeroom and
hurried into the hospital. He tied Oh
a rubber apron, and tearing off some
small pieces of absorbent cotton, put
them in white bowl.
"Sit down, Nike" he said, not I'M
kindly. "We'll have this fixed in a
hurry. Where's the bichlorld, Stitt?'
Hes had it, Mr.. Macrum. Three, /
think you said"
Had itv' Macrum's florid face
turned white. you don't mean you
gave him those things to swallow
what did you want me to dor?
Stitt's voice was Quavering with ap-
prehension. you said, Get"
mo matter what l said! Get doc
tor, quick! He'll be dead in minute.
Don't stand there looking! Run, you
fool, and bring a stomach.pump, toov
Stitt ran, hatless and coatless,
through the mill, through the long mill
yard, and up the street. 1t was dark
now, and he lost time in his excite
ment by mistaking Furnished room"
cards for doctors signs. At last he
found a medlca! man, who, stomach
pump in hand, followed him heading
down the street.
Back in the emergency hospital the
agonized Macrum was working over
the bewildered hunkie. Mike Kaspar-
ovitch knew no English, but he indcat-
ed by every means in his power that
he did not consider tumblers full of
lukewarm mustard water proper treat
ment for crushed finger. When the
doctor entered, Macrum looked up, red
and perspirlng.
II can't bring them, DOCTOR" he said,
hopelessly. He's had two quarts of
this mustard water up and down, but
no pills have come. I'm afraid it's all
over"
II Mike had protested against the
mustard water as a therapeutic age
for hurt finger, his objection had
been mild compared with tlfe revolt
against the stomach-pump.
He lay down ON the cot submisslyely
enough, but the attempt to introduce
the tube produced q cataclysm.
Hold him, you fellowsP' As the
doctor, chair and all, went over back.
ward with powerful thrust from
Mikes right arm, Macrum and Slit
threw themselves bodily on the
hunkle's brawny chest. They were
thrown off in an instant, and Stltt,
hopeless and unneryeo, began 10 cry
weakly.
1--WE killed man~ he groaned, sit
ting on the floor where lie had fallen.
doctor, I've killed a mani I'll have
the mark of Cain on me"
Hes not dead yet" said Macrum,
grimly, picking himself up from the
corner where he had been thrown.
"And IL you don't stop snlveling I'll put
a mark of Cain on you myself"
The doctor felt the injured mans
pulse.
ITS still strong enough" he said,