, 1877-02-09

Nhluluks
The doctor pulled a letter out of his
pocket, and read
Il would not trouble yOu, my dear,
kind brother" wrote his sister, " know
ing. a. 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. II you can spare me
a little-ever so little-it will come as
blessing, for my extremity is very
great"
just at this time the letter carrier
stopped and handed the doctot letter;
he opened and looked at it in perfect
amazement. then read it over for the
second time.
Something to my advantage! What
can il be?" said he. " Dear sister,
should there he anything good in store
/ for lne, how freely will share it with
Won and your darling Emmal Surely
| the good God has heard and answered
/ my prayer"
/ The doctor, who had little prepara-
| ton to make, started for the city, and
/ Top, who was on the lookout for him,
could scarcely hide his exultation at
sending off an inoffensive man who
could barely support himself, on a
needless errand of expense and trouble.
The doctor, as he Yended his way to
the city, was so fully possessed with the
idea that some old relative flor he had
several) had died and left him fortune,
that he had, in imagination, made vari-
GUS dispositions of it before he arrived
at the end of his journey.
"Can 1 see one of the gentlemen be-
longing to the frm?" asked the doctor,
entering the store of S. & B.
"There is Mr.. S., said the individu-
al addressed, referring him to middle
aged, but benevolent looking man.
The doctor bowed to Mr.. S. and said =
my name is DIR. Scroggins."
Mr.. S. bowed in return, remarking,- =
"Will you walk in and take chair,
sir?"
Both gentlemen sat down. About
Mr.. S. there was an air of expectancy
which the doctor did not fail to notice.
my name is DR.. Scroggins, said he,
repeating his first introduction.
''I am glad to see you doctor" said
s., bowing again.
81 received letter from your house
directing me to call here, as you had
something to communicate which would
be to my advantage"
"There must be some mistake" said
Mr.. S., ''no such letter has emanated
from us.
'Are you sure?" said the victim,
turning pale, and handing Mr.. S. the
letter.
After looking over it he said,-
"There is no truth in this letter;
am sorry to say that you have been made
the victim of an idle and reprehensible
| jest; to-day, you are aware is the first of
! April.
us it possibles" said the doctor,
clasping his hands. ''Who could have
been so unkind, so heartless, and cruel?"
SIS it then very great disappoint-
ment?" asked the kind hearted mer-
chant, struck with the doctors manner;
and by few but adroit questions he
soon found out more of his history than
he intended to communicate; he discoy-
cred also that he was the son of one of
his earliest friends.
Would you be willing to take the
position Of resident physician at the
=:.Hospital9' finally asked Mr.. S.
'sTo one in my position" said he.
"such place would be most desirable;
but do not suppose could obtain it. :"
"Why not?"
81 am q stranger here"
''Can you bring me testimonials of
professional abiity?"
II can-testimonials of the highest
order"
'sBring them to me, doctor, at the
earliest possible moment. suppose
you are a man of family" i
81 am unmarried"
sThat may be an objection. A fur
nished house is provided for physician,
and man of family is preferred"
ST have widowed sister who would
most gladly join me"
THAT will do Just as we'll. Bring
your testimonials as soon as possible. I
think your April fool letter has turned
out something to your advantage, after
all, " laughed Mr.. s..
Affairs turned out to the satisfaction
Of both the doctor and the kind hearted
merchant In less than q month he
found himself and sister settled in com
Portable quarters, with q salary of
twelve hundred dollars per annum;
moreover, for certain duties required of
her at the hospital. his sister received
two hundred dollars per year in addi-
ton.
Mr.. Top, in the meantime, looked in
vain for the doctors return, and thought
that the modification at being madean
April fool, and the fear of being laugh
ed otkept him away.
"Where is Doctor Scroggins" he in
quired of one and another.
But no one had seen him. Finally he
told his friends that he had sent him to
New York on fools errrand, the first