The Washburn leader., 1914-11-06

quickly as snow, ana IN MS own m1n0
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 queried.
ell 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 l put in cost $1.50. and it's bound
to work."
"Then why don't it work? And If
it cost S1.5O for two pailfuls. how are
you going to remove snow for cent
a ton? l 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 will
make a failure of this thing. But
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. Bowsel
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 worl
or bust!' shouted Mr.. Bowser as
wave of anger surged over him
"Stand back there and gimme more
room!
He seized the barrel with strong
grip and upended it over the chunk o1
ice and then gave it kick that sem
1t flying across the yard. Mrs. Bow
ser and the cook had retreated to {
safe distance, but the cat had advanc
ed to satisfy her feline curiosity. Al
the barrel went rolling the cat scream
ed out and began jumping up ant
down, but in half a minute changed
from jumping to wild career abou
the yard.
"You ought to be ashamed to kick :
cat! exclaimed Mrs. Bowser as th'
cavorting went ON.
II never kicked her" he replied
"What in thunder can ail her? Gimme
a club till l drive her over the fence"
He was looking about for weapol
when he gave a sudden start. Thel
he uttered an exclamation and triet
to lift both feet of the ground a
once. Then he kicked OF his shoe!
and seemed to start in pursuit of th'
cat, and he had circled the yard twic'
before Mrs. Bowser 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 int
the pail.
"Now, then, will you explain this cir
cus?' asked Mrs. Bowser as look o.
relief came to his face.
1.-The acid got to my feet" he replied
.There was gallon of acid, you know
The cat must have stepped into pud
die Of it.
Mrs. Bowser got out the bottle u
sweet oil and some rags. and the bills
tered feet were made comfortable. ant
their sole owner and proprietor hob
bled upstairs and stretched himsel
out on the lounge. Mrs. Bowser hadn'
called him -lunatic or an idiot. bu
he felt that he had lost prestige ant
must regain it, She was still cud
ding him when he sat up and pointed
a finger at her and hoarsely whis
pered:
"W0man. | understand all!'
"All about melting snow?" she limo
Gently asked.
"All about why my experiment wal
a failure. Don't seek to hide you
guilt by looking ut me in that bold
faced way While was gone to tn
drug store you sneaked down and pu
salt or ashes or vinegar or something
| into that barrel" -a 3D..
"How foolish of you!"
THAT will do! Denials are useless
| You can 60 home to your mother b!
/ the 1920 train tomorrow. and my law
yer will notify you Of the legal step
take. Woman. avaunt and leav'
your victim to die in peace!
And. having squared himself and &C
counted for the failure of his expert
ment, Mr.. Bowser drew up his leg
and fell into a peaceful slumber.
( A Matter Of Regret.
Husband tat breakfast table)-Oh