Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-09-05
4 PRACTICAL JOKE.
BY META BELLE.

PRACTICAL JOKE.
BY META BELLE.
There lived in village not far from
New York city gentleman, by name
Benjamin Top, who thought there was
nothing in life to equal good joke. He
owned a small store, and kept almost
every article Of domestic and agricultur.
al use, and was thereby pretty well &C.
quainted with all the towns people, as
they were likewise well acquainted with
him. Mr.. Top had played so many
pranks on the people around him that
he would have made enemies but for his
constant good humor, and his ability to
soothe the parties he had irritated al
most beyond the point ofendurance.
The first Of April was Mr.. Tops es-
pecial delight, and that was a smart
child who could enter his store on that
day without being made the victim of
some trick $50 that from morn till night
Of the first day Of April his face was on
broad grin, and it happened that all
those who sought to catch him had the
Joke turned on themselves.
A few years ago, as the first of April
approached, our merry friend looked
around to see who would be a fitting
subject for joke.
Il must have a irst-rate one this
time" said he to himself. ''Who shall
it be ? Let me think ali have it
DR.. Scroggings yes, it shall be he.
What shall send-a love letter ? No /;
he looks too woe-begone for that.
After considering awhile Top drew
the pen and ink near him and wrote as
follows
'sDr. SCRoaGINs- Dear Sir Please
call as early as possible at Messrs, S.
g. B., No Wall street, New
York, where you will hear something
to your advantage"
Then, folding and directing the letter,
he snapped his fingers with childish
delight.
''I'll send him to New York on a
FOOLS Grand" said he, land have a
good laugh at his expense"
DR.. Scroggins. the subject of this
heartless joke, was bachelor about
forty years ofage he had been living
in the village only six months, and had
thus far gotten very small practice !;
not that he lacked ability, but he was
awkward in his person, and in his man
ners not very progressing, and being
shy and reserved in his disposition, was
but little fitted to push his way into So
ciety. He seemed to be very poor, for
he rented small Office, supplied him
self with the simplest fare, anda lounge
night acted as his bed.
The first day Of April arose bright
and clear DR.. Scroggins, who was an
early riser, prepared his simple break
fast, and after partaking Oft and ar
ranging his Office, took his seat to await
expected calls for consultation, or to
request his attendance on some suffer-
ing invalid. But no such calls were
made, and the doctor sighed heavily un-
der the pressure of disappointment.
What can hinder my progress ? l
understand my profession" be said ;
Sin not single instance have I failed
to give relief when called to the bed Of
suffering. All, me If I only had N.Y.
self to care for, I would be content to
live on bread and water till 1 could gain
the confidence Of the people. But you,
my poor sister, who have already drunk
deep Of the cup Of sorrow, must have
more added to 1t. And what can do ?
Nothing !" A..
The doctor pulled letter out of his
pocket, and read /:
II would not trouble you, my dear
kind brother" wrote his sister, know.
ing as do, how poor your prospects
are, and how patiently you are trying to
wait for practice, did not want press
on me and my child. If you can spare
me little-ever 80 little-lt will come
as blessing, for my extremity is very
great"
Just at this time the letter-carrier
stopped and handed the doctor letter
he opened and looked at it in perfect
amazement, then read it over the Sec
ond time.
Something to my advantage What
can it be ?" said he. '.Dear sister,
should there be anything good in store
for nae how freely will l share it with
you and your darling Emma Surely the
good God has heard and answered my
prayer" a.... b
The doctor, who had little prepare.
ton to make, started for the city, and
Top, who was on the lookout for him
could scarcely hide his exultation al
sending of an inoffensive man wht
could barely support himself on asnesd
less errand of expense and trouble.
The doctor, as he wendell his way Il
city. was so fully possessed with tht