The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-07
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.
A Report Of a Conversation as to When
1t Really Will Begin.
Chicago Record.)

Say. when does the twentieth CEN
tury begin?" asked the frcckled boy.
who was tipped back against the wall
smoking n long cigar.
The dentist. the veterinary student,
and DOC" Horne looked up when the
question was asked. and then glanced
at one another inquiringly.
Don't you know" asked the dent
list.
NO, heard two fellows arguin' about
1t. 1 wonder which was right?"
ut begins in three years now" said
the dentist. 1T begins in 1900"
What day in 1902"
why, the first day, of course-the
LIST Of January"
That's what one of the fellow said
that was maxim the talk"
We'll. it's right, int it?"
Il don't know, I just asked"
i don't see how there could he any
question about it, said the dentist.
"Do you7"
We'll, have figured. Of course. that
the twentieth century will begin i'm 1900
That's the year OF the French expo-
sition. isn't it?"
'',phe twentieth century begins MS soon
as we start TO use 1900. instead of $780,"
said the student
That's It," said the dentist.
We'll I'd like to chance little some
thing that you're wrong" said the
freckled hoy. I'm not positive, but
I'm willing to risk q little money that
you're both wrong"
rs 1t n trick?" asked the dentist.
Trick? Certainly not. just ask you
the question. When does the twentieth
century begin-what day?' You say it's
January 1st, 1900. Well, 7 offer to bet
small amount that ycu're wrong"
I don't see why I'm wrong"
Well If you're so sure, why don't
You bet?"
IT'S the nineteenth century I'D to
midnight of December 31st, 1899, and
then at midnight we begin to count
another hundred and change our first
two figures from 49, to 10. AS soon
as we 'begin counting on 80 then
were in the twentieth century, ain't
WEI"
That's what you say, but you won't
bet"
IN bet you n dollar am right"
Make it two"
TIL take the other dollar" said The
veterinary student, eXcitedly.
The freckled boy searched his pock-
cts and brought out a silver dollar. three
quarters. two dimes and a nickel. The
dentist produced two half dollars. and
gave them - the student in exchange
for q 50 bill
You hold the money, Doc" said
the dentist, handing him the bill. Now,
who will you leave it top"
IN leave il to Doc here, If he'll
take five minutes to figure on it," said
the freckled 10y. dropping his coins
into Docs hand.
I'm willing said the dentist with
smile of confidence.
IFS hardly fat ,I,oI
SAD DOC L have already expressed
an opinion"
on needn't decide the bet till you've
had time to think over the business"
said the, frcckled boy. Then ,,1,,'l find
that the twentieth century begins or
January 1st. 1901"
Yes, he WILL said the dentist do
risively VIC
Certainly, he will What's roin, To
tury?" cen
''Why, 1890"
rs that so? say It's 1900"
How do You make that out?"
> pose You start to count a b,,n-
nred. Are YOU through when you've
counted nincty-ninc, huh?"
On, that's not the same al all Horror"
me dentist went to a writing table and
PICKED up piece of paper. He drew ~
me and made rough cross marks on
II. suppose we wan. to count m io
Il hundred. by years. At the end Of 9S
we come TO 81. and at the end OF 90 we
rouhd OIL leo and start in with a new
count"
NO, no." said doc" Horne, frown-
ing heavily and looking at the floor.
me question is somewhat puzzlinE at
nrst. but I'm inclined to think that
your young friend Is right"
STOP a minute and think. Doc, :"
said the dentist earnestly. Hes irving
TO count 10l years for every century,"
Doc reached for the paper and be-
gan TO make some diagrams on his own
account.
New, gentlemen, the simple method
by which to arrive at a conclusion 10
TO go back SO the day which begins
the nineteenth century or the eigh-
teenth century, or any other century ex-