The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-06

toned at this point
that someens Dhphatic may conf
dently be expected to happen when
doctors score against humanity reaches
such a high figure that he shunS the
haunts Of man through fear Of fractur-
ing some innocent skull just to expert
enee the pleasurable pride of patching
it up again.
-"
Jimmy Bockerty sat in the Imperial
Third Avenue Beer Palace, blandly
philosophical. His legs were graceful
ly crossed. One arm was thrown over
the back Of his chair. With his other
hand he lovingly and rehectively car
essed his flowing beard.
Occasionally Jimmy referred to
paper in his hand. He read with close
interest fully detailed account of a
newly discovered malady with which
royal parsonage had been afflicted. At
these times Jimmy's face became suf-
fused with smile Of elish roguish-
ness. At length he gave well-sus-
tanned chuckle OF finality and picked
up his hat.
There's easy money and bed and
board in this thing" said he, "and l
think that young DR.. Beebe is the
man for the trick"
Now Jimmy had always been proud
of his ingenuity, but he really SUI
Prised himself at the fluency Of his
pantomime as he described his symp-
toms to Beebc a few minutes later.
Beebe sat there. full flushed with the
dignity Of his first patient, an eager
expression on his face, making copious
notes.
"And I feel a dreadful tightness
here" said Jimmy graphically, "and a
funny drawn feeling here" he con-
tinued.
"Gloriousr' murmured Beebe He
could restrain his rapidly increasing
enthusiasm no longer. "My good man.
said he, do you know what ails you?"
Sure" said Jimmy, comfortably.
Beebe fell back with a puzzled geS-
ture. Jimmy took the paper from his
pocket and pointed out the article that
had interested him in the Beer Palace.
That's what I've got" he an
nounced, proudly tapping the paper.
"Only I've got it in an aggravated
form" He hitched up his chair and
prepared himself for confidential
speech. "Now that disease is rare" he
continued, with a careful modulation
of his voice; lit is likewise mysterious.
Royalty has just had it, and it's bound
to be fashionable" He fixed Beebe
with a benevolent eye. Young man"
said he, do you know that if you
could cure me of this mysterious NAL
ady it would make your reputation?"
"Oh, I can cure YOU" said Beebe,
with all the confidence of single man,
"that is, If You really have it." he con-
tinued, doubtfully.
"Yes, sir, it would make your reputa-
ton" declaimed Jimmy with robust
emphasis. His voice suddenly sank to
whisper, land it will cost you $780,
he added.
Beebe showed Jimmy the door with
labored politeness. "You get out of
here" he footed like foghcrn. Jimmy
looked at him more in sorrow than in
anger.
"By the way, you might leave your
address," said Beebe, carefully avoid
ing .Jimny's eye.
Beebe, it may be remarked. had emu.
lated the foghorn perhaps because be
felt himself drifting. 1t is possible
that it was for the same good reason
that he deemed it wise to throw out
little anchoi' to windward
In the sickroom a porteneous quiet
nreyailed. The blinds were drawn. Al
occasional clink Of medicine bottle
was the only sound that broke the op'
pressive silence. A trained nurse in q
cool blue dress crossed the room. HeI
feet fell silently on the carpeted floor
" the next room consultation was