The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-12-07


: Il thought" said Newton, that II
get a lot of raisip bait ready for the
photographers In the lower meadow
They'll be throwing up their mounds
by the first of April"
mot them" said Mr.. Bronson, some
what Modified, mot before May
Where'd you get the raisin idee?"
1--WE learned 1t in school," answered
Newton. Jim had me study q bulletin
on the control and eradication of
pocket-gophers. You use raisins with
strychnine in 'em-and 1t tells how"
"Some fool notion. l s'pose," said
Mr.. Bronson, rising. But go ahead
If you're careful about handlin' the
strychnine."
Newton spent the time from twelve
thirty to half after two In watching
the clock; and twenty minutes to
three found him in the woodshed, pen
knife in hand, small vial of strych-
nine crystal before him, a saucer Of
raisins at his right hand, and another
exactly like 1t, partially filled with
gopher bait-raisins into which min
ute crystal of strychnine had been in
serted on the point of the knife.
At three-thirty Newton went into
the house and lay down on the horse
hair sofa, saying to his mother that he
felt kind o. funny and thought he'd lie
down while. At three-forty he
heard his fathers voice in the kitchen
and knew that his sire was preparing
/ to start for the scene of battle
A 4
Il gruesome groan. But his fathers
voice from the kitchen door betrayed
no agitation. He was scolding the
horses as they stood tied to the hitch
ing-post, In tones that showed no
knowledge of his sons distressed
moans
whats the mattery'
1t was Newtons little sister who
asked the question. Even though re-
garded as a pure matter of make
believe. such sounds were terrible.
"Oh, sister, sisterp' howled Newton,
run and tell 'em that brothers dy-
ingI"
Fanny disappeared in a manner
which expressed her balanced feelings
she felt that her brother was MAX
ing believe, but for all that. something
awful was the matter. SO she went
rather slowly to the kitchen door. and
casually remarked that Newton was
dying on the sofa in the sitting-room.
you little fraud" said her father.
"Why, Fannyl" said her mother
and ran into the ng-room-whence
In moment, with a cry that was al
most scream, she summoned her hus-
band who responded at the top of his
speed.
Newton was grooming and in con
vulsions. Horrible grimaces contorted
his face. his jaws were set, his arms
and legs drawn up, and his muscles
tense.
whats the matter?" His fathers |
voice was stern as well as full of anx-
iety. whats the matter, boy?'
"Ohl" cried Newton. "Ohi OH
Ohr
"Newtie, Newtie !" cried his mother.
"where are you in pain? Tell mother.
"Oh," groaned Neville, relaxing, 81
feel awful p
''What you been eating?" interro-
gated his father.
Nothing" replied Newton.
Il saw you eatin' dinner" said his
father.
Again Newton was convulsed by
strong spasms. and again his groans
filed the hearts of his parents with
terror.
That's all I've eaten" said he when
his spasms had passed, Except a few
'aisns. l was putting strychnine in
en-"
"Oh, heavensl" cried his mother.
He's poisoned Drive for the doctor,
ezra Driver"
Mr.. Bronson forgot all about the
'lection-forgot everything save anti
Totes and speed. He leaped toward
he door. AS he passed out, he shout
ID, "Give him an emetici" He tore
he hitching straps from the posts,
umped into the buggy. gave the spir-
ted horses their heads, and fled toward
own. Just at the town limits, he met
he doctor in Sheriff Dillys automo-
lie. the sheriff himself at the steer
ng wheel. Mr.. Bronson signaled
hem to stop, ignoring the fact that
hey were mixing similar signs to him.
Were just starting for your place."
aid the doctor. "Your wife got me
n the phone"
"Thank Godi" replied Bronson.
Don't fool any time away on me.
)rive,"
Get in here, En-" said the sheriff.
Doc knows how to drive, and I'll come
n with your team. They need slow
rive to cool 'em of"
"Why didn't you phone me?" asked
he doctor
ITO RE CONTTNyrrEp