The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-08-29
The Death
Tablet
By EVERETT M'CLOUD

surgeon Ill tue Cphnlsn-aintTlchu wal
was one OF the first medical men q
offer his services to France on the open
Ing OF the great worlds war. While II
Cuba he was very young man an'
full Of military as well as the medica
spirit He had fought duel while thu
army was operating before Santiago
and on one occasion had distinguished
himself by remaining among the
wounded when all his comrades hat
been driven or the field.
But Jernegan at forty-three was a
different man from the hot headed Jer
negan at twenty-five. From a man OF
impulse he had developed into a mar
Of thought and well considered action
He rose rapidly In the esteem OF the
French medical staff and before Ions
was made the medical director Of an
army division
At period when the French were
hard pressed by the Germans In the
latter's efforts to capture yerdun Jer-
negan was directing the distributions
of surgeons upon different parts OF the
field, vainly cndeavoring to make the
limited number at his command suf-
hce, when a young French surgeon
named Dervieux came in with a hot
complaint against one lie Fevre, fell
low surgeon, who had ordered him of
the field for what lie Fevre considered
gross neglect of a wounded man.
Doctor" said Dervieux to Jernegan,
,~,ap1ea 40 obollapoa Eavra m
fight. and 1t Is necessary for me to Sc
cure your permission in the matter"
go to the front" replied Jernegan
sternly, where the Germans are now
launching an attack, and If you are not
killed will give lie Fevre chance at
you
When the attack was repulsed Der
vieux returned to his superior Jerne
gan was so absorbed in his duties and
responsibilities that he did not recog
nize him.
WELL" he said. what can do for
your"
Il wish your permission. doctor. to
fight duel"
well, you can't get 1t. There are
enough of our surgeons killed by the
enemy without their killing each other
Dueling under such circumstances Is |
reprehensible."
But, doctor, have heard that You |
fought duel while In the American |
army and at the front"
The doctor was taken fat aback by |
this. He niade no reply for few mo-
ments. He was thinking. Finally he
said
Come to me with your adversary to-
morrow after we have got some of
these wounded men OFF to hospital, and
/ will see what l can do for you"
The next afternoon the two antago-
nists reported at Jernegan's headquar-
tiers and stood before him scowling at
each other Jernegan endeavored to
impress upon them the folly of dueling,
when there was plenty of
necessary fighting on hand. but the
custom has never been stamped out In
France, though many efforts have been
made to eradicate it. Finally recog
lizing the futility of his efforts, the
- ultllNdH Silu W LIS
France cannot spare any of her sur.
,eons now, but since you gentlemen
must show your pluck you may do so
inder plan by which only one will c
lie Under the code both may be a
Killed or at least disabled Under my t
Ian one viii surely die, while the other b
viii still be fit for duty" a
The doctor pledged both parties to f
hide by his plan. then produced two /
ablets. which be placed upon a table 7
,efore him. They were exactly the r
anne size, shape and color. l.
Zone of those pills" said Jernegan,
contains deadly poison; the other is !,
armless. You may each select one" :. :.
Now. gentlemen" continued the :
MEDICAL director, taking out his watch, >
| will give the signal for =
he combat by directing each one of Il
on to swallow his tablet" d.
There is nothing so wearing as indie IL
lsion Very soon both disputants be IL
an to show Signs of nervousness. But
he signal did not come. Dervieux's
and wherein lay his tablet began TO
'emble, and lie Fevre showed signs of II
'eakness in his legs. T
Doctor said Dervieux, you must a,
ave kept us waiting half an hour. Is h,
necessary ~
II have kept you only five minutes" a,
as the reply ~
Presently lie Fevre showed signs of g
Surely, doctor" he said. 1--WE have
zen waiting an hour. How much =
niger are you going to keep usT
you have been holding those tablets
st twelve minutes" replied the doc
r. by the bye, l forgot TO ask you
he who must die desires any word
mt home and what disposition is to
made of the body?"
By this time neither of the duelists
as in condition to give such direc-
ms. Jernegan kept them In suspense !.
all twenty minutes, then, seeing that i
tn were In a mental agony that
ght produce serious results, said:
Gentlemen. how would you like to
Ike me referee in this matterT
rhe officers consented. lie Fevre "
ID that Dervieux. as the challenger. o
ist speak first Dervieux consented, /
d Jenegan took both tablets and o
allowed them.
They were made of powdered crack :,
L.. - -