The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-08-11
OUR STOR Y TELLER.
A PRACTICAL JOKER.


New York City gentleman, by name
Benjamin Top, who thought there was
nothing in life to equal ii good joke. He
owned small store, and kept almost
every article of domestic and agricul-
tural use, and was thereby pretty well
acquainted with all the townspeople, 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
almost beyond the power of endurance.
The first of April was Mr.. Tops espe-
cial delight, and that was smart child
who could enter his store on that day
without being made the victim of some
trick so that from morn till night of the
first day of April his face was on a
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 a joke.
!" | must have first-rate one this
time" said he to himself. "Who shall
it be2 Let me think; ah! / have it-Dr
Scroggins; yes; it shall be he. What
shall | send--a love letter? No; he looks
too woe-begone for that"
After considering while, Top drew
the pen and ink near him and wrote as
follows:
Dr. ScRoGGINs-DEAR SIR: Please call
as early as possible at Messrs. S. & b. -,
T,I1S
will hear something to your advantage.
Then folding and directing the letter,
he snapped his fingers with childish de-
light.
PHI send him to New York on a FOOLS
errand," said he, " and have good laugh
at his expense"
DIR. Scroggins, the subject of this
heartless joke, was bachelor about
forty years of age; he had been living in
the village only six months, and had
thus far gotten only very small prac-
tice; not that he lacked ability, but he
was awkward in his person, and in his
manners not very prepossessing, and be-
ing shy and reserved in his disposition,
was but little fitted to push his way into
society. He seemed to be very poor, for
he rented small office, supplied him
self with the simplest fare, and his
lounge at night acted as his bed
The first day of April arose bright and
clear; DIR. Scroggins, who was an early
riser, prepared his simple breakfast, and
after partaking of it and arranging his
Office, took his seat to await expected
calls for consultation, or to request his
attention on some suffering invalid. But
no such calls were made, and the doctor
sighed heavily under the pressure of dis
appointment.
What can hinder my progress? I
understand my profession" he said " in
not single instance have | failed to
give relief when called to the bed of
suffering. All, mel If / only had my
self to care for, would be content to
live on bread and water till l could gain
the confidence of the people. But you,
my poor sister, who have already drank
deep of the cup of sorrow, must have
more added to it. And what can / do ?
Nothingw
The doctor pulled letter out of his
pocket and read:
+" l would not trouble you, my dear,
, kind brother" wrote his sister, "know-
ling, as / do, how poor your prospects
sre, and how patiently you are trying to
Wait for practice, did not want SO press
onme and my child. If you can spare
me : little-ever so little-it will come
as a Blessing, for my extremity is very
great
Just as this time the letter-carrier
stoppedand handed the doctor letter
he opened and looked at it in perfect
amazement, and read it over the second
time.
Something to my advantage! What
can it beT' said he. Dear sister,
should there be anything good in store
for me how freely will l share it with
you and your darling Emmal Surely
the good God has heard and answered
my prayer"
The doctor, who had little preparation
to make, started for the city, and Top,
who was on the lookout for him, could
scarcely hide his expltation at sendipc
off an inoffensiye man who could barely
support himself on a needless errand OF
expense and trouble.
The doctor, as he wendell his way To
the city, was so fully possessed with the
idea that some old relative (for he had
seyeralt had died aid left him fortune,
that he had in imagination made
various dispositions of it before he had
arrived at the end of his journey.
Can ! see one of the gentlemen be-