The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1919-08-07

you are" and Ned opened the newspa-
per as Ezra fell bodily into chair,
trembling. painting, wild-eyed.
62-9471-1132O-2O7 and so on.
Ned rapidly read off the numbers in
rotation.
"Skip everything but the four thou
sands" directed Ezra in quayering ac-
cents.
"All right-4-(Ezra shuddered)-
$685." Ezra took heart. Another four,
two in rotation. "Ah, here we are
4612."
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. I don't care what 1t costs.
I'll pay 5000 for exeH6tion. Can't
you bribe the examining physician7'
Dangerous! Treason Hold on,
say, are you game for the money! II
I can fix you up right and get you re-
jected. is it thousand cash for me7"
"Two; three!" cried Ezra eagerly.
"Only get it DONE"
"Ive got a scheme" declared Ned,
his eyes swapping from the impulse of
grand idea. "Tell your friends you're
called on business to the city for q
week. Til do the rest"
"The rest" began with Ezra and his
acolyte visiting the metropolis next
day. Ned's scheme was simple, If in
famous. He had a crony, who was
dentist. The latter, well bribed, i'm
parted 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 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:
II want to make claim for exemp-
ton. You see"
mo need" sharply snapped the ON
cial keenly glancing over Ezra from
top to toe. you're the worst speci.
men of Nat feet / ever saw. Exempt.
! Next!
Ezra Banyon could have danced for
JOY. He pathetically eyed Ned as they
came -oatsfde, however. The fattei
grinned. There was spice of diabol'
ism in the grimace, for at heart Ned
despised his craven employer.
"Ned," observed Ezra dismally, ''we
need not have sacrificed those mo-
lars!"
Now that the mental suspense was
over, physical realization asserted It
self. Those swollen gums became 0
constant menace. Ezra sneaked bach
to the city.
Infection" crisply reported thu
dentist, as he examined Ezra's mouth
Il fear you are going to have time
of it."
Which verify Ezra did. For full
month he was lanced, poulticed
drugged. During the interim he hat
Ned 90 about disseminating his sen
timents. The country he loved hat
refused his valiant services! Eage
to battle the nations foes, he wa
crushed at its ignoble decision! Blu
ut least he could do his bit. He sen
a check for $500 to the local Re-
Cross society. He asked permission
to head the home guard. His time, hi
means were at the disposal OF the Ian,
of the free and the home Of the brave
Ezra reached his home town afte
dark. He wished it so, for he ha
quarreled with Ned, whom he had re
fused loan, and who had left hiT
significantly limiting about knowing
good deal that would be great scanda
food for the gossips. Ezra wondere
if Ned had betrayed him. He woul
. feel his way and call upon Esther
He would fash upon her the star h
:. wore, emitting him to act In "asst
, ciatcd secret service work" for th
government. He would display tn
! gittcring red, white and blue pin h
2 wore, made up of rubies, diamonds an
!, saprhires. The local paper shoul
chronicle big subscription to the so
I diers' families fund with the morrow
AS Ezra started from the depot Il
9 home, a dozen uniformed men wit
brass Instruments under their arm
: flashed by him in three automobile
!. "Who are those fellows?" question
cd Ezra of bystander.
"Woodville Company A." came tt
4 prompt response. They're going dow
= to the Brill home to serenade Clyt
y Norton and his bride. just marie
He's Captain Norton, now"
5 Ezra Banyon returned to the depo
l, He sneaked back to the city. hiding
l. the darkest corner Of the smoker.
Wrathily he rcckoned up the co
: of his exenptic- tactics. He cou
not grind Ills teeth, for most OF the
!. were gone. He could not stamp h
feet in rage-they were too fiat. +
could only glare. and humble. al
shrink within his unworthy self, 4
It heart and in serity-a "slacker."
= Chinese Ambulance.