The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-04-08

After looking it over he said:
"There Is no truth in this letter; 1 am
sorry to say that you have been made the
victim of an idle and reprehensible jest;
to day is the first of April"
sis it possible ?" said the doctor clasp
ing his hands. "Who could have been
SO unkind, so heartless and cruell"
''Is it then a very great disappoint-
ment?'' asked the kind-hearted merchant,
struck by the doctors manner; and by a
few but adroit questions, he soon found
out more of his history than be intended
to communicate; he discovered also that
he was the son of one of his earliest
friends.
"Would you be willing to take the
position of resident physician at the
Hospital q finally asked Mr.. S.
"To one in my position" said he,
''such place would be most desirable;
but I do not suppose 1 could obtain it. -
:'Why not p
81 am a stranger here"
"Can you bring me testimonials of
professional ability
81 can-testimonials of the highest
order"
Bring them to me, doctor, at the ear
liest possible moment. I suppose you
are man of family"
s'I am unmarried"
THAT may be an objection. A fur.
nished house is provided for the physi-
clan, and man of family is preferred. J"
81 have widowed sister who would
most gladly join me-"
"That will do just as well. Bring your
testimonials as soon as possible. I think
your April fool letter has turned out
something to your advantage, after all, "
laughed Mr.. S.
Affairs turned out to the satisfaction of
both the doctor and the kind hearted
merchant. In less than a month he found
himself and sister settled in comfortable
quarters with salary of S12O0 per an
mum; moreover for certain duties re
quire of her at the hospital, his sister
received two hundred dollars in addition.
Mr.. Top in the meantime, looked iu
vain for the doctors return, and thought
that the modification of being made an
April fool and the fear at being laughed
at, kept him away.
"Where is Doctor Scroggins p he in
quired of one and another.
But no one had seen him. Finally he
told his friends that he had sent him to
New York on a FOOLS errand, the first
day of April, and he was no doubt asham
ed to come back.
"Look out for next April" said they,
"the doctor will get even with you
then"
cit will take brighter genius than he
to fool me, " replied Top.
The first day OF April came round
again, and Mr.. Top expected certainly to
hear from DIR. Scroggins, who, he
thought would never forgive him. Sure
enough, he received letter from New
York. He laughed as he read it,
"MR. BENJAMIN Top, Dear Sir:-H
you will call at Messrs. W. & HIS, No. :
Wall st. You may hear something to your
advantage"
"Our friend Scroggins is w.t." said
he, 'sbut he will find me too wide awake
to be caught. in this trap. Catch me
trudging off to New York on FOOLS err
rand. Does he think 1 haven't cut my
eye teeth9 DR.. Scroggins doesn't know
this child, he don't!"
But still the idea haunted him that he
might be losing something by not~heed-
ing the letter, and damped in some de-
gree the pleasure he experienced in
having been too sharp for the doctor.
Five or six months afterward, Top
being in the city on business, happened
to meet DR.. Scroggins.
"How are you doctor?" said he, grasp
ing the hand of the physician, and smil-
ing one of the smiles peculiar to his
face when he felt he had played capital
joke on somebody.
81 am well; how are you Mr.. Top?"
"First rate;' replied he. with irresist-
able glee. ''You wasn't sharp enough
last April, Doctor
"What do you mean Z" asked the doc
tor.
"You didn't succeed in getting me to
the city on fools errard"
81 don't understand you Mr.. Top, -
said the doctor, gravely.
'W. & HIS Wall street-something to
your advantage"
The doctor looked puzzled.
''You needn't look SO innocent doctor.
I sent You to New York in April. eigh-
teen mouths ago, ana it was but natural
that you should wish to pay mo lis my
own coin. But was too wide awake to
be caught"
You are certainly too wide awake for
me now. VIII you please explain your
self, ;" said DR.. Scroggins.
"April before last you received let
ter to the effect that if you would call in
Wall street, you would hear something
to your advantage"
81 did, said the doctor.
"Well?"
81 called accordingly, and did hea,
something to my advantage.
"What ?" Top looked very much sur
prised and disappointed at the same time
"And did you not write me similar one
last April p
''Im above such cold -blooded cru city
sir" said the doctor. In tone tha
marked his real feelings. ssThe pers OF
who could do such a shing must has.
e0rOathIpu had about