Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-05-20
AFTER A
TRANSMISSION
OF BLOOD
BY DONALD CHAMBERLIN


ment of the blood. He was fine
swimmer, skater. boxer. fencer, a
champion in tennis and one Of the
best ball twirlers In the country. But
when sickness overcame him he lost
his strength and even his life was in
danger.
Drs. Hammersly and Phipps. his
physicians, consulted on his case and
came to the conclusion that they had
better resort 10 TRANSMISSION of blood.
1t was not easy to find one who was
willing to give up sufficient blood to
ill Jack Runlet's veins. for they were
OF no ordinary capacity. but several
persons volunteered to give each por-
ton, and in this way the whole was
obtained. Runlet was favorite
among women. and two of his sweet
hearts responded to- the call, though
neither knew of the offer of the other.
Two men. Jacks most intimate friends.
offered to give their quantum Of blood,
and after the four transfusions were
effected the patient had in him the
blood drawn from two women and two
men.
Maud Scarborough and Della Thorne
were the women and Ned Summerfield
and George Smith the men. The OPP
orators would have preferred that the
blood should be transfused in a mixed
state. This was because they expect
ed the patient would be affected by the
peculiarities of the persons from whom
1t came. and it would be better that
these traits should in measure neu-
trallze one another. But the operations
must be performed separately.
Runlet became well again. thanks to
these devoted friends. but not himself.
There was very little Of his own blood
left In him-indeed, he was four other
persons In turn. When the blood Of
one of the women was sent out from
his heart he was much like that wo-
man, and since only half Of him was
man he was manly but half Of the
time
When he regained his health and
strength the baseball season was open
ing. and he resumed his position as
pitcher, but he was found to be unre-
liable. At times he had his usual
strength, while at others he seemed to
have lost 1t. both of will and muscle.
He concealed his weakness as well as
he could, but 1t was unfortunate that
he did so. 1t would have been better
for him to retire. When match game
hatn0 r,Iauad
a frightened mouse ran across the dia-
mond. Doubtless the blood Of one of
the women with which his arteries
were filled was at the moment being
sent through his system. for he became
paralyzed with fear. Running to the
plank seats and could not be induced
to come down.
But few of those present knew the
cause of Runlet's cowardice. though
none could understand why man
should be afraid of mouse. At any
rate, the game was broken up for Run
let, covered by shame, left the field.
The next day he went to his doctors to
learn what was the matter with him.
They looked at each other knowingly.
but thought it best that he should not
be enlightened. So to get rid OF him
they told him he needed rest.
The next time a game of Importance
came off Runlet took his place among
the spectators instead of in the box.
He had doubtless been under the influ-
ence OF the blood he had received from
one of his women contributors, for he
had nearly all that day been acting eff
feminately. He had been very partic-
ular about his clothes, putting on
particolored scarf with diamond
stickpin in 1t. and had purloined all his
sisters rings. which he put on his fin
gers. He went to the baseball match
with lady's fan In his hand and while
waiting for the game to begin alter
nately famed himself and shifted at
bunch of violets pinned to his shirt
bosom.
Not a man of his old chums would
speak to him. They remembered his
desertion of his post at former game.
and now to see him sitting bedizened
with jewelry. swinging fan and
snuffing at flowers excited their full
contempt. AS for the women specta-
tors. they were very much amused at
his actions.
Runlet's club had not found pitcher
to take his place. 1t lost steadily.
and by the end of the fifth inning all
hope of winning the game left them.
1t is disputed point what caused
sudden throwing off Of Runlet's eff
feminacy. The doctors who transfus-
ed the blood into him contend that
quantum of woman's blood, which had
been thrown through the heart. sud
denly gave place to that OF a man
Be this as it may. Jack Runlet, be
dizened as he was. vaulted the rail
that separated him from the field,
jumped down into the diamond and
demanded the ball. A shout arose,
with cries Of Try him again. Give
n L. lilo