The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-08-02
OUR STORY TELLER.
A PRACTICAL JOKER.

A PRACTICAL JOKER.
There lived in a village not far from
New York City a gentleman, by name
Benjamin Top, who thought there was
nothing in life to equal a good joke. He
owned a 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 we'll 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 a 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, u merry friend looked
around to see who would be a fitting
subject for q joke.
az must have a frst-rate one this
time" said he to himself. "Who shall
it BET Let me think; all Ihaye it-Dr.
Scroggins; yes; it shall be he. What
shall I 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:
DR.. ScRoGG1Ns-DEAR SIR: Please call
as early as possible at Messrs. S. & B.,
will hear something to you advantage.
Then folding and directing the letter,
he snapped his fingers with childish de-
light;
"P1 send him oNew York on a FOOLS
errand," said he, ndhaye agoodlaugh
at his expense"
DR.. Scroggins, the subject of this
heartless joke, was a bachelor about
forty years of age; he had been living in
the village only six months, and had
thus far gotten only avery small prac-
tice; not that he lacked ability, but he
was awkward in his person, and in his
tanners not very progressing, 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 a 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? ]
understand my profession" he said; "ir
not a single instance have 1 failed tc
give relief when called to the bed o.
suffering. All, me! If 1 only had my
self to care for, / would be content t.
live on bread and water till 1 could gain
the confidence of the people. But you
my poor sister, who have already dranl
deep of the cup of sorrow, must hav,
more added to it. And what can 1 do
NothingF"
The doctor pulled a letter out of hi
pocket and read:
"Iwould not trouble you, my dear
kind brother" wrote his sister, "know
ing, as I do, how poor your prospect
are, and how patiently you are trying t
wait for practice, did not want so pres
on me and my child. If you can spar
me a little-ever so little-it will com
as a blessing, for my extremity is yer,
great"
Just as this time the letter-carrie
stopped and handed the doctor a letter
he opened and looked at it in perfec
amazement, and read it over the secon,
time.
Something to my advantagel VIVA
can it bet" said he. "Dear sister
should there be anything good in stor
for me how freely will l share it wit
you and your darling Emmal Surel
the good God has heard and answere
my prayer"
The doctor, who had little preparatio
to make, started for the city, and ToI
who wa on the lookout for him, couf
scarcely hide his exultation at sendin
off an inoffensive man who could barrel
support himself, on a needless errand Q
expense and trouble.
The doctor, as he wendell his way I
the city, was so fully possessed with tn
idea that some old relative (for he ha
several) had died and left him a forum,
that he had in Imagination mad
various dispositions of it before he ha
arrived at the end of his journey.
"Can 1 see one CT the gentlemen b,
longing to the firm? 2" asked the docto
entering the store of S. & B.
"There is Mr.. S." said the individu;
addressed, referring him to a middle
aged but benevolent-looking man..
The doctor bowed to S. and said:
"My name is DIR. Scroggins."
Mr.. S. bowed in return, remarking:
"Will you walkin and take a chat
sir?"
Both gentlemen sat down. Abol
Mr.. S. there was an air of e~xpentanc,
which the doctor did not fail to motto
>"My name is DR.. Scroggins," said h
repeating his first introduction.
"Iamg glad to see you, DOCTOR" saidM
s., bowling again.
az received letter from your hous