The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1902-05-22

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think of them now, sir, they almost
'drive-ah, beg your pardon-the
probe went in little too hard then
Let me take the napkin to it. There,
the pain will pass away in mo.
ment. Nerves a little sensitive yet!
But the pain here, in this bosom
sir-that amt going to pass away.
ITO continues: The day came, and
80 did she. I had studied how ]
should approach the subject dearest
in the world to me. Some men have
no delicacy. When they seek to win
o woman's love, they 60 to work
by dropping hints, paying compli-
ments, perhaps giving her presents,
striving in every underhanded way
to influence her feelings, and at last
| taking advantage of some time when
she is off her guard to win her con-
sent. don't think such conduct hon
orable or business-like. If I wanted
to sell you set of teeth, would l
go about it by telling you the set
was not worthy of your purchase,
that you had already a perfect set,
or could procure better set from
some other dental emporium-which
you and know would be silly false
hood and an insult to your judg-
ment? OF course not.
Gas I have said, had studied be-
forehand how should press my suit,
delicately, eloquently, as knew how,
but frankly and openly, as I had al
ways done in such cases, am proud
to say.
"But who can foresee even an hour
ahead? When Miss Baker came at
the appointed hour. 2:25 p. M, her
beautiful face was muffled In a hand
kerchief, what was visible Of it be-
ing drawn with anguish. I fastened
to greet her and ask the question
of which my instincts too truly an
ticipated the answer. She had the
toothache. A brief examination con-
firmed the terrible announcement.
1t was the little rift within the lutte,
the flaw in the diamond, the speck
on the ripe fruit. And yet, so
strange is the heart Of man. al
most rejoiced to know that even
that peerless set was subject to
mortal decay. 1t would be hence
forth my melancholy pleasure to be
its and her companion against the
insidious enemy, to guard with the
lance, or more properly, the forceps
of science, the pearly portals of her
beauty.
ITO my unbounded surprise, she
refused all my offers to save the
stricken tooth-it was the second
molar in the left lower jaw, a noble
specimen, barely touched by the frost
of disease. told her how easy
would be the work, how almost pain
less the process, how fatal the mis-
take of removing it. She was in
flexible, deaf to all my prayers, al
most childishly unnerved by the pain
which she was enduring and had al
ready endured.
Il hate it, she said, 'for it has
hurt me, and wish it drawn at
once, do you understand? at once!
Take it ut-and-and-burn it! ]
never want to see or feel it again.
''This, of course, was irrational and
even ridiculous; but when she finally
declared that If I did not obey her
orders she would go to somebody
who would, I simply had to comply.
With what feelings you may imagine.
'.She would not take ether or gas.
She said she was afraid, and that was
enough. I then explained to her the
method Of deadening suffering by
the use of cocaine locally applied.
She seemed pleased with the idea,
and prepared for the painful duty
with such feelings as an artist might
experience if ordered. to destroy the
picture which had cost the labor and
enthusiasm Of years to paint. For I
loved Miss Bakers teeth, every one
Of them, perhaps even more than I
did herself.
''She sat in the chair. where you
now sit, while arranged, with
trembling hands, for the cruel sacri-
fee.
cat last all was ready, Again and
again assuring her that she would
feel no pain, I applied the cocaine,
adjured her to be composed and con-
fident, and with desperate resolve
picked up the forceps.
"But when the moment came I
simply could not do it. I gazed at the
doomed molar, and never before had
seen a. tooth which seemed to plead
in such dumb eloquence for its life.
could not go on.
.Flinging away the cruel weapon,
I fell on my knees beside the chair,
and in an uncomfortable burst of
passion pleaded for the tooth and for
myself. ! told the whole story of
my love. I,spoke of the strength and
purity and beauty of the molar. In
my excitement it is possible that !
COMPOUNDED professional instinct with
personal devotion. I was no longer
master of my words or thoughts.
must have been eloquent, for at last
saw that she was moved. She shook
with suppressed emotion, and smiled
on me for the first time since she
had entered the office.
".You are very kind, Dr.. Tucker,
she said, but all that you say is use.
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