The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-11-02

two in rotation. "Ah. ns,p ne "a,
1912"
Ezra shrunk within himself lie top
pied sideways. He nearly tainted,
Il can't gol won't GO" he chat
tered. "Oh, Ned help me out OF this
awful fix. don't care what II costs
I'll pny $4,000 for exemption. Can't
You brlbe the examining physlcIanT"
Dangerous! Treason! Hold on,
say are you game for the money? II
| can fix you up right and get you re-
iected, Is II thousand cash for me?'
1.-Two; threew cried Ezra eagerly,
only get 1t done"
1--WE got scheme" declared Ned,
his eyes swapping from the impulse of
a grand idea. "Tell your friends you're
called on business to the city for II
week I'll do the rest"
"The rest" began with Ezra and his
acolyte visiting the metropolis next
day. Neds scheme was simple, If In
famous. He had crony who was a
dentist, The latter, well brbed, Inn
parted to Ezra the information that
he could fix up his teeth so that no
recruiting board in the world would
accept him for service.
1t cost Ezra eight teeth and $500.
He would have to gum II along" for
the future, but what cared he, so that
the offensive smell of powder did not
assail his delicate .nervesl
His Jaws became swollen. He could
not enjoy his food, the lack of the
teeth made him look older, but Ezra
bore this martyrdom with patience.
With Ned he returned to Woodvllle
one morning to report to the examln-
ing board. As he entered the pres
ence of the chief examiner Ezra blurt-
ed out:
81 want to make claim for exemp-
ton. You see"
mo need" sharply snapped the Off
clal keenly glanclng over Ezra from
top to toe. you're the worst speci-
men of fiat feet ever saw. Exempt.
Next !"
Ezra Banyon could have danced for
joy. He pathetically eyed Ned as they
came outside, however. The latter
grianed. There was a spice of diabol-
ism in the grimace, for at heart N"'l
despised his craven employer.
"Ned," observed Ezra dismally, tive
need not have sacrificed those mo-
lars !"
Now that the mental suspense was
over, physical realization asserted IT.
self Those swollen gums became n
constant menace. Ezra sneaked back
to the city.
Infection" crisply reported the
dentist, as he examined Ezra's mouth.
81 fear you are going to have a time
of It,"
Which verify Ezra did For full
month he was lanced, poulticed, |
During the interim he had
Ned go about disseminating his SEN
tments. The country he loved had (
refused his valiant services! Eager /
to battle the nations foes, he was /
crushed at its ignOble decision! But |
at least he could do his bit. He sent
n check for $500 to the local Red
Cross society. He asked permission
to head the home guard. His time, his
means were at the disposal Of the land
Of the free and the home of the brave!
Ezra reached his home town after
lark. He wished it so, for he had
luarreled with Ned whom he had re-
fused a loan, and who had left him
limiting about knowing Il
good deal that would be great scandal
'ood for the gOssips. Ezra wondered
f Ned had betrayed him. He would
EEL his way and call upon Esther.
lie would flash upon her the star he
wore, emitting him to act in "asso-
lated secret service work" for the
government. He would display the
differing red white and blue pin he
yore, made up of rubies, diamonds and
;apphires. The local paper should
hronicle big subscription to the sol
liers' families fund with the morrow.
AS Ezra started from the depot for
Iome, a dozen uniformed men with
,rass instruments under their arms
Iashed by him in three automobiles.
"Who are those fellows" question
d Ezra of a bystander.
"Woodville Company A." came the
rompt response. "They're going down
0 the Brill home to serenade Clyde
Jorton and his bride, just married.
les Captain Norton, now."
Ezra Banyon returned to the depot.
lie sneaked back to the city, hiding in
he darkest corner of the smoker.
Wrathily he reckoned up the cost
f his exemption tactics. He could
OF grind his teeth, for most Of them
yere gone. He could not stamp his
eet in rage-they were too flat. He
ould only glare, and humble, and ,
brink within his unworthy self, at
aort and in Vprity-a "Sl0cker"