Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-11-27
Called the Bluff
ByF.A. MITCHELL

ulIy In8I dculeFeS seems 10 DC kuoOEu
In the race. The German race Is re-
markable for scientific development.
This story shows how an uneducated
German was willing to suffer impris-
onment to test the efficacy of scien-
tific device.
Herman Gotlieb was suspected OF
stealing corn from q neighbor's garden.
Whether he was really guilty the own
er of the garden did not know. but Got
lieb lived near his property and was
the only person who did live near 1t.
Besides he was very poor and found 1t
difficult to feed eight or nine children
with capacious stomachs. The depre-
dations on the garden continued and
the owner decided TO make an exam
pie of some one, so he pounced upon
Gotlieb, had him arrested under the
specific charge Of stealing a number OF
ears of corn before daylight on the
morning of the arrest. That the pris-
oner might not be unjustly detained.
the trial was set for ten o'clock the
day of the arrest.
After the preliminary questions had
been put the prosecuting attorney
made several attempts to trick the ac-
cused man into discriminating himself,
but without success. Finally the pros
ecutor undertook to catch him In q SCI
entific trap.
did you ever hear Of the X-rayf"
he asked Gotlieb.
"No, neffer heard about dot; what
iss dot?'
The prosecutor was taken fiat aback.
How to tell an ignorant man the ma
ture of the X-ray was a poser. The
Judge, seeing his discontinue, smiled.
'The X-ray is a very bright light
so bright that 1t enables one to look
inside of a man. The machine, or we
call it lamp, that emits the ray was
invented by q countryman of yours"
"a Sherman?" asked the prisoner.
'Yes, q German. His name was
Roentgen. The X-ray is sometimes
called the Roentgen ray"
Herman seemed interested. The
lawyer proceeded.
"This machine is now used by sur.
geons to locate a bullet that is lodged
inside man. If you had swallowed
nail 1t could be seen in your stomach
by means of this instrument"
"Got in Himmell Dot machine vas
invented in Shermany?"
"Yes, 1t was made In Germany; but
I'm going to use 1t in America. I'm
going to bring one of them into the
court and look into your stomach with
it."
"vot you do dat fori"
ITO prove that you ate corn for
breakfast this morning"
VII dat machine show corn in my
stomick?" asked the prisoner, seeming
ly more interested in the machine than
that it might prove him guilty.
IF you robbed the cornfield as
charged, you undoubtedly ate the
fruits OF your robbery for breakfast
and the Roentgen lamp will show 1t In
your stomach"
"Mein Colt; vot a machine!"
Snow, Gotlieb, If you will plead
guilty win ask his honor to give you
light sentence"
The prisoner appeared to be lost In
thought. The prosecutor, thinking that
he had not heard the question, repeat.
ed it. Then suddenly Gotleib called
the bluff.
Bring on dot machine"
BY this time the judge, the court and
the spectators were on the tiptoe OF
expectation of an amusing scene. The
....~n~,.+,~~ occ,,,aad n cnvora 0ir. and.
calling an attendant, sent him for an
electric lamp. The prisoner was so in
tent upon it that he did not see the
smiles of those present.
"Prisoner," said the prosecuting at.
torney with great severity, "will you
plead guilty and take light sentence
or suffer the full penalty Of the law If
1 find corn in your stomach?"
Herman's face assumed an expires.
sion of a struggle within him. The
court was led to believe that he dread.
ed exposure from the Roentgen ray but
doubted its efficacy. Finally he turned
to the Judge and said:
"vat punishment you gif me If he
find dot corn in my stomick7"
'sTen days In JAIL"
The prisoner looked again at the
electric lamp, which the prosecutor
was flashing for the purpose of terri.
flying him.
Ferry well. I go to shall; but ]
won't confess dat vas guilty"
There was nothing for the attorney
to do but carry out his purpose; he
flashed the lamp against the prisoners
stomach and feigned to examine 1t with
a reading glass.
'sThere 1t is" he said. "You must
have eaten a dozen ears" Then turn
ing to the Judge, he added: Having
proved the prisoner guilty, your honor
1t remains for you to pass sentence up-
on him. And on account Of his per.
sistence In denying his guilt urge
that you make 1t all that the law all
lows"
depressing his laughter, the judge
said:
Prisoner stand up"
The prisoner rose.
Have you anything to say why /
should not pass sentence upon your
yes. jutch. Dot machine vas neffer
made In Shermany In de WORT. 1t is
hUmbug and don't tell de truth. All
had for breakfast dis morning vas
dish of sauerkraut."
There was an explosion in the court
room. the only official word spoken be-
ing, Case dismissed"