The river press., 1914-12-16

1NC. AClC was lIO cAtlOSloll VI SUI
den outburst of flame. Even the cat
tiptoed forward and smrlrd of the
chunk. OF course ice won't melt as
quickly as suow. and in his own mind
Mr.. Bowser gave that chunk three
minutes to vanish off the cold earth
The liquid hOneycombed it and threw
out lanyard odor. but there was no
melting.
"What seems to be the matter?"
Mrs. Bowser finally quered.
IL may not have put enough on"
replied Mr.. Bowser as he renewed the
sop with liberal hand. There can't
be any mistake in the mixing, and the
thing is bound to work. Can't you
keep that blamed cat away?"
The cat was chased away, and there
was another painful period of waiting
The ice could be heard cracking. and
it freckled up like schoolma'am in
summer. but there was no melting.
"Perhaps the discovery only alluded
to very soft snow," suggested Mrs.
Bowser.
"Soft snow be hanged!' he shouted.
II tell you this thing is all right. The
stuff put in cost $1.50. and it's bound
to work"
"Then why don't it work? And If
it cost $1.5O for two pailfuls. how are
you going to remove snow for Il cent
ton? hope you have got a good
thing. but it strikes me-
"Oh. yes; you are always being
struck" he interrupted. And this
very minute you are hoping l will
make failure of this thing. But l
won't, though. Perhaps it needs more
stirring"
He seized the stick and stirred and
swirled and poked and again the
chunk Of ice was doped. The smell
was ranker, but that was the only re-
suit.
perhaps the dying sailor left the
wrong manuscript" said Mrs. Bowser
quietly, by way of breaking the pain
full silence.
"Why don't he take teakettle Of
hot water to melt it?" queried the
cook.
"By the living lingo, but she'll work
or bust!' shouted Mr.. Bcwser as a
wave Of anger surged over him.
"Stand back there and gimme more
room!'
He seized the barrel with a strong
grip and upended it over the chunk of
ice and then gave it kick that sent
it flying across the yard. Mrs. Bow
md tI,o ho1 rotr otnJ To
safe distance, but the cat had advanc-
ed to satisfy her feline curiosity. AS
the barrel went rolling the cat scream
ed out and began jumping up and
down, but in half minute changed
from jumping to wild career about
the yard.
"You ought to be ashamed to kick a
cat" exclaimed Mrs. Bowser as the
cavorting went on.
II never kicked herv he replied.
what in thunder can all her? Gimme
club till drive her over the fence!"
He was looking about for weapon
when he gave a sudden start. Then
he uttered an exclamation and tried
to lift both feet off the ground at
once. Then he kicked off his shoes
and seemed to start in pursuit of the
cat, and he had circled the yard twice
before Mrs Rowser and the cook grab
bed him.
"Water-a pail of water-my feet!'
he howled. and as soon as the water
was drawn he plunged his feet into
the pail.
"Now, then, will you explain this cir.
cus:" asked Mrs. Bowser as a look of
relief came to his face.
''The acid got to my feet" he replied.
"There was a gallon Of acid, you know.
The cat must have stepped into pud-
die of it,
Mrs. Bowser got out the bottle of
sweet oil and some rags, and the blis-
tered feet We're made comfortable, and
their sole owner and proprietor hob
bled upstairs and stretched himself
out on the lounge. Mrs. Bowser hadn't
called him Il lunatic or an idiot. but
he felt that he had lost prestige and
must regain it. She was still cud-
ding him when he sat up and pointed
finger at her and hoarsely whis-
pered:
"Woman, understand all!'
"All about melting snow?" she inno-
Gently asked
"All about why my experiment was
a failure. Don't seek to hide your
guilt by looking at me. in that bold
faced way. While was gone to the
drug store you sneaked down and put
salt or ashes or vinegar or something
into that barrel"
"How foolish of you!'
THAT will do! Denials are useless.
You can go home to your mother by
the 1920 train tomorrow. and my law
yer will notify you of the legal steps
l take. Woman. avaunt and leave
your victim to die in peace"'
And, having squared himself and ac-
counted for the failure of his expert
ment, Mr.. BOwser drew up his legs