The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1910-10-13
How My Head
Was Saved
By WkLLAcE PUTNAM Red


hair and furrowed brow appear to
tell a different story. But it is the
simple truth, and I can explain the
seeming mystery in a few words.
About eight years ago | was a young
physician. lust starting in the prac-
tice. My Office was in B., a small
village in the southwestern part Of
this state. I usually slept in my Of
fee, it being both convenient and eco.
nomical to do so.
One night in January, l think. |
was sitting before my fire, bordering
over my future prospects. The hour
was very late. and the weather was
SO cold that ] did not expect any call
or visit.
Suddenly ! felt that some one had
entered the room. l had heard no
noise, but an indefnable something
warned me that q visitor was present.
With a quick wheel of my chair, I
faced the door. Within Ave feet OF me
stood my visitor. He was a tall, we'll
proportioned, and strikingly handsome
man. | had barely time to remark
this, and to note the fact that he was
well dressed, when the stranger spoke.
"A physician, | believer
He said this hesitatingly, and with
an air of respectful Difference.
THAT is my profession" l replied.
'Will you take a chair, sir?"
The stranger took the proffered seat,
and proceeded to engage me in a
general conversation.
Half an hour passed, and still the
object of the visit had not been stated.
At last limited at it in pretty plain
terms.
"Oh, yes" said the stranger. Il
came near forgetting my purpose in
calling. The fact is. l have made q
discovery which is destined to work
a revolution in surgical science"
yawned at this. What does a man
are for surgical science at midnight,
when his fire is going out?
4 will tell you about it," continued
my visitor. Il have discovered a sim
pie process by which a mans head
may be cut off and then replaced, with
out injury to the person operated
upon. What do you think of that?"
1 gave the la a keen glance. He
met my gaze without hinching.
81 decline to think about it at ALL
[ replied "at least, not tonight. You
may drop in tomorrow"
The stranger leaped from his chair
and stood before me. | noticed Their
that he was very much my superior in
physical strength.
What could | do?
My Office was on the first foor of
an isolated building. No one slept on
my floor except Bob Henry. and he
vas out. probably for the night. If
The man murdered me, nobody would
lear my cries for help. The situation
began to grow interesting.
What do you mean?" | asked in as
calm a tone as | could assume.
q mean this" was the reply. Il
mean to try my experiment on you to-
I viii pledge my honor to v
head from your body and replace
It within 20 minutes. without caus-
ing the slightest injury"
The mar was a maniac. OF this
was certain. But how was ] to man.
age him?
l was just about to spring from my
seat, when the mailman drew a large
glittering knife, and 1ourished it
my eyes.
STEADY, nowi" said he. Keep quiet.
I'D boy, and don't move, or III have
hack your face more than is neces-
This significant warning capped the
| felt all my strength leav-
ng me, and as l gazed into the burn
ng eyes looking so earnestly into
nine, l felt that no earthly power
save me.
He placed n hand upon my head,
nd l thought my last hour had ar
lived.
Just her the use of my faculties
eturned to me- My first desire was
0 gain time.
"One moment l cried. "TeI me
you could perform this operation
n two persons, and exchange their
eads? ~
~Hellol" shouted the madman.
That's a brilliant idea. Wouldn't it
e rich? A with BIS head, and B with
IS head.
The fellow seemed tickled with my
uggestion, and talked about It at
ten minutes. But he resumed
ne murderous knife again, and pre-
AIRED to carry out his purpose.
Suddenly my eyes flashed delight.
nd | struggled in my chair. Iheard
he familiar footsteps OF Bob Henry
scending the stairs.
Rescued at last
What's the matter?" queried the
laniac.
The steps were heard rapidly ap-
reaching my door.
"Spies,' shouted my visitor, throw
g down his knife. Il must not be
zen here. Au revoir."
There was a deafening crash of
ass and wood, and Bot Henry en-
red the 10 just in time to see the
adman disappearing through the
window.