The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-11-11


"Why, of course, / added nervously,
st shall do whatever you say, but Ter
do You think there is any pressing
hurry?"
"Ahem; you must take the response
bility of waiting, sir replied the doctor
with an air that need not be described.
$50 on!" said with a groan, as 1
lay back on the rack.
Lying thus supinely, while he with
main strength honeyeombed another
splendid grinder, bethought me of a
new tack, and so, taking advantage OF
the next breathing spell, l began:
Doctor-er-have you-er-a daugh
that isl have noticed young lady
in your pew, and II thought perhaps
she might be a relative of yours ?''
Eyes replied my tormentor, with a
rising infection, as he got out more
cotton wool. tt h A
CT was thinking-er--of getting up
era little picnic; it is so desirablecto
promote sociability among the young
people of the church, should like to
invite her if-that is" tt~t
L hesitated and blushed. The doctor
sharpened his instrument and coughed
dryly. 'a
"My daughter knows too many young
people, already. THAT is-her mother
does not approve of so much gadding. I"
"Of course we shonld need matron,
and 1 should be glad-er--highly hon
ored if Mrs. Porter would join us" fall
tered with shameless hypocrisy.
"Thank you; will inform them Of
the invitation" said the doctor, coldly,
as he prepared to go to work.
/ submitted myself to two or three
hours more of rasping and gouging,
cheered at the thought of my mastery
stratagem.
went home that night with sense
of nervous exhaustion, and my head
feeling like barrel; but, firm in my
purpose, the next day repaired early to
the doctors office, supported against
prospective torture by the inspiring Wis.,
ion of success.
The doctor went silently and grimly
on with his work, and finished with a
second and third tooth. But yet not a
word of the invitation. Just as L was
upon the point of sounding him upon
this subject he suddenly startled me to
my hearts core by saying, coolly:
ooh, here's a tooth that must come
out p
"Eh. what - cried, springing from
the chair. "No, no. Stop stop !"
ooh, don't be scared; it won't kill
you !" said the merciless little man, re-
garding me with contemptuous smile.
CT won't have it out. You want
to Lack me to pieces You want to
make a ruin of me - cried, indig-
nantly.
The doctor sneered, and said, quietly,
but with an air of exasperating signif-
canoe, as he turned away: You neednt
get so excited, young man You needn't
have it done unless you choose"
"What do you mean ?" 1 asked, nerv-
ously. whats the matter? Is the
tooth decayed? p
"No; but it soon will be T.
"And then ?"
cit will ulcerate, and you will proba-
bly, lose piece of your jawbone.
Scared beyond expression at this
alternative, / hesitated. The doctor saw
his advantage and pursued it.
1T will only be for moment" he
said, picking up his forceps, and con-
cealing them behind him'as he advanced.
"No, no." cried, with my knees
knocking together; THAT is-yes-or
rather if it must be done; but-give me
chloroform ! might - I'm subject to
fainting fits - do you think twill have
much of a root ?"
Then, in the midst of my terror, rec
ollecting what all this sacrifice was for,
/ cried feebly as the wretch fastened his
horrid forc2ps on my beautiful tooth:
"About the -what-what p
''Ah," said the doctor, gathering all
his little strength for the coming wrench,
"Mrs. Porter is much obliged TO you;
she accepts the invitation with pleas
ure.
Iseized the arms of my chair. Nerved
by the sweet thought of success, L sus-
tanned the ordeal like hero.
But" continued the doctor, coolly,
as l rose from the chair with bound,
and regarded him with an air of triumph
and relief, "my daughter regrets that
she will be unable to'do SO on account OF
another engagement"
Defeated, Inundated, incensed,
rushed from the office of the perfidious
little dentist. cursed the stepmother
L vowed / wouldn't have her. l found
means to give up the picnic. L even
tried to give up Jane, but ali in vain.
And so for three long, dreary months /
racked my brain to devise some new
scheme to further my purpose. Atlength
Fate came to my aid. One Sunday
afternoon L came out upon the church
steps to find Jane there, looking heav-
emily i'll new spring bonnet, and rain
falling heavily. She gazed about in dis
may as the people, one by one, departed,
and the sexton began shutting the doors.
1t was then that, summoning up all my
resolution, | advanced, with my heart
in my mouth, and said:
"Miss Porter, believer"
"Yes," she replied, regarding me sus-
piciously.
"If you will allow me-offer you
share of-umbrella. gasped out.
"You are very kind don't know
/ expected my brother, but"
Meanwhile / had been opening my
umbrella, and now stepped alongside
and offered my arm. With a coy and
guarded air she took it. As she placed
bar small roiftad hand in fha croolx az