The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-04-24
AFTER A
TRANSMISSION
OF BLOOD
BY DONALD cHAMBERLlN

BY DONALD CHAMBERLlN
John Runlet was u fine, sturdy fel-
low until he fell i'll with imp0verish-
ment Of the blood. He was a fine
swimmer, skater, boxer, fencer, a
champion in. tennis and n 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 to TRANSMISSION Of blood.
It was not easy to find one who was
willing to give up sufficient blood to
oil Jack Runlet's veins, for they were
of no ordinary capacity, but several
persons volunteered to. give each q 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 yer
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 'Summerield
and George Smith the men The op-
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
it came, and it would be better that
these traits should in a measure neu-
tralize one another. But the operations
must be performed separately.
Runlct became we'll 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 a match game
of great importance was being played
q frightened mouse ran across the dia-
mond. Doubtless the blood Of n Of
the women with which his arteries
were filed was at the moment being
sent through his system, for he became
paralyzed with fear. Running to the
grand stand, he stood upon n of 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 a man
be afraid of q mouse. At any
rate, the game was broken up. for Run
let, covered by shame. left the field.
The next day lie 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.
He had been very partic-
MAR about his clothess putting on a
p~articolored scarf with a. diamond
stickpin in it. and had purloined all his
rings, which he put on his 1in-
gers. He went to the baseball match
lady's fan in his hand and while
waiting for the game to begin alter
nateIy famed himself and shifted at a
bunch of violets pinned to his shirt
bosom.
Not a mar of his old chums would
speak to him. They remembered his
desertion of. his post at a former game.
aud now to see him sitting bedizened
with jewelry, swinging a fan and
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 a pitcher
to take his place. 1t lost steadily,
and by the end Of the ffth inning all
hope Of winning the game left them.
It Is a disputed point what caused a
fheowin1 off of Rnnlof,s ef.