Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-11-19
Western Remedy
for Snake Bite
BY J. D. ELLSWORTH

~
a the discreet sinfulness Of Boston;
but when business called me 10 Maine,
our down-East sister whose temper
ate example is always held before our
eyes, felt that I was about to set
foot on the stepping stone of heaven.
To provide against the serpent that
must inevitably haunt such an Eden,
I filed my pocket flask with the stand
ard western remedy for snake bites.
The train left the Union station at
nine in the morning, and anticipating
a stupid ride | went into the smok-
ing-car to enjoy cigar and read my
newspaper The car was fitted up with
mahogany card tables and stationary
cribbage boards. In the seats in front
OF me were three travelling men.
"Play euchre?' said one of Them
looking toward lean. lanky stranger
Does it cost anything"
'Not cent"
"Well. then, guess I'll come in"
and he opened himself like a jack
knife and strolled to his place.
AS the train rushed over bridges and
through suburban cities the novelty
Of my surroundings so encroSsed my
attention that I did not notice the
card players again until l heard tie
lean stranger say:
Il guess Pm going to be real sick.
| never had such fearful pain before
in all my life
He put his hand on the pit of his
stomach, and there were sharp lines in
his face that Indicated intense agony.
The dealer looked up sympathetically,
and his partner said;
1--WE got little something with me
from Kentucky. Perhaps it might do
you good
Il come from Maine" said the
stranger "and we don't drink rum
down there. But, as q medicine, I
might take a few drops if you don't
think it would go to my head"
Lounging back in my seat and watch
ing the dissolving panorama of snow
hound villages l ruminated on the
incident
All Lynn I was reminded of the
mers got out and another passenger
took his place The last conner carried
a gun case and was dressed for a
hunting trip When we reached Salem
at 9:35 the two remaining drummers
left. The lean stranger and the sports
man found two new partners and con-
tinued playing.
AS | had finished my cigar and ex-
hausted my newspaper, tried to
amuse myself by watching the game
When the cards we're passed to the
lean stranger he shook his head and
pushed them over to his partner.
IDEAL for me" he groaned; give got
an awful pain in mS side. 1t seems
like pneumonia, but it may pass in
minute"
The group looked solicitous, and the
sportsman, taking a black bottle from
the pocket of his hunting-bag, said:
Take some of this, man; you
mustn't fool with pain like that
81 come from the state of Maine"
said the sufferer, land I'm opposed to
strong drink. But, rather than delay
the game. gentlemen, I'll take little
as medicine"
At the twn of Newburyport the
1snky representative OF the Pine Tree
state was left alone at the card table.
I was becoming interested in him. AS
we crossed the bridge over the Mer-
rimac | lost Asight of him for a mo-
ment, but wfRn the train had passed
the state lima | walked forward in
the car. My Invalid friend was play
ing seven-up With a swarthy stranger.
Dropping inb seat, I patiently
waited for Developments We were
due to reach Portsmouth at 10 40. |
looked at my wStch from time to time
and then at the man from Maine I
saw that he began to get uneasy. His
face showed signs of suffering and
he coughed violently.
The brakeman brought some water
in tin cup. The suffering man mo-
toned him away. gasping. 81 wouldn't
dare (cough) to take water Cough
il makes it worse"
The swarthy stranger drew from his
cap q PONhCI hcSN dllfI ldNdFu IL W
the sufferer The spasmodic cough
ceased for a moment, and a familiar
voice sald
MY friend, hail from the state
Of Maine and believe in total absti-
hence, ! can't take drink, but I'll just
swallow few drops as medicine
D. TIE car was almost deserted after
we left Biddeford. and another change
came over the unfortunate representa-
tive Of prohibition. IN very low tone
he asked a question Of the conductor,
who replied by shaking his head de-
cidedly Then the man from Maine
went forward into the baggage ear and
returned with a pale, haggard face.
Bringing out the flask l had filed
at Boston. and unscrewtng the top,
said stranger, viii you join me?"
Thanks, very much" he replied !;