The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-11-17

Don't know. Unlucky numbers
those-thcy figure up T.. I'll see Here
yon are" and Ned opened the n"wspa-
per rs Ezra fell bodily into ii chair
trembling, painting, wld-eyed.
-1132o-2O11." and so on
Ned rapidly read off the numbers in
rotation.
skip everything but the four thou
sands" directed Ezra in quavering az
| cents.
"All right-4-(Ezra shuddered)-
39S," Ezra took heart Another four
two in rotation. "Ah. here we are
1912"
| Ezra shrunk within himself. He top
pied sideways. He nearly tainted.
~ can't go! won't CO.. he chat
| tered oh, Ned. help me out Of this
awful fix. ] don't care what it costs.
| I'll pay $4,000 for exemption. Can't
you bride the examining physician?'
dangerous! Treason. Hold on,
| say. are you game for the money? If
can fix You up right and get you re-
| jectcd, is it thousand cash for me-"
| 1.-TWO; three" cried Ezra eagerly.
! ''Only get it done"
'Tvc got q scheme declared Ned.
! his eyes swapping from the impulse of
! a grand idea. Tell your friends you're
called on business 10 the city for
week. I'll do the rest
"Thc rest" began with Ezra and his
ac0lyte visiting the metropolis next
! day. Ned'S scheme was simple. If in
famous. He had a crony who way q
dentist. The latter, well bribed, i'm
pnrted 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 it along" for
the future, but what cared he. So that
The offensive smell nt powder did not
asSul his delicate nerves!
! 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 Woodyille
ing board As he entered the pres
rnc. of the chief examiner Ezra blurt-
ed out:
II want to make claim for e1emp-
ton. You see"
mo need" sharply snapped the Off
cial keenly glancing 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
grinned. There was n spice Of itaho!-
ism in the grimace, for ut heart Ned
deSpised his craven employer.
Ned" observed Ezra diSnally. "We
need not have sacrificed those mo-
lars :"
Now that the mental suspense was
over, physical realization asserted it,
self. Those swollen gums became a
constant menace. Ezra sneaked back
to the city.
"Infection." crisply reported the
dentist. rs he examined EZra's mouth.
Il fear you are going to have a time
Of It,"
Which verify Ezra did. For full
month he was lanced. poulticcd,
drugged. During the interim he had
Ned go about disseminating his SEN
timents. The country he loved had
refused his valiant services. Eager
to battle the nations foes, he was
crushed at its ign0ble decision. But
at least he could do his bit. He sent
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
dark. He wished it so. for he had
ouarreled with Ned, whom he had re-
fused n loan. and who had left him
Significantly limiting about knowing Il
good deal that would be great scandal
food for the gOssips. Ezra wondered
if Ned had betrayed him. He would
feel his way and call upon Esther
He would flash upon her the star ne
wore, emitting him to act in "ass0
ciated secret service work" for the
government. He would display the
giittering red, white and blue pin ne
wore, made up of rubies, diamonds and
sapphires. The local paper should
chronicle big subscription to the sol
diers' families fund with the morrow
As Ezra started from the depot FOL
home, q dozen uniformed men with
brass Instruments under their arms
flashed by him in three automobiles
"Who are those fellowsT question
ed Ezra of bystander.
"Woodville Company A." came the
prompt response. They're going dowr
to the Brill home to serenade Clyde
Norton and his bride, just married
He's Captain Norton. now"
Ezra Banyon returned to the depot
He sneaked back to the city. hiding IL
the darkest corner Of the smoker.
Wrathlly he reckoned up the cost
of his exemption tactics. he coult
not grind his teeth. for most Of them
were gone. He could not stamp his
feet In rage-they were too fat. He
could only glare, and humble. ant
AZ