The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-12-15
TINKLER'S TRIUMPH.


ar of that paradoxical old saying, "You
can't always judge man by his size"
The doctor had small body indeed, but
there the small part of it ended. He might
be only fragment physically, but he had
mental, moral and spiritual attributes that
were really Brobdignagian. He had
large practice, too, which afforded him
sufficient income.
There was just one dark cloud on the
Thinker horizon-the doctor was passion
ately in love, and he had rival. Now,
when the conditions are equal, or perhaps
little bit in your favor, rival only
lends interest to a love affair But with
little Dr. Tinker the case was sadly differ
.ent. His rival was giant-a six foot
athlete, whose herculean proportions were
sufficient to excite any woman's admira-
ton, any mans envy.
On a summer evening the diminutive
doctor arrayed himself in purple and fine
linen and determined to place himself in
the uncertain hands of fate. Bella should
decide his destiny. AS he entered her
wicket gate his rival emerged from the
doorway, and they passed each other on
the graveled walk. The big man looked
down and sneered. The little man looked
up and scowled.
"Belle," said the doctor" see that fell
low has been here again"
eyes, Tom, if you mean Mr.. Dixon.
He comes frequently"
"Belle," said the doctor iiercely, 81
love you"
81 know it, Tom"
"There is no big idiot on earth who can
ever love you half so tenderly as love
you"
''It is possible, Tom"
"Well?"
''Weli, Tom2"
"Will you marry me, Belle Summer
son?''
She put her hand on his shoulder and
looked at him doubtfully.
81 could almost love you-perhaps do
love you, Tom, butt And she hesitat-
ed and looked at him so queerly that his
heart was filled with suspicion.
''What is it, BELIEF" he cried. "You
are not thinking of my size surelyP"
~ was, just-you know you are small,
Tom"
at is too much p he exclaimed desper.
ately. 'Oh, if could only prove my de
votion by deeds, what would l not I'M
dergol You should see that stature is of
small moment"
'Would your" she asked eagerly. "Oh,
Tom, knew you were brave. throw
myself under your care. / have been in
suited"
''Insultedl By whomH"
She was silent. Again asked the doctor
valorously:
''Ohl BY whom?"
Crank Dixon"
"The villainp'
CDR. Thomas Tinker" said she, with
great solemnity, "if you will thrash that
man, will marry you any day you say"
81 will eat him upp exclaimed the lit
tie doctor, reaching for his hat with fe
rocious movement.
"Stay, Tom"'
"Say no more, Belle. I will devour
him. The renegadep' cried the little doc
tor in terrible voice, and he Immediate
ly marched out of the house.
"Oh, merciful heavens, what have /
,doneS" cried the unhappy young lady.
"He will be killed know he will Tom,
come back to mel Come back, Thomasr ~
But her cries were in vain. Thomas,
her soul, was already far down the street,
fastening in pursuit Of the unconscious
Dixon.
Miss Summerson, terrified at the unex-
ptCbcu VI bolLcu
her hat and followed, determined to save
the doctor at any sacrifice Of her own dig
nifty.
The usual village crowd was in front of
the village hotel. Mr.. Dixon had paused
there and was chatting affably with his
friends when the valiant doctor appeared.
Crank Dixon" cried the breathless
little man, "you are an intense villainl /
will thrash youP'
CLAP said Dixon. "Hear it talk now
just hear it'll Little boy, run home to
your mamma"
"Preparel will pummel you'll / give
you warningP' cried the little doctor,
and before the astonished athlete had
time to realize that an assault was about
to be made upon him Tom Tinker rushed
up and seized him by the legs and upset
him on the sidewalk. 1t was such sur
prising mode of attack, and the doctors
movements were SO rapid that Dixon had
no time or opportunity to set himself right
again.
"Aha, wretch will teach you'll Ahap
and the little doctor seized the PROSTATE
man by the hair and fiercely pounded his
head against the pavement.
''HelpP cried Dixon. "Take the little
devil off BE is killing mAr'