The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-05-21

a glimmer of Scotch color dyeing his
cheeks.
AS he stood on the platform to be
measured, Peter raised again slowly
on his toes. The physician looked at
him with half-smile and hesitated.
Peter could have sworn that he was
discovered, but the doctor said moth
ing.
Five feet four and a quarter" he
called, and started measuring Peters
chest. Again the result astonished
the registration clerk
When he came to look at the feet,
Peters heart misgave him again. but
the doctor merely passed his hand
slowly over the bottom of his foot a
few times and went on with his ex-
animation. There was an infinite tap
ping Of the chest and listening with
the stethoscope while Peter obedient-
ly coughed and breathed, and coughed
short and hard again.
Sound lungs" said the doctor;
great little chest you have here, my
lad, and not so small, either. Get on
the scales over there"
Peter strobe gaily to the scales and
stood while the weights were slid
along the bar
zone hundred and nineteen and a
half" said the physician, and hest
tated
Half pound Light" asked the
clerk
Half a pound light" said the doc
tor and sighed.
otherwise you've found me all
right, doctor?" said Peter.
Right as a trivet," said the doctor,
cordially.
Doctor" said Peter, 81 am very
eager to join the colors. I'll gain
that half pound in two days if you'll
give me chance"
The doctor hesitated. Peter felt
that heaven and hell rested on the re-
suit. But the big physician finally
shook his head
"Pm sorry" he said, but I'm not
authorized to make exceptions"
Peter thought back sadly to the
lunch which he had neglected to eat.
Next" called the Doctor and Peter
went back to the dressing room.
His step was light and his manner
strange, as he walked down the street
And his face once more twisted into
its fighting expression.
And it CHANGED by the merest quirk
of fate that when he had walked
blindly some half-dozen blocks he
raised his head and saw the sign of a
fourth recruiting office.
Peter paused in the street, threw
back his head and laughed. He en-
tered the outer recruiting office. Two
clerks sat there.
81 want to see the examining physi-
cian,' said Peter gently.
want to be examined" asked one
of the clerks. "You don't look hardly
big enough to get by; but go into that
room and take off your clothes. The
doctor'll see you in minute"
There is nothing farther from my
orb re IN no cd - sol
Peter in the same quiet voice, but
may l see the doctor?"
"Oh, sure" said the clerk, eff it's
just a personal matter"
st is" said Peter; strictly per-
sonal."
"Then you'll find him n that room
through that door there; he's not busy
now"
THANK you," said Peter, and step
ped to the door and into the next
room.
There were only two men in the
room, the registering clerk, who sat
behind little table, and the doctor
himself, who stood with his stetho-
scope hanging around his neck. He
was a heavy built man, square-jawe6,
bull-necked and quick moving.
"Well, lad" said he, what can l
do for you?"
Better get undressed before you
see the doctor" broke in the clerk
officiously
1.-THE dressing room is there" said
the doctor.
But I'm here" said Peter Critten.
den.
He walked calmly enough across
the room, and his eyes never moved
from the big doctors face.
We'll" said the doctor, rather puz-
zled by his strange visitors actions
whats the main idea?'
"This!" said Peter. and planted his
right fist on the point Of the doctors
square chin.
Now, if a boxing critic had wit
messed that punch, he could not but
have admired. Not the famous Critic
himself ever delivered blow more
Clearly, or with more machine-like
precision. 1t was a right cross.
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