The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-01-11

cracked tone.
"pon't know. Unlucky numbers
those-they agure up IS. I'll see. Here
you are" and Ned opened the newspa-
per as Ezra fell bodily Into chair,
trembling. painting. wild-eyed.
2O2-9471-11320-2 and 30 on
Ned rapidly read of the numbers In
rotation.
"Skip everything but the four thou
sands" directed Ezra in quavering &C.
cents.
"All right-4-(Exra shuddered)-
$685." Ezra took heart. Another four
two In rotation. "Ah, here we are
4G12."
Ezra shrunk within himself. He top
pied sideways. He nearly tainted.
~ can't 60! won't go!" he chat.
tered. "Oh, Ned! help me out Of this
awful fix. l don't care what 1t costs.
I'll pay $1,000 for exemption. Can't
you bribe the examining physician1"
"Dnngerousi Treason! Hold on,
say. are you game for the money! II
l can fix you up right and get you re-
jected. Is 1t thousand cash for mel"
"Two: three!" cried Ezra eagerly.
"Only get It DONE"
1--WE got a 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 q
week. I'll 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 q 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 1t along" for
the future. but what cared he, 40 that
the offensive smell Of powder did not
assnIl his delicate nervesi
His jaws became swollen. He could
not enjoy his food. the lack Of the
teeth made him look older. but Exra
bore this martyrdom with patience.
With Ned he returned to Woodvilie
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"
"No need" sharply snapped the ON
cinl keenly glancing over Earn 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 patheticslly eyed Ned as they
came outside. however. The latter
xrinned. There was 4 spice Of diabcl-
ism in the grimnce. for at heart Ned
desplsed his craven employer.
.Ned." observed Ezra dismally. I'VE
need not have sacrificed those mo-
larsl"
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.
"Infectton." crisply reported the
dentist. as 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.
druxsed. During the interim he had
Ned 10 about disseminating his SEN
timepta, The country he loved had
refused his valiant services! Eager
to battle the nations foes. he was
crushed at its ignoble decision! But
Mt 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, lie wished 1t %. for he had
nuarrelcd with Ned. whom he had re-
fused a loan, and who had left him
s,xn,ficsutly limiting about knowing a