Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-01-27

u2u.
The doctor bowed to Mr.. s. and
said,-
"My name is Scroggins.''
MIR. S. bowed in return, remark
ing, "Will you walk in and take a
chair, sir ?"
Both gentlemen sat down. About
Mr.. S. there was An air of expectancy
viii ch thadoctor did not fail to notice,
Ny name is DR.. Scroggins," said
he, repeating his first introduction.
II am glad to see you doctor, said
S., bowing again.
"I received letter from youl
house directing me to call here, as
YOU had something to communicate
which would be to my advantage.
"There must be some mistake,
said MIR. s., no such letter has eman-
ated from u.s."
care you sure?" said the victim,
turning pale, and handing Mr.. S..
the letter.
After looking over it he said,-
"The is no truth in this letter; I am
sorry to say you have been the victim
of an idle and reprehensible jest; to.
day, you are aware, is the first ot
April"
els it possible?" said the doctor,
clasping his hands. "Who could
have been so unkind, so hea1tless,
and cruel?"
els it then very great disappoint-
ment?" asked the kind hearted mer-
chant, struck with the doctors man.
ner; and by o few but adroit questions
he soon found out more of his history
than he intended to communicate;
he DISCOVER also that he was the son
of one of earliest friends.
Would you be willing to take
the position of resident physician at
the Hospital p finally asked
Mr.. S.
"To one in my position" said he,
"such place would be most desirable,
but 1 do not suppose I could obtain
it."
"Why not?'
"I am stranger here"
"Can you bring me testimonials of
professional ability ?"
81 can-testimon;als of the high
est order"
"Bring them to me, doctor, at the
earliest possible moment. l suppose
you are q man of family"
" I am unmarried"
"That may be an objection. A
furnished house is provided for q
physician, and a man of family is pre-
fered."
"Ih have widowed sister who
would most gladly join me-"
That would do just as well. Bring
your testimonials as soon as possible.
I think your April fool letter has
turned out something to your advan-
tage, after all, laughed Mr.. s.
Affairs turned to the satisfaction
of both the doctor and the kind heart
ed merchant. In less than month
he found himself and sister settled in
comfortable quarters, with O salary
oftwelve hundred dollars per annum;
moreover, for certain duties required
of her at the hospital, his sister re-
ceived two hundred dollars per year
in addition.
MIR. Top, in the meantime, looked
in vain fer the doctors return, and
thought that the fear of being laugh.
ed at kept him away.
Where is Doctor Scroggins," be
inquired of one and another.
But no one had seen him. Finally
he told his friends that he had sent hin
to New York on q FOOLS errand, the
first day of April, and he was, nc
doubt ashamed to come back.
"Look out next April = said they;
the doctor will be even with yor
then"
cit will take a brighter genius thar
he is to fool me-" replied Top.
The first day of April came rouud
again, and Mr.. Top expected certain
| ~ W u06E A1OM OOCtO4 JCIOSSA0c
who, he thought could never forgive
him. Sure enough, he received q let
ter from New York. He laughed
aloud as he read it,
! "MR. BENJAMIN Top-Dear Sir: II youwil
| call at Messrs. w. Il HIS, No. =, Wal
Street, New York, you may hear some
thing to your advantage"
"Our friend Scfoggins is q wit,
said he, "but he will find me to-
wide awake to be caught in this trap
Catch me trudging off to New Yorl
on FOOLS errand! Does he think
haven't cut my eye teethP Dr.
Scroggins don't know this child, b
don't!' =
4 But still the idea haunted hir
that he might be loosing somethin
by not needing the letter, and tina
damped in some degree the pleasur
he experienced in having been to
| sharp for the doctor.
Five or six months afterward Tor
being in the city on business, har
pened to meet DR.. Scroggins.
How are You, doctorY said he
grasping the hand of the physician
cx1 e,,.r:I:v~, 900 ~ &l,n ~,..:l Ne. ,x<,n,