The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1906-11-10

perfectly neutral It can't bfte-that's
Imagination
But it does.. cried Mrs. Gordon.
1T stings like acid It actually seems
to be eating my skin!''
Bite! I should say it did,
groWIed Mr.. Blodgett ''It's chewing
my hands off believe it's earbolic
acid. DOLL swear I do. No smell
but it's been deodorized. That's It
-carbolic acid"
"Carbolic fddlesticks!" sasid Haw-
kins.
Then puzzled expression came into
his eyes. He raised one Of his wet
hands and tasted it-and spat vio-
lently.
Say! Hold on. Wait a ninute!"
he cried.
Hawkins darted of upstairs. I
could hear him bounding along, two
steps at a time, until he reached the
top.
Silence ensued for a few seconds.
save for an exclamation here and
there, as enc or another Of the guests
discovered that his or her neck or ear
or arm was smarting.
Then the servants piled up from be-
low. They. too, were wet and fright
ened. They, too, had discovered that
the liquid emitted by the Hawkins
Chemico-sprinkler System bit into
the human epidermuis like fire.
"Phat is it? Plat is it," the cook
was drearily fntoning, when hurrying
footsteps turned my attention once
more to the stairs.
Hawkins was coming down at
gallop. In his arms he carried a keg.
which dribbled white powder over the
beautiful carpet.
Say" he shouted to me. s.That
ball didn't busti"
ct didn't?" l cried.
mo! There's no marble dust in
the stuff" said the inventor, landing
on the floor with final jump and
tearing into the parlor. tits pure,
diluted sulphuric acid!"
ssAcid!" shrieked dozen ladies.
.tYesv' groaned Hawkins, depositing
his key on the floor. But we'll get
the best Of it. William, bring up a
Wash-tub full OF water! Mary, go get
all the washrags in the house!
Quiek!"
The home1y household articles ar
rived within minute or two.
Now" continued Hawkins, dump
ing half the key into the tub. That's
baking soda. It'll neutralize the acid.
Here, everybody. Dip a rag in here
and wash off the acid.
'sOh, hang propriety and deeency
and eonventionality and all the rest
Of IT.. he vociferated as some of the
ladies, quite warrantably hung back.
Get at the acid before it gets at you!
Don't you-can't you understand?
It'll burn into your skin in a little
Vhilei Come on.''
There was no hesitation after that.
Men and women alike made frantical-
ly for the tub, dipped cloths in she
liquid, and layed industriously hands
and arms and cheeks that were al
ready sore and burning.
Picture the scene: A dozen women
in evening dress, a dozen men in
sWalloW-tails, clustered around a
washtub there in Hawkins par1or,
working for dear life with the soak
ing cloths.
Ludicrous, impossible, 1t was Just
the sort of thing that could happen
under Hawkins roof and nowhere else
barring perhaps retreat for the
insane.
Later the excitement subsidized. The
ladies, disheve1ed as to hair. carry-
ing costumes whose glory had depart
ed forever, retired TO the chambers
above for such further repairs as
might be possible. The men, too, I'M
der Williams guidance, went to draw
Upon Hawkins wardrobe for clothes
in which to return home.
The inventor, Mr.. B1odgett, and NV
self were left together in the drawing
room.
well, it's a good thing that was
diluted acid Instead Of strong, isn't
it, Griggs?" remarked Hawkins. Orig
ina1ly had intended using the strong
acid, you know, for the reason
..Aaaah!" cried Mr.. Blodgett. $50
that was more Of your imbeeile in
venting, was it? Fire ext1nguisher!
Bah! thought nobody but you could
have conceived the idea like that!
What under the sun did you let off
your Internal Continuance for?"
@On, I just did It to spite you,
papa" said Hawkins, with weary sar-
casm.
BY George, sir, believe you did,"
snapped the old gentleman. TITS like
you! Look at my coat, sir! Look
at
I was edging away when Mrs Hawk
ms entered. She was clad in somber
black now, and her cheeks famed scar
let with modification.
.Well!'' she exclaimed.
Well, my dear?" said Hawkins,
bracing himself.
pretty mess you've made OF our
house-Warming, haven't you? You and
your idiotic fire-extiugIisheris