The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-03-01


The doctor bowed to Mr. S., and
'My name is Dir. Scroggins.'
Mr.. S. bowed in return, remark
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 no.
tice.
My name Is doctor Scroggins, said
he repeating his first introduction.
q am glad to see you, DOCTOR said
Mr.. S., bowling again.
4 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
NJ. S. no such letter emanated from
US
Are YOU sure p said the victim
turning pale, and handing Mr.. S. the
letter.
There is no truth IN this letter;
am sorry to say that you have been
made the victim Of an idle and repre-
hensible jest; to-day, you are aware
is the first of April
is it possible p said the doctor,
clasping his hands. who could have
been so unkind, so heartless and
cruel ?
SIS it then such a great disappoint-
lnent p asked the kind merchant, struck
with the doctors manner; and by a
few kind aud 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
place of resident physician at the -
Hospital p finally asked Mr.. S.
sTo one in my position,' said he,
such place would be most desirable !;
bu, / do not suppose could obtain it.
'Why not?'
Il am stranger here
Can you bring me testimonials of
professional ability?'
4 can-testimonials of the highest
order.
Bring them to me, doctor, at the
earliest possible moment. [ suppose
m q p,a,, Of 70, l,yp
Il am unmarried
THAT may be an objection. A fur
nished bouse is provided for the ply
sician, aud man of family is pre-
terred.'
Il have a widowed sister who would
gladly join me-
THAT will do just as well. Bring
your testimonials a. soon % possible.
L think your April fool letter has
turned out something to your advan-
tage after all laughed MIR. S.
Affairs turned out to the satisfac-
ton of both the doctor and the kind
hearted merchant. In less than
month he found himself and sister set
lied in comfortable quarters, with
salary of twelve hundred dollars per
annum moreover, for duties required d
of her, at the hospital, his sister re-
ceived two hundred dollars per year
in addition.
Mr.. Top, in the meantime, looked in
vain for the doctors return, and
thought that modification at being
made an April fool of, and the fear OF
being laughed at kept him away.
where is DIR. Scroggins? p inquired
he 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 errand the
first day of April, and he was no
doubt ashamed to come back.
Look out for next April said they
the doctor will be even with you
them
st will take a brighter genius than
he is to fool me- replied Top.
The first day of April came round
again, and Mr.. Top expected certainly
to hear from Mr.. Scroggins, who, he
thought, could never forgive him.
Sure enough he received a letter from
New York. He laughed aloud as he
read it:
Mr.. BENJAMIN ToP:-Dedr SIR
If YOU will call on Messrs. W Il
P, No. - Wall street. New York,
you may hear something to your ad-
vantage
Our friend Scroggins is witt said
he, but be will find me too wide
awake TO be caught in this trap. Catch
me trudging OIL to New York on a
fools Grand! Does he think | haven't
cut my eye teeth2 DIR. Scroggins
don't know this child, he don't
But still the idea haunted him that
he might be losing something bv not
needing the letter, and that dampened
in some degree, the pleasure he ex-
perienced at having been too sharp for
the doctor.
Five or six months afterward, Top,
being in the city Oh business, hap
pened TO meet DR.. Scroggins.
How are you, doctor?' said he,
grasping the hand of the physician and
smiling one OF the smiles peculiar to
his face when ne felt he had played a
capital Joke on somebody.
Il am well. And how are you, Mr..
1oo?'. said the doctor.
'First-rate! replied he with ire
pressible glee. You wasn't sharp
n Dugh last April, DOCTOR
'What do you mean?' asked DR..
ScrOggius.
you didn't succeed iu sending me