New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-12-28

''Do what, sis ?" Jane asked, looking up in
surprise.
81 mean to have some fun with the doc
tor'
"What doctor p
"Dr. Carpus."
"How?n
81 am going to send for him profession
MARY"
81 am. Fido needs physician, and don't |
know any one who would be so likely to under |
stand his case as the learned DR. Carpus? %
Why, Mary are you crazy ?"
"Oh, no but I'm serious The yoSng man
wants practice, and l feel a benevolent wish
10 advocate his Interests
1t wonld be capital joke - Jane said, so
amused at the IDEA that she conld not retain
grave couutenance.
at will be capital joke, for I'll do it this
very day"
But will you see him ~
Certainly 1 will and look as solemn as
the grave.
1t was perhaps an hour after that DR.. Car
pus sat conversing with a young fellow
practitioner in regard to future prospects
Carpus was very sanguine. especially In respect
to the impression he was evidently making
upon the heart of Mary MsyHower. In the
midst of this conversation messenger came
in great haste with note. He opened it and
read
"Please call at Mr. Mayfowers in haste"
Has anything serious happened p the doc
tor asked, in a serious voice.
But the messenger had already disappeared.
THAT looks well, don't itg' Csrpus re-
marked TO his friend, with selfsatisfed air.
a | shall feather my nest there, certainly. But
must go Immediately. Nothing the matter
with Mary, hope"
few minutes after DIR. Carpus stepped from
the office he stood at the door Of Mr. May
flowers dwelling The servant who admitted
him directed him, with a serious air, to go up
stairs into the front chamber. With quick,
quiet step he assembled the stairs, tapped lightly
at the chamber door, and then opened it softly
and went in. The room was partially darkened,
bat not so much obscured that be did not per-
ceive Mary seated near the bed, upon which
lay the unfortunate poodle, with bandage
around one of his fore legs.
" Has anything serious occurred 2" asked
the doctor, as he paused and looked into Mary's
anxious face.
"Nothing very serious hope, doctor but
we have been dreadfuly frightened. Poor
Fido fell down a whole flight of stairs, and has
hurt himself very badly, l am afraid. did
not know what to do, father and mother being
away, and so | sent Immediately for YOU"
For few moments DIR. Carpus hardly knew
where he was, what to say or do. 1t was
plain, serious as Mary seemed, that she was
quizzing him, and that she had chosen a method
to annoy and mortify him Of all others the most
effectuai. Vain and self important as he was, his
character had in it spice of decision and
frmness He was likewise proud spirited, and
this determined him not to exhibit a portion of
the urprise and Indignation that he felt. Turn
ing cooly to the bed, he removed the bandage
from Fido's leg, and carefully examined it, much
to the pain of the poor dog, who uttered a con-
slant succession Of distressing cries. He then
replaced the bandage more carefully, and or
dered that said Dandage be kept constantly
wet with vinegar. A prescription was written
and handed to Mary, with directions how to
administer the medicine. Bowling then gravely,
and with dignifed professional air, he pro-
missed to call punctually OH the next morning,
and departed.
In the morning he came about the same hour,
entered with perfect composure, bowed to
Mary, who was in the sick chamber, with
courteous smile, and then turned to look after
his patient, whom he pronounced better.
Another prescription was written and again the
physician departed. This was continued for
week, sadly to the annoyance of Mary who,
however, kept up her assumed character as
perfectly as did the doctor. By this time Fido
could run about as usual and as the doctor
still called in regularly, Mary had to request
him to suspend his professional visits, as their
little pet seemed to be quite restored
DIR. Carpus bowed and smiled courteously at
tnls, ana tiicu left tho house OF oo~-so A..-y
was never after troubled with his company.
1t happened about six months afterwards,
when the whole story had gone the rounds, and
DR.. Carpus had been annoyed by it to his
hearts content, that n collector stepped into
hr. Mayhower's store end presented bill for
two hundred dollars for medical attendance In
his family
/" But don't owe DR.. Carpus anything. He
has never practiced in my family. What does
he mean, pray, by sending me bill T'
L know nothing about it," the collector re-
piled. 'He gave me the bill among others, and
asked me to present it."
Its very strange: He never visited my
family professionally"
What shall say to him, Mr.. Mayaower 2"
"Tel him that 1 say don't owe him any
thing, and am surprised at his presumiDg to
send me biil'
Very well, SIR and the collector left.
An hour after, and he returned with new
and more explicit bill. 1t called for two hun
dred dollars for :" six visits and medicine to I
dog Fido." AS soon as he read it, Mr.. May
flower became very angry, and said some hard
things about DIR. Carpus. When he had cooled
oil little, the collector demanded the bill, and
was formally told TO go about his business, and
that right speedily.
On the next morning Mr.. Mayfower was
still further COMPOUNDED to find lawyers note
in his desk, setting forth that be, the said law
yer, had been instructed TO bring suit on
certain claim, fully expressed. in favor of DR..
Carpus.
Here, then, the matter began to assume
rather serious. form. A lawyer was con-
suited, who assured him that Carpus could
not possibly recover the amount claimed, al
though he was legally entitled to regular fees
for his services, which undoubtedly wsuld be
awarded him. But as the prosecution of the
suit would necessarily lead to an unpleasant
exposure OF his daughter, who, if he defended
the case. would be called into court to give
evidence, the lawyer seriously advised the
lncensed old gentleman to settle the claim un-
Just and exorbitsnt as 1t was, and SO Get clear
Of the whole matter.
1t took old Mr. Mayfower some DAYS to
make up his mind to pay the BILL Finally,
however, the tears aud entreates Of poor Mary
prevailed. who had dreadful fear of being
called into court. Her fun with the doctor
brought the laugh on the wrong side.
About week after the claim was settled
etter was received from DR.. Carpus, couched in
pretty plain but respectable language, setting
orth the nature and effects Of the practical joke
which the young lady had played of upon him,
md alleging that she had enjoyed slittle fun at
his expense, IL was no more than fair that he
hould pay her off in her own coin. In con-
.lusion he referred to two one hundred dollar
bills which he had enclosed, and stated that, as
he had no legal right to them he could not re- !
ain them. He had succeeded in making the I
'arty who provoked him to institute mock