The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-09


Ezra shrunk within himself. He top
pied sideways. He nearly tainted.
II can't go! I won't go!" he cto t.
tered, ooh, Ned! help me out OF this
awful fix. I 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
1 can fix you up right and get you re-
jected, is it thousand cash for me?"
"Two; three!" cried Ezra eagerly.
"Only get it 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 a
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 q
dentist. The latter, we'll bribed, i'm
parted to Ezra the information that
he could fix up his teeth so that no
accept him for service.
It cost Ezra eight teeth and $500.
He would have 20 gum it along" for
the future, but what cared he, so that
the offensive smell of powder did not
aSsail 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 WOodville
one morning to report to the examin-
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"
INC 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 a spice of diabol-
ism In the grimace, for at heart Ned
despised his craven employer.
Med" observed Ezra dismally, 1--WE
need not have sacrificed those mo-
larsV
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, as he examined EZra'S mouth
II fear you are going to have time
of it."
Which verify Ezra did. For a full
month he was lanced, poulticed
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 it's ignoble decision! But
at least he could do his bit. He sent
a check for $500 to the local Red
| Cross society. He asked permission
to head the Zone 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 haC
quarreled with Ned, whom he had re
| fused a loan, and who had left him
significantly limiting about knowing 6
good deal that would be great scanda
food for the gossips. Ezra wondered
if Ned had betrayed him. He woult
! feel his way aud call Upon Esther
He would flash upon her the star hi
wore, emitting him to act in "asso
ciated secret service work" for the
government. He would display the
glittering red, white and blue pin ht
wore, made up of rubies, diamonds ant
sapphires. The local paper should
chronicle big subscription to the sol
diers' families fund with the morrow
AS Ezra started from the depot fol
brass instruments under their arm:
! flashed by him in three automobiles
"Who are those fellows?" question
ed Ezra Of a 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 ii
/ the darkest corner of the smoker.
Wrathjly he reckoned up the cos
of his exemption tactics. He could
not grind his teeth, for most of then
were gone. He could not stamp his
feet in rage-they were too fiat. He
could only glare, and humble, ant
shrink within his unworthy self, al
heart and in verity-a- Stacker"