Ooze

"Ooze" is a short story by American author and editor Anthony M. Rud. It has been speculated that it was an influence on H. P. Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror".
==Synopsis==
A wealthy scientist living in the Alabama backwoods discovers a way to allow amoeba to grow to any size. When a specimen grows to the size of a cow's liver, he instructs his son to destroy it. The son, seeing an opportunity to increase his father's fame, does not destroy the creature, and instead pays a local to bring meat to feed it. However, the amoeba grows too large and hungry, and devours the son and daughter-in-law. The father succeeds in burning the creature to death, but is driven insane with grief.
==Characters==
*Unnamed Narrator, a friend of the Cranmer family who determines to uncover the truth of what happened.
*John Corliss Cranmer, an accomplished and extremely wealthy scientist.
*Lee Cranmer, John's son.
*Rori Pailleron, a dim-witted local drunk who strikes a bargain with Lee.
==Publication History==
"Ooze" was the first story in the debut issue of Weird Tales, March 1923. It has since been reprinted in several publications, including more than one Weird Tales anthology.
Category:Lovecraft's Inspirations (works)
Category:Anthony M. Rud works