The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-01-04
miscellaneous.
''SNoOPER."


Remcsa (her name was Isabel, lizzie has not
a pretty sound), the charming hazel eyed
golden haired fairy, was engaged to be mar
ried to Doctor Bander.
But this fact alone was neither inc0mpre-
hensible nor extraordinary, for he was as
wealthy as she; he was as handsome and
learned man as she was pretty and REIN
ed woman no, the rare feature in the case
was, that the relatives of both high contract
ing parties were not only satisfied, but emf
nently pleased with the match.
Imagine, fair reader-and unfair one, too
what would you think if your mother-in-law
were openly, in your presence and out OF it,
to express her unqualified approval of the
brilliant match her child had made. What
| if your sister in-aw should agree with their
mother?
Well, that was the astonishing feature in
Bellies and the Doctors engagement.
They loved each other devotedly, ofcourse,
but because there was no opposition to the
match they lost great deal of the miserable
joys, or joyous mseries, of courtship. They
felt as if they had been married for years,
because their good bye kisses were not stolen,
but given and received, as matter of course
in presence of all.
The wedding was to take place Christmas
eve, and grand preparations were being made,
for it was to be the affair of the season.
One evening in October, the doctor, after
pulling his brides younger sisters ears to his
hearts content, suggested late oyster sup
per, and for some reason which he would
find difficult to explain, carried home an
oyster shell from the repast.
On the following morning he found it in
his pocket, and while resting from his pro.
| fessional work, amused himselfby thoroughly
scrubbing it. But few of us know how
beautiful an oyster shell is" said he.
"As beautiful as BELIEF" asked his friend
and former classmate. Doctor Collins, who
while lying on Bunder's operating chair read
the latest medical journal.
No" said Doctor Bander, while he con.
tinued to admire the shell.
Nor as eloquent" again said his friend
in teasing tone
(Which" asked DR.. Bander, anonymously
| Collins continued his reading, as Bandel
mechanically polished the shell. Suddenly
an idea presented itself to liim which seemed
to the back of the shell, and upon its face hi
painted the word "Snooper." He ornament
ed its edge with narrow rim of gold ant
then hung it on the wall of his office, among
the paintings and articles of lJric-a-brac, mos
of which he had collected on his travels
| When he had finished his little ornament
his friend arose, looked at 1t, and said:
"Regy, what is q snooper?"
DR.. Bander, without changing feature, o
manifcsting tho least annoyance in his tone
answered:
"An apparatus designed to make blame,
fools ask questions"
For some reasons both laughed, yet Meth
er would have been able to explain thei
amusement except, perhaps, by the antithe
sis it presented to the usual serious charaC
ter of their employment.
The "snooper" was soon forgotten in tn
discussion of new operation which a surg
cal celebrity was just then introducing, whe
Miss Belle entered with message from he
mother, asking whether Regy would hav
time TO dine with her that evening.
The doctor kissed his bride, whereupo
his friend, with farcical gravity, felt hi
pulse, and in breath said:
"Repetitur pro re nata, five dollars is m
fee," and affecting pompous stride, took hi
hat and overcoat and went home.
While DR.. Bander proceeded to write, Mis-
Belle "set things Alright" which as brid,
was pleasure to both, and which, as a viii
she might consider quite task and he an il
sufferable bore. Such is the way with
majority of professional men-they seem
enjoy disorder in the workshop of the
brains, and their wives take particular pleas
ure in depriving them of that enjoyment.
The elegant little Mushroom which Bel
had given her future husband was whskin
off the particles which had settled upon h
books and ornaments as she talked to him.
Suddenly she stopped, touched the oyste
shell upon the wall, and read the wor
"snooper"
"Regy, what is snooper" she inquired
"a 'snooper, DEAR" he answered, lis a
apparatus designed to make fools ask que
, tions."
She did not laugh, but quietly laying dow
the buster, before he could understand b,
}. actions, she had left his office, and momel
later he heard the street door open.
"Belle, DEAR" he exclaimed, but his voit
, was full ofmisgising The door closed, an
DR.. Bander understood that something he
|. disturbed the pleasant engagement His G
I forts to continue writing proved fulfil
u Bellies silent exit spoke volumes to him. L
could not convince himself that the matt
would blow over as soon as he might wis
The entrance of patients, for awhile ga,
his thoughts other direction, but his Off,
hours were hardly over when be determine
L to call on his bride and either laugh away Il