The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-08-11
THE DOCTORS JOKE.
lfEr ny ARMAND srLvEsTRE. ~

Fine ruins, and near them a commonplace
modern house; a great name which poverty
was booming to oblivion. The ancestors Of
NJ. Vent des Roussins had made a noise in
the world; he lived in it quietly, devotinp
to speculative research the leisure of his
middle age.
he criticised the work Of astronomers
chemists and physicians, always hoping to
surpass it. To hat end he had built an OBJ.
servatory, and in the dungeons where mar.
tyrs to feudalism had formerly persisted be
established a laboratory.
Pasteur's experiments had greatly inter-
ested M. Vent des Roussins, who, however,
considered them incomplete and desired
himself to continue the work begun. So
when he heard that a mad dog had been
killed, wishing to obtain a fragment of its
brain to serve as the starting point for a
series Of inoculations, he lost no time in
driving to the apotht cary's shop, where DIR.
Landrimol was to perform an autopsy.
After some hesitation M. Boultesene con-
sented to oblige him and gave M. Vent des
Roussins a sealed bottle containing a lump
OF soft pinkish matter intersected by bloody
threads.
The scientists next move was to visit a
neighboring hutch, where he bought a pref.
ty white rabbit; then, by a happy chance,
meeting an organ grinder, he emptied his
slender purse and got in exchange a little
monkey with long, skinny arms.
Once in his laboratory, M. Vent dos Rous-
sins locked the doors as if preparing to com
nit a crime and put the monkey into a cage.
AS to the rabbit, he first carefully with a
lancet introduced under the skin of it's head
a tiny hit IF Tho dO0fp hra;O 4ko, oOucr1l -
in a somewhat dilapidated box, on the lid of
which he laid a stone.
A fortnight later some guests were Wis.
iting at the chateau-M. and Nine. des En-
grumelles, a newly married couple, and NJ.
Bandrille, a young lawyer.
The dinner was very gay. NJ. Vent des
Roussins displayed unusual animation. He
was, in fact, in the best of spirits, for that
morning had brought a charming surprise
his rabbit had shown what he considered
sure signs of madness. The little creatures
cup Of water was left untouched, and it had
tried to escape from its box.
M. Vent DIES Roussins planned next day
to pass on to the monkey a small portion
Of the rabbits brain, and thought that soon
there would be no more mysteries for him in
an%ti-rsbbic vaccine.
Take a little more of this rabbit stew,
H. Bandrille, said the hostess. do not be
c~eremonious.'
With pleasure, madam" answered the
young lawyer, handing his plate, "for never
in my life have 1 eaten one so delicious"
1T is a DREAM" exclaimed NJ. des En-
grumelles.
Well" cried M. Vent des Roussins,
rather confused by so much enthusiasm,
"just imagine this wonderful animal which
you all think so good did not come from our
own kitchen. 1t is probably a wild rabbit,
and it was caught by the kitchen maid less
than two hours ago. She happened to see it
running and jumping in the grass near the
old dungeons"
M. Vent des Roussins looked uneasy.
Near the d~ungeons?" he asked.
yes, close to one of the air holes opening
into you laboratory"
M. Vent DIES Roussins, pale as death, arose
without saying a word, rushed out of the
diningroom. His worst fears were realized.
The rabbit had escaped without doubt.
Suddenly, as if moved by a spring, he fled
up the narrow stairs.
AT the instant he reentered the dining
room, NJ. des E~ngrumelles was about play.
fully to imprint a kiss upon the rosk cheek
of his bride.
"Repulse himl Repulse him!" shouted
M. Vent des Roussins.
Astonished, they drew apart. Nine. Vent
des Roussins, alarmed at her husbands dis
traeted air, rose to approach him.
DO not come near mel" cried the UNI
happy man. The young lawyer Bandrille in
his turn jumped up.
IF you move You are dead" ex-
claimed his host, drawing a pistol from his
pocket. MY friends" continued the unfor-
tunate man, 1--WE are all mad!"
"Ursule, run for DIR. Landrimol!" shout
ed M. Vent des Roussins at the top of us
lungs. Ursule, the cook, heard him in the
kitchen.
Go quickly, my good girl, we are all
mad!' added M. Veat des Roussins. Ur-
sule, terribly frightened, began by turn
ing the key of the dining-room door on the
snraged party. Then shouting as if the
house was on fire she ran to tine village.
DIR. Landrimol consented to go back with
her, but insisted upon having an armed
escort. All the ~able-bodied inhabitants took
their guns, and the fire brigade brought up
the rear.
When they reached the chateau NJ. Vent
ANAot VI SNo IA a. IiOtiOAl0chs lis
toll in hand, told his tale. As he spoke DR..
Landrimol made significant grimaces, for
the dog on which he performed the autopsy
had undoubtedly had ~hydrophobia.
But when M. Vent des Roussins conciud-
ed, a peal of laughter broke the silence.
Everyone turned around. The apothecary,
Boulteselle, convulsed with mirth, was
holding his sides.
20, you may be quite easy, NJ. Vent DIES
Roussins. l played-Heaven forgive me-
a little joke on you and the bit of brain you
carried off came from my breakfast table.
Had you examined it more closely you might
have seen that ID had been cooked"
Nj. Vent des Roussins-but no matter
never-never-will he forgive the apothe-
cary Boulteselle for having prevented him
from completing Pasteur's discoveries
xeg
Mr.. Meek's Cat Was "a Tom.
Everybody could see he was peculiar the
moment he sat down for his first meal at
the clearinghouse near the Herald
suuare the other dav and M ono made any