Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-01-27

he sprdn0 sIp, took hold of the knob and
pulled 1t eTcttcdlV.
II don't doubt It, returned the old
man, stretching himself in the chair.
II sometimes 60 into corner bar to
take drink. and one night met three
men there who claimed to have bad
them. I don't know what they took to
get shet of them. Seems like have
tried every concoction under the sun.
Joe isn't o bit particular about his
Diet
"Joe?" interrupted Lampkin. "Whom
do you mean?
That's my snakes name," ex-
planned the old man, raising a mild
glance Of surprise to the doctor. "You
see. have daughter who keeps con-
pany with a young man, and she didn't
want me to talk snake so much before
him, so I got to calling it Joe, to be
polite, you know. don't see why q
man can't talk about snake if he has
had one as long as have"
DR.. Lampkln burst iuto an impulsive
laugh and then attempted to disguise
it by plunging at once into the case.
He reached up to a shelf and took down
a glass jar containing a snake in alco-
hol. To hypnotize patient he found IL
necessary to first secure his entire con-
fidence.
This" he began, "came from the
stomach Of one Of the wealthiest bank
FRS in New York. removed it without
tho o1,ohtosk dificulfv ~
"Huhr' sneered the old man, his
tone containing tinge Of pride. Joe
can't be compared to that thing. BE is
ten times MS large. He'd have to be
quartered or stretched out like a rubber
gas tube to get through my throat"
1t only seems larger to you because
it is inside Of you," said the doctor,
foundering helplessly. Already he was
beginning to think he had come across
an unmanageable patient.
IF you are going to begin such rot
as that, shan't take drop of your
medicine, the old man blurted out. II
ought to know more about it than you.
Have you ever seen my snake?'
mo-" replied the doctor, avoiding
the contemptuous gaze of his patient.
you've never felt Of it either?"
"Of course not
"Well, don't talk to me about what
you are as ignorant Of as q newborn
baby"
DR.. Lampkin opened his lips to speak,
but could think of nothing to say and
remained silent.
The patient grasped the arms Of the
chair and raised himself a few inches.
what sort of medicine are you CO.
ing TO give me? Joe thrives on every
thing in the way Of physic. He seems
to look on it as sort Of dessert. l can
feel him wag his tail with satisfaction
when he gets a dose Of medicine. be-
lieve OH my life if was to take half a
pound of arsenic he'd reach up to the
root Of my. tongue to receive it. ;"
"You must not talk go much" said
Lampkin, red in the face and still con-
fused. II shall not use physio. Ny
treatment is through what is known as
hypnotic suggestion.
"A new one on me, said the pa
tient. II don't know as care to mon
key with it. 1t is something You fell
lows amt quite sure Of and want to try
1t on dog. suppose.
Lampkin stared helplessly for fully a
minute. He looked at his watch and
shrugged his shoulders. He could not
remember ever having had such per-
picking experience. He almost felt as
If the old man were testing with him,
and yet the idea was not tenable when
he met his mild glance and heard his
plaintive voice.
1T won't hurt you Bit" began
Lampkin in tone Of gentle persuasion.
"You see, simply put you to sleep,
and when You awake"-Lampkin was
thinking Of q reptile Of more magnifi-