The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

It'll Get something and kill It," Natur-
ally the relief party was somewhat slow
to comprehend his meaning and was bent
upon investigation. Ray would have
none of it. Amid beseeching requests for
wideman to kill it, he disclosed a small
lump on his knee held between his
thumb and forehnger.
Now the night before there had been
some work done on that particular sec
ton of the street and the famous BEL
gian Blocks still were scattered in the
neighborhood. Although puzzled, Wide
man was anxious to relieve his COM
rade's evident suffering and he seized one
of the billets in his mighty right. II
hate to do this" he muttered. but he
sure Is anxious"
Takes Careful Aim
Whereupon, taking careful aim, he
turned loose upon the apparently unof-
Tending lump on Rays right knee that
appeared to give the latter so much pain.
Now Wideman could give points to a
sharpshooter on the proper method of fir
ing revolver but as q marksman with
cobblestone he certainly does not shine.
The block landed somewhere between
Rays belt and his collar, neither officer
being willing to name the exact location
but both agreeing with remarkable unan-
unity that the stone landed nowhere in
proximity to the spot intended. There was
a deep silence for an instant after the
solid thump that announced the missile
hade gone home, then an agonized wall
from the afflicted policeman. 1t speaks
very highly for Mr. Ray that nothing
stronger than Assistance left his lips,
Upon the failure of his well meant at
tempt Wideman circled around Ray with
the very best intentions in the world but
plainly at loss as to what course to pur-
sue. The latter, meanwhile had by no
means abandoned his Terpsichorean er-
forts. Wideman attempted to draw his
story from him and between gasps he I'M
burdened himself as follows:
Il was standing at the corner few
minutes ago." he began, land everything
was silent on my beat. rolled a cigar
cite. l lit it. At the instant that the
match fiared felt something move right
square between my shoulders. / was sur
prised. / shook myself. and left tho post
but the moving was not only undated,
but continued with accelerated vigor. An
other vigorous shake. No relief. 1 was
alarmed. Another shake. No results ex-
cept the enemy changed his base of op-
erations, falling back on my pistol pocket
for protection. l began to be frightened.
AS 1t manifested an unnatural desire to
reach the ground seized it firmly with
my right hand and decided 1t was high
time to call for reinforcements. 1 did. I
need"
This is serious" broke in wideman,
Why man 1t might be a tarantula from
bananas. Let me try another brick"
Ray received his suggestion without
enthusiasm although paling perceptibly
at the mention Of spider.
Rub up against the wall and squash
il, urged W1deman, who was beginning
to wilt under the nervous strain.
Il am afraid to turn it loose" cried
Ray.
Il might use my pistol" this from
Wideman.
Again Ray manifested lack of fervor.
Leave that as last resort" he begged
in feeble tone. He too was beginning
to melt slowly.
Moves Forward to Reconnoitre
Wideman moved cautiously forward to
reconnoitre. AS he neared Ray he placed
one of his "titanics'' carefully and pre-
cisely upon the latters pet Sunday corns'
1t was too much for nature TO stand
With a despairing yell Ray turned loose
the protuberance, and fell back against
the wall with both hands tenderly exam
ming his damaged member. AS he re-
leased his trousers a small object dropped
to the pavement and lay SUN.
After satisfying himself that his agri-
culture had suffered no permanent dam
ICE. his curiosity next turned to the OBJ
iect with the aid of his searchlight and
that of ais brother officer he proceeded
10 hold what proved to be post NOR
tenn examination.
II was mouse. Dead. Suffocated. Ar
tificial respiration was not resorted to.
1t was toe much. Even the best of III
yield to temptation occasionally. Wide
man sought the wall for support and
gave vent to a series of ear splitting
shrieks Gaughter)
Ray was ominously silent. He gathered
up his scattered belongings and prepared
to resume his patrol. Ere deps ting Ii
delivered the following warning
man:
IF anybody hears about this
be a vacancy on the police de
and some good supe will get
Job.
The entire incident took less