The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-14
rHE TWENTIETH CENTURY.
A Report of q Conversation as to when
IL Really Will Begin.


tipped back again st the wall smoking a
long cigar.
The dentist the veterinary student
and "Doo" Horne looked up when the
question was asked, and then glanced ~
one another inquiringly.
Don't you know?" asked the dentist.
"No. heard two fellows arguin'
about it. wonder which was right?''
cit begins in three years now." said
the dentist "It begins in 1900"
"What day in 1902
"Why, the first day, Of oour se-the LIST
of January"
That's what one of the fellows said
that was maxim the talk"
"Well, it's right, isn't it?"
II don't know. just asked"
II don't see how there could be any
question about IL, said the dentist "Do
yous'
"well. / have figured, Of course. that the
twentieth century will beRin in 1900
That's the year Of the French Exposition.
isn't iti''
1.-The twentieth century begins as soon
as we start to use 1900 instead of 1900, !"
said the student
That's it," remarked the dentist
"Well, I'd like TO chance little some
thing that you're wrong" said the
freckled boy. ''I'm not positive, but I'm
willing to risk little money that you 10
both wrong.
"Is 1t tricky" asked the dentist.
"Tricky Certainly not just ask you
the question, When does the twentieth
century tegin-what day?' You say it's
january ]. 1900. Well, offer TO bet a
small amount that you're wrong"
~ don't see why I'm wrong"
"well, if you're SO sure, why don't you
bet?"
Its tho ninetsenth century M to mid
night of December 81, $780, and then at
midnight we Legin to cou1t another nun.
dred and change our first two figures
from Is to 49,. AS soon al we begin
counting on 49,. then we'rs in the
twentieth century. amt weY"
''That's what you say, but you won
bet. -
"Make il two"
"I'll take tho other dollar" said the
veterinary student excitedly.
The ireckled boy searched his pockets
and brought out silver dollar. three
quarters two dimes, and nickel The
dentist produced two half dollars, and
gave them TO the student in exchange for
"a SO bill.
"You hold the money, Doc. isair the
dentist, handing him the bill. Now,
who will you leave 1t to"'
"I'll leave IL to Doc here, If he'ii take
five minutes to figure On it," said the
frecklea boy. dropping his coins into
doc hand.
Pm willing" said the dentist, with
smile of confidence.
"It's hardly fair that l should act,
said doc" 4" ~ have already expressed
an opinion"
"You needn't decide the bot till you've
had time to think over the business,
said the frecked boy Then you'll lind
out that the twentieth century begins on
January /, 1901. "
"Yes, he will" said the dentist, deris-
lively.
Certainly he will. What's goin' TO
DO the last year in the nineteenth CEN
tury?'
"why, 1899.
''Is that SO? I say it's 1900. "
"How do you make that outs'
"S'pose you start to count hundred.
Are you through when you've counted
ninety nine. HUMP"
"Oh, that's not the same at all. Hero -
The dentist went to writing table and
picked UP piece Of paper. He drew a
line and made rough CROSS marks on 1t.
Suppose we want to count up to a IA n
ored, by years. At the end Of % we come
to 90 and nc the end of 90 we round off 100
and start in with new count
"No, no." said 'Doc" Horne frowp-
ing heavily and looking at the floor.
"The question Is somewhat puzzling at
first, but I'm inclined to think that our
young friend IL right.
stop minute and think. Doc, !"
said the dentist earnestly. Hes trying
to count IL years for every century.
doc" reached tor the paper and began
to make some diagrams on his own ao-
count.
Now, gentlemen, the simple method
by which to arrive at conclusion Is TO
go back TO the beginning OF the Christian
era, " said he. 'It Is evident that we can
not agree as to the day which begins the
nineteenth century or the eighteenth CEN
tury, or any other century except the
first. But we cannot fail to agree as to
the day upon hich the first century be-
gan. Ii began on the first day of the first
month of the year 1. You will admit
that?'
The dentist seemed TO be puzzled. 81
suppose so" he said.
The freckled boy grinned confidently
and shifted the cigar in bis mouth. As
for the veterinary student he was at.
tempting to follow Docs" line of argu-
ment, but he was evidently In great doubt.