The daily Alaskan., 1912-11-11
A Scientific
 Experiment
By WILLARD BRAKEMAN

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 When the Franco PruSsian war broke out Edward Penton, young American medical student who. on account Of youth. had escaped being either killed bv ammunition or disease in the great struggle that had ended five years be- fore in his own country, went to Ger, many and through the influence Of the American minister was accepted as assistant surgeon with rank Of lieuten, ant
 After the battle of Gravelotte, when all the medical stafI was most needed, word was brought to pr. Snedicker, medical director of the Prussian army, that the American had deliberately in- suited a medical officer Of his own rank and that a duel was to be fought between the two
 This Is very wrong" exclaimed the doctor with a scOwL "These two young men may both be disabled, and we have not now enough physicians to take care Of the wounded"
 And yet, doctor, the challenge hay ing passed, there is no way out of it Both would have Co leave the army if they did not fight"
 "They don't fight duels in America ' said pr. Snedlcker. "Send this Ameri- can to me"
 Penton reported, and the doctor en- deavored Co persuade him to apologize.
 oTU tell you what I1l do, doctor Penton replied. "I'll agree to fire an imaginary shot at him, and if he is not killed at the first fire | win apologize to him"
 "What do you mean by thatT'
 Permit the duel on the following terms: Make two tablets, both harm less. Announce tbnt one contains a deadly poison The principals each choose a tablet Convince my oppo nent Lieutenant Rerkhalter, that he has chosen the poisoned one"
 "If that win satisfy you, proceed"
 As soon as the wounded were at least temporarily provided for Dr Suedicker called a number of medl cal officers into his tent and, last or an. the participants Of the duel He showed them two pellets exactly alike fin appearance. announcing that one was harmless while the other contain cd prussic acid. The one containing the poison would have the taste Of the kernel of peach stones And now, gentlemen" concluded the doctor choose. It Is better for this army Co have one live surgeon than two dis abled ones"
 Berkhalter br9vely stepped up to his superior. put his hand Into a glass tumbler and took out one of two tab lets. Penton took the remaining one Then at a word from the commander each put his tablet in his mouth An officer handed each a glass ot water which he was required to drink In or der to make sure that he had swal lowed his dose
 Berkhaltcr turned pale. He had rec ognlzcd the taste or prussic acid given him by his superior One of the ofi. ccrs stepped mp to the doomed man and said.
 "It you have anything to say, say it quick. The poison acts at once"
 "I have only to say that propose to die as an officer of the Prussian army should" replied the plucky doctor.
 Al the same time he felt his legs giving way under him. and he sank into the arms of his second, who car ried him to an army cot and laid him upon it pcnton went to him and of- fered him his hand
 CT envy you." he said. your onpor- ! tunity Co show your bravery. I would not have you die without withdrawing the offensive words [ spoke Co you" But Berkhalter had passed into un. ! consciousness.
 "Are you saHsfedT asked pr Shed tcker to Peuton.
 "Wait a moment His imagination cannot act while he is unconscious. He will revive presently"
 Snedicker was disposed to put an end Co the matter before it should be ! too late. but a German is nothing if not an investigator, and he was con- tent to grant the request on the ground l Of science.
 Presently Berkhalter opened his eyes; but seeing a group Of officers stand | ing over him, watching him die, be | closed them again. ! One of the medical men present went to the cot and placed his hand on l Berkhalter's heart. then looked anxious | ly at the American,
 "A few minutes" he said, will place | him beyond the pale of revival"
 Penton whipped a vial from his peck ct and, removing the stopper, held it under his antagonists nose. Berkhal. ter again opened his eyes.
 'eTeu him." said Penton and immedi- ately left the tent | HD,rforu % said Snn1lrkpr. "voU have