The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-01-31
An Effective
Dose
BY ELSIE MATTEsoN

OF AOuUOu pdEtS VI Which, IL may OS
dangerous for one to, go about without
protection, but the ~ of Naples is all
bad.
Edward Pierce, a young American
who had graduated in medicine, during
his term Of hospital service caught a
disease which left his health impaired.
He went abroad to re-establish it and
found the italian climate beneficial, but
whenever he left it he sank again into
an abnormal condition. He determined
therefore to remain there permanently
and practice his profession. Finding an
opening in Naples, he chose it for his
field Of labor. He acquired the Italian
language readily. r..
The duties of a physician called him
out ut all times of day and night. DR..
Pierce knew Of the dangers from the
lower classes, or, rather, the criminal
classes. but he also knew that he was
taking his life in his hands whenever
he entered the room of a patient suf-
fering from a contagious disease and
felt that the physician, like the soldier
or the clergyman, must not hesitate
to go where he can be of service no
matter how great the risk. Friends ad-
vised him to go armed when he en-
tered some of the most degraded parts
of the city, especially at night. But he
said that if an Italian was bent on
killing him no time would be given him
to defend himself. He preferred to
take his chances unarmed, for he was
obliged to carry the paraphernalia of
his profession and disliked adding a
revolver. which he might lug about
with him for years without the neces-
sity for using it.
One night DR.. Pierce was called up
by telephone to go to the house Of n
who was a stranger to him. He order
ed his vehicle. took up a large case of
instruments and another of medicines
and sailed forth. His destination was
on the heights back of that part OF
the city that lies on the bay, and after
following winding streets he stopped
at the home to which he had been call
ed. 1t was a fairly good stone villa,
not among other houses, the nearest
being several hundred yards distant.
Pierce was admitted by a man who
rs Don as he had entered shut the
door behind him and told the doctor
to follow him. He did so, but realized
Immediately that he had been called
to the house for some evil purpose.
He was taken into a chamber where
a young girl was in a frightful state
Of nervous agitation. She was evident
ly of a much higher class than the
man who admitted the doctor and an
other man whom he found with the
girl.
"Give her something to put her to
sleep and stop her internal bowling"
said one of the men.
1t was all plain now. The young
lady was held a prisoner, possibly for
ransom, and, being in Mysteries, the
men dared not permit her to continue
in that state and had called a doctor.
But, having felt obliged to call him.
would they let him go out to inform
the police Of what they were doing?
Pierce knew they would not. Some
thing must be done to effect his exit
and If possible to release the girl. He
gave her something to quiet her and
while doing 81 formed a plan.
The doctor did not regret not being
armed, for there were two men to op-
pose who were doubtless far more
adept at handling ordinary weapons.
But he had another idea. He fumbled
in his medicine bag and looked over
his medicines, finally selecting a bottle
containing a powerful acid. Taking
another containing having much
the same effect as red pepper, he made
q dose Of the two. Then from his case
Of instruments he drew forth a silver
syringe and loaded It with the dose
he had concocted.
What are you going to dot" asked
one Of the men.
Inject morphine" replied the doc
tor. ut will put her to sleep, and she
will give you NJ further trouble. One
Of you get over on the other side Of
the bed and the other stand at the foot,
to be ready to hold her IL she strug-
gles."
They did az he directed, and the doc
tor. having the syringe in his hands,
quick as a flash squirted the 6efy dose
first into the eyes Of the man opposite.
then into the eyes Of the n at the
foot Of the bed. Both gave q yell, and
both put their hands to their eyes. But
this was Of no advantage to, them or
the doctor, for It was not likely that