Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-07-11


There lived in village not far from
New York City gentleman, by name
BENJAMIN Top, who thought there was
nothing in life to equal a good joke
He owned small store. and kept al
most every arllcle of domestic and
agricultural use, and was thereby
pretty well acquainted with all the
townspeOple, as they We're likewise
well ACQUAINTED with hun. Mr.. Top
had played so many pranks on the
people around him that he would have
made enemies but for his constant
the parties he had irritated almost be-
yond the power of endurance.
The first of April was Mr.. Tops
especial delight, and that was 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 1t happened
that all those who sought TO catch him
had the joke turned on themselves.
A few years ago, as the first of
looked around to see who would be Il
fitting subject for joke.
Il must have a tirst-rate one this
time" said he to himself. "Who
shall it be? 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 a while, Top drew
the pen and ink near him and wrote as
follows:
DIR. ScRoGGGNs- Dear Sir! Please call as early
rs possible at Messrs. s q b. ---, NJ. - Wall
T1re I, New York, where you will hear something
20 your advantage.
Then folding and directing the let
ter, he snapped his fingers With child
ish delight.
I'm send him to New York on a
FOOLS errand," said he, land have "a
good laugh at his expense
DR.. Scrogg.ns, the subject of this
heartless joke, was bachelor about
forty years of age; he had been living
III the village only six months, and
had thus far gotten only a very small
practice: not that he lacked ability,
but he was awkward in his person.
and III his manners not very preposse,p
ing, and being 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
othCe supplied himself with the sim
pleSt fare, and his lounge at night acted
as his bed.
The first day of April arose bright
and clear; DR.. ScrogglnS, who was an
early riser, prepared his simple break
last, and after partaking of 1t and az
ranging his office, took bis seat tC
await expected calls for consultation,
or to request his attention on some
suffering invalid. But no such calls
We're made, and the doctor sighed
heavily under the pressure of disap-
pOintment.
w hat can hinder my progress
l understand my profession he said
IN not a single instance have | failed
to give relief when called to the bed
OF suffering. All, me. If | only haG
myself to care for, | would be content
70 live Oh bread and water till | could
gam the confidence of the people. But
you, my poor sister, who have already
drank deep OF the cup OF sorrow, must
nave more added to 1t. And what car
dot Nothingr'
The doctor pnlled letter out of his
pocket and read:
would not trouble you, my dear
KIND brOther," wrote his sister
knowing, as | do, how poor YOU
prospects are, and how patiently yol
are trying to wait for practice, did no
wait press on me and my child |
you can spare me lttle-eyer so lit
ut-lt Will come as blessing, tor my
extremity is very grea :"
Just at this time the letter-carrie,
stopped and handed the doctor a let
Ter; he opened and looked at it in per
Iect amazement, then read it over th'
second time.
Something to my advantage. Wha
can 1t be- said le. Dear sister
should there be anything good in stor,