The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-08-15
A Practical j Oker.

nothing IN life to equal q gOod JOKE.
He owned a small store, and kept al
most every article Of domestic and ag
ricultural use, and was thereby pretty
well acquainted with all the townspeo
pie, as they we're likewise we'll ac.
quainted with him. Mr.. Top had
played 50 many pranks on the people
around him that he would have made
enemies but for his constant good hu.
NOR, and his ability to soothe the par
ties he bad irritated almost beyond the
power Of endurance.
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
trick so 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 fitting
subject for a joke.
HuSJ nave lllSb' Iubb Oub lllS
time" said be to himself "Who shall
it be =? Let me think sh |! l have it
DIR. Scroggins yes it shall be he.
What shall send--a love letter? No;
he looks too oe-begone for that"
After considering while, Top drew
the pen and ink near him and wrote
as follows:
DIR. SCRoGGINs DEAR SIR: Please
call as early as possible at Messrs. S.
q B, No.-Wall Street, New
York, where you will hear something
to your advantage.
Then folding and directing the let
ter, he snapped his fingers with child.
ish delight.
"Tll send him to New York on a
FOOLS errand," said he, "and have q
good laugh at his expense" "
Dr. Scroggins, the subject Of this
heartless joke, was bachelor about
forty years of age he had been living
in the village only six months, aud
had thus far gotten only very small
practice; not that he lacked ability,
but he was awkward in his person, and
in his manners not very prepossessing,
and being shy and reserved in his dis
position, was but little fitted to push
his way into society. He seemed to
be very poor, for he rented small Of
flee, supplied himself with the sim.
plest fare, and his lounge at night act
ed as his bed.
The first day of April arose bright
and clear: DIR. Scroggius, who was an
early riser, prepared his simple break
fast, and after partaking of it and ar
ranging his Office, took his seat to await
expected calls for consultation, or tt
request his attention on some suffering
invalid. But no such calls were made
and the doctor sighed heavily under
the pressure Of disappointment.
"What can hinder my progress
understand my profession" he said
Gin not single instance have l failed
to give relief when called to the bee
Of suffering. All, me If l only haC
myself to care for, would be conten
to live on bread aud water till [ coulC
gain the confidence Of the people. Blu
you, my poor sister, who have alre dy
drank deep of the cup Of sorrow, mus
, have more added to it. And what caI
| do ? Nothing !"
The doctor pulled letter out Of hi
, pocket and read:
Il would not trouble you, my dear
kind brother" wrote his sister, "know
ing, as do, how poor your prospect
are, aud how patiently you are tryint
to wait for practice, did not want s
press on me and my child. If you ca
spare ME little-ever so LITTLE
will come as blessing, Tor my eXtreul
lily is very great"
just as this tirie the letter carrie
stopped and handed the doctor a lei
ter he opened and looked ut it in pei
$ feet amazement, and read it over tn
second time.
: Something to my advantage Whf
can 1t be ?" said he. Dear siste
should there be anything goodin stol
for me how freely will | share it wit
- yon and your darling Emma ! Surel
re the good God has heard and answere
i my prayer"
a The doctor, who had little prepari
tion to make, started for the city, an
Top, who was on the lookout for hin
could scalc cely hide his exultation
$, sending off an inoffehsive man wi
ID could barely support himself, on
u needless errand of expense and tro
K, BILE.
as The doctor, as he wended his way
the city, was so fully possessed wi
%. the idea that some old relative (for
y had severaD had died and left him
3 fortune, that he had in imaginati