The Washington critic., 1886-01-04
THE DENTISTS CONFESSION.


of wcary-looking young man in a
dress suit, who was reclining in the
capacious operating chair, and smoking
cigar. The dentist had been prepared
by his servant to see professional
visitor, but he was totally unprepared
for the visitors luxurious, frce.and-
easy attitude. AS the young man recog-
nized the dentist through the aurcolc
guilty of one who is used to that sort
of thing;
doctor, / want tooth filed"
The professional gentleman, who
also looked a little weary, took needle
like instrument from n marble shelf
with his right hand, and with his left,
gently pulled down the young mans
chin disclosing an interior that fairly
glittered with gold. AS the dentist put
his head closer to the young mans
mouth and tapped gently on the
only tooth that seemed to have any of
its original structure left he became
aware that his patient had been drink
ing. AS the dentist made this dis
covery, which furnished him with a
reason for the unexpected visit and at
titudc, the young man found out that
the dentist was not a prohibitionist.
II suppose" said the dentist, tap
ping the tooth again, you want gold
put in this?'
The young man nodded ailirmatively.
The dentist noticed, as he tucked a
towel under the young mans chin,
that he wore massive gold watch
chain, diamond shirt studs, and q big
solitaire ring. He mentally concluded
that the young man could afford to pay
$50 for having his tooth repaired.
An energetic agitation of a little steel
probe in the hollow of the bad tooth
dispelled some Of the young man IS
WEAKNESS.
81 should say" the dentist observed,
rs he inserted revolving tool, opera
ted by treadle, into a cavity and
worked 1t around with great enthusiasm
II should say that the gold in your
head is worth a snug little sum.
The young man made sound indi-
eating that it was.
The dentists liquor, apparently un-
like the young mans, was speech pro-
voking.
WHO filed them p he inquired, as
he withdrew the tool and let the patient
spit out some part of superlluous
tooth.
The young man languidly answered,
as If the dentist were boring him as
well as his tooth, that il was certain
well.known dentist.
"Is that SOY" said the tooth mender,
with surprised expression. "Why,
he and / were partners less than eight
years ago. He's u good dentist one
of the ornaments of the profession, sir,
| once had very funny experience
with one of his customers y very
funny"
| A look of distress came over the
| young mans face. But the dentist S
| liquor spurred him on, and he began
| in the style of man who had told the
story before:
81 was crossing Broadway at Twen-
ty-eighth street one rainy summer night
about five years ago, when cab came
dashing along, spattering mud right
| and left. Just as it bounded over the
crossing the head of a-does that
hurt ?--the head of pretty young
woman protruded from the"
"Ouch!' exclaimed the young man,
starting up in the chair, You've
struck nerve. Why in blazes--"
81 beg your pardon, said the dentist,
backing away as If he expected the
young man to pitch into him, IL
think not don't believe the nerve is
exposed. But if you will be calm and
permit me to look, l will find OUT" and
the dentist introduced n little looking.
glass into the young mans mouth and
examined the tooth. mo" said the
dentist, confidently, "the nerve is all
right" Then he got to work with the
revolving tool again, and resumed his
narrative, Notwithstanding the frown on
the young mans face.
"As l was saying, just as she put her
head out of the window her teeth, an
upper set, fell out in the mud. saw
her handkerchief raised to her mouth
and her head disappear in the darkness
| of the interior of the cab. picked NJ
the teeth, and, after wiping them of
with my handkerchief, put them in my
| pocket
The young mans face showed, fol
the first time, glimmer of interest il
the narration.
"Of course" the dentist went on
81 expected the cab to turn round di
rectly, and waited on the corner tC
have the pleasure of handing thu
teeth back to their lovely owner
But | was disappointed. The cal
ratified right on. took the teeth home
and examined them attentively.
recognized them rs the handiwork o.
my former partner and myself, They
were valuable set, and rs | turnc(
them over and over under the gasligh
| recalled the face of the young woman
for whom we, my partner and |, mad,
them. 1t was the same face-Thcre,
guess that will do" And the DENTS
withdrew the bu2Zing tool, and goinl
to little cupboard took out some cot
ton, box of gold foil and little auto
matte rnmmcr. AS he returned to thi
young mans side and began the iina
work of filling the tooth, he notice,
that the look of wearncss had nlmos
vanished from the young mans face
He construed this rs an invitation Il
resume his story. He ycnturcd to asl
the young man where he had left off.
II think" answered the young man
"thNt you said il was the same face
"Oh, yes, 1t was the same face
saw in the cab window. | went to bee
and dreamed about the young woman.
"What p exclaimed the young man
starting up in the chair, Then noticin!
the interrogation points in the dentist
eyes, he became calm, and remarked
Excuse me, but that nerve gave me
tremendous thump."
"Wcll," continued the dentist, ms h
| l.. Al i
that heard after breakfast the mex
morning was that young woman wa
waiting for me in the Office l had III
intmation that would see the owne
of the false teeth, and when opened
the door leading to the Office saw he
sitting there, vision of perfect woman