Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1912-09-30
A Scientific
Experiment
By WILLARD BLAKEMAN

When the Franco-Prussian war broke I
out Edward Penton. young American
medical student who, on account of {
youth. had escaped being either killed
by 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 staff was most needed.
word was brought to DR.. 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 hav-
ing passed, there is no way out OF 1t.
Both would have to leave the army If
they did not fight"
"They don't fight duels in America"
said DR.. Snedicker. Send this Ameri-
can to me-"
Penton reported, and the doctor en-
deavored to persuade him to apologize
6n
Penton replied. IN agree to fire an
imaginary shot at him, and if he is not
killed at the first fire l will apologize
to him"
"What do you mean by that|'
Permit the duel on the following
terms: Make two tablets, both harm
less. Announce that one contains
deadly poison. The principals each
choose a tablet Convince my oppo-
nent Lieutenant Berkhalter, that he
has chosen the poisoned one."
"If that will satisfy you, proceed"
AS soon as the wounded were at
least temporarily provided for DR..
Snedcker called number of medi'
cal officers into his tent and, last of
all, the participants of the duel. He
showed them two pellets exactly alike
in appearance. announcing that one
was harmless while the other contain
ed prussic acid. The one containing
the poison would have the taste of the
kernel of peach stones. And now,
gentlemen" concluded the doctor,
"choose. 1t is better for this army to
have one live surgeon than two dis
abled ones"
Berkhalter bravely stepped up to his
superior, put his hand into glass
tumbler and took out one of two tab
let's. Penton took the remaining one
Then at a word from the commando
each put his tablet in his mouth. Al
n officer handed each a glass Of water
which he was required to drink in or
p der to make sure that he had swal
lowed his dose.
o Berkhalter turned pale. He had rec
- ognized the taste of prussic acid give
, him by his superior One Of the off
GERS stepped up to the doomed ma
" and said
"If you have anything to say. say
quick. The poison acts at once"
81 have only to say that propose
die as an officer of the Prussian arm
should" replied the plucky doctor.
At the same time he felt his lef
giving way under him. and he san
. into the arms of his second, who ca
n ried him to an army cot and laid hi
IL upon it Penton went to him and O
fered him his hand.
I'D 81 envy you" he said. ''your oppo
II tunity to show your bravery. won
not have you die without withdrawn
the offensive words | spoke to you
But Berkhalter had passed into Il
consciousness.
\ "Are you satisfed? asked DR.. Sne
IA ECKER to Penton.
"a "Wait a moment His imaginati
"a cannot act while he is unconscious.
"a will revive presently"
Fl Snedicker was disposed to put
FL end to the matter before it should
I1 too late. but German is nothing
H not an Investigator. and he was c.
~ tent to grant the request on the grou
y Of science.
Presently BerkhaIter opened his ey
but, seeing group of officers sta
ing over him. watching him die.
closed them again.
-. One of the medical men present w
to the cot and placed his hand
Il Berkhalter's heart. then looked anxio
L ly at the American
Il "a few minutes" he said. will pl
!; him beyond the pale Of revival"
X Penton whipped vial from his pc
Il ct and, removing the stopper. hec
/: under his antagonists nose. Berkl
Il ter again opened his eyes.
: /: "Tell him." said Penton and imm
I; ately left the tent.
Z Doctor" said Snedicker. you b
e I; not swallowed poison. The duel
e !: been turned into a scientific demons
e I; ton. Neither tablet contained poist
e I: "Where is the cursed America
n Il cried Berkhalter. standing erect.
:. II shall kill him!'
IL q saTIoro ic N u,ritton oDOlOpV"