The Meeker herald., 1918-03-30

tnOSG-tney uxUto up 10. III nee. herc
you are" and Ned opened the newspa-
per as Ezra fell bodily into chair.
trembling painting, wild-eyed.
'.282-0471-11320-2 and 10 on
Ned rapidly read OF the numbers In
rotation.
"Skip everything but the four thou
sands" directed Ezra In quavering &C.
cents.
"ATl right-4E(Exra shuddered)-
$685." Ezra took heart. Another four,
two In rotation. .Ah. here We are
1912"
Ezra shrunk within himself. He top
pied sideways. He nearly tainted.
II can't go! I won't go!" he chat
tered. "Oh. Ned help me out of this
awful fix. don't care what 1t costs.
I'll pay 5000 for exemption. Can't
You bribe the examining physician1'
"Danserousi Treason! Hold on.
say. are you game for the money! II
I can hx you up right and get you re-
jected. II II q thousand cash for mer
1.-Two; three!" cried Ezra eagerly.
"Only get 1t DONE"
"I've got a scheme" declared Ned.
his eyes swapping from the impulse of
q grand idea. '-Tell your friends you're
called on business to the city for
week. TIL do the rest.''
'-The rest" began with Ezra and his
acolyte visiting the metropolis next
day. Ned's scheme was simple. II In
famous. He had 4 crony who. was q
dentist. The latter. well brlbed, i'm
parted to Ezra the Information that
he could fix up his teeth 30 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, 10 that
the offensive smell Of powder did not
assail his delicate nervesi
His jaws became swollen. He could
not enjoy his food, the lack Of the
teeth made him look older. but Ezra
bore this mnrtyrdom 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:
ri want to make claim for exemp-
ton. You see"
"No need" sharply snapped the ON
cial keenly giancing over Ezra from
top to toe. you're the worst speci-
men of nat feet I ever saw. Exempt.
Nexti"
Ezra Banyon could have danced for
10y. He pAthetically eyed Ned as they
came outside. however. The latter
grinned. There was spice Of diabol-
ism In the grimaee, for at heart Ned
despised his craven employer.
"Ned," observed Ezra dlsmally, we
need not have sacrificed those mo-
larsi"
Now that the mental suspense was
over, physical realization asserted It,
self. Those swollen gums became o
constant menace. Ezra sneAked back
to the city.
"Infection." crisply reported the
dentist, a. he examined Exra's mouth.
II fear you are going to have . time
Of It."
Which verify. Ezra did. For q full
month he was lanced. poulticed.
drugged. During the interim he had
Ned 60 about disseminating his SEN
timents. The country he loved had
refused his valiant servicesl Eager
to battle the nations foes, he was
crushed at its 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 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 1t 80. for he had
quarreled with Ned. whom he had re-
fused loan. and who had left him
significantly limiting about knowing a
good deal that would be great scandal
food for the gossips. Ezra wondered
II Ned had betrayed him. He would
feel his way and call upon Esther.
He would fash upon her the star he
wore, emitting him to act in "asso-
ciated secret service work" for the
government. He would display the
glittering red. white and blue pin he
wore. made up Of rubies, diamonds and
SdppHlEeSs Lie AOSuA paper oHousu
chronicle big subscription to the SOL
diers' families fund with the morrow.
As Ezra started from the depot for
home, q dozen uniformed men with
brass instruments under their arms
flashed by him In three automobiles.
swho are those fellows7" question
| ed Ezra Of bystander.
swoodville Company A." came the
prompt response. They're going down
| 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 In
the darkest corner Of the smoker.
Wrathily he reckoned up the cost
of his exemption tactics. He could
not grind his teeth, for most Of them