The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-10-03
A Scientific
Experiment
By WILLARD BRAKEMAN

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 duel was to be fought
| between the two.
'This is very wrong" exclaimed the
doctor with q 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 it.
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.
"Pll tell you what I'll do. DOCTOR"
Penton replied. "I'll agree to fire an
| emo ~ir, oh or nd h0 ic
killed at the first fire will apologize
| to him"
| "What do you mean by thatY'
"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"
eff that will satisfy you, proceed"
| AS soon as the wounded were at
least temporarily provided for Dr.
Snedicker 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 a glass
tumbler and took out one of two tab
let's. Penton took the remaining one.
Then at word from the commander
each put his tablet in his mouth. An
officer handed each glass Of water.
which he was required to drink In or
der to make sure that he had swal-
lowed his dose.
| Berkhalter turned pale. He had rec
ognized the taste of prussic acid given
him by his superior One of the Off
GERS stepped up to the doomed man
and said:
eff you have anything to say. say it
| quick. The poison acts at once"
81 have only to say that | propose to
die as an officer of the Prussian army
should" replied the plucky doctor
At 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
I upon it. Penton went to him and Of
fered him his hand.
81 envy you" be said, "your oppor-
tunity to show your bravery. would
not have you die without withdrawing
the offensive words | spoke to you.''
But Berkhalter had passed into un-
consciousness.
"Are you satisfed?" asked DR.. Sned.
ECKER to Penton
"Wait moment. His Imagination
cannot act while he is unconscious. He
will revive presently"
| Snedicker was disposed to put an
end to the matter before it should be
too late, but German is nothing If
not an investigator. and he was con-
tent to grant the request on the ground
Of science.
| Presently Berkhalter opened his eyes;
but, seeing group of officers stand
ing over him, watching him die, he
closed them again.
One of the medical men present went
to the cot and placed his hand on
Berkhalter's heart. then looked anxious
~ at the American
"a few minutes" he said. Twill place
him beyond the pale of revival"
| Penton whipped vial from his pock-
ct and removing the stopper. held it
under his antagonists nose Berkhal-
ter again opened his eyes
'Tell him." said Penton and immedi-
ately left the tent
Doctor" said Snedicker. ''you have
not swallowed poison The duel has
been turned into scientific demonstra-
ton. Neither tablet contained poison"
Where is the cursed Americana
cried Berkhalter standing erect. .T
shall kill himr'
Here is written apology"