Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-23
ONE LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

It seems that dentists sometimes nave opportunities in the way of col lect1ng delinquent bills that are not ac- corded followers Of other vocal ti0rls. An enterprising young dentist within view Of Grand Circus park resorted. the other day. to a method of enforcing col iect1on that was almost as barbarol1s as the one used by wicked King John, who imprisoned a rich Jew and pulled one of his teeth each day until he con- sented to pay a large sum of money.
 lady of wealth and fashion had some bridge work done by this young dentist, and, taking advantage of his youth and good nature, refused to pay the bill. She even dared him to make any trouble and disdainfnlly ignored the little modest dun that found it's way to her breakfast table each month
 One evening the dentist met the lady at social gathering, and she prepared to snllb him, but he beamed so grace fully she was compelled to be civil, and they soon became engrossed in conyer- sation. He called attention to her bridge work and said that he was proud of the job he had done. It was worth several hundred dollars to him as an advertisement. he said, but he added that he believed he could im- prove upon it. If she could come to his office next day he would fix 1t over for her without additional charge, he said. The lady with the false teeth was not slow about biting-to use a figure of speech that seems an appro priate one in connection with dental work-and next day found her in the dentists chair to have the bridge im- proved
 A few wrenches and jerks. series Of snothered .yells and a pair of feet cutting the air like the prongs of a tuning fork, and the bridge was ere- moved from her molItht Before the victim had time to straighten her face he poked small mirror before it and asked her what she thought of herself She didn't look very prepossessing with her front teeth gone and two big tusks projecting from the sides of her mouth in hippopotamus fashion.
 'sOh, for mercy's sake. put 1t back, Don't experiment any more! T-e bridge was good enough as 1t was. ]" Thus she protested. covering her eyes with her kerchief.
 That bridge will never be replaced until you pay me every cent you owe HO. SdlOs NCutlsL ScNCICly
 When the woman awakened to the fact that she had been duped, she scolded. threatened and cried. but the dentist remained inexorable. She promised to pay him later if he would finish the job. but the wretch only sneered at her, apparently reioiced to feel that it was his turn to make meTTy
 'Very well. sir" she bIazed away, after entreating and scolding until she was exhausted. 'sI'l1 go to some other dentist at once; there are others besides you ''
 No matter where you go madam. I shall follow you with the fidelity of an Irish setter and tell the dentist what kind of a deadbeat you are Besides. there Is no dentist in Detroit who m derstands your mouth as I do. Come, now, I have other patients, and if you do not sugar down at once shall have to send you out without your teeth"
 She gave hysterical gulp that might have meant the suppression of intense anger or the rise of her better Judgment and, without asking how much the bill was that she owed, she opened her purse and paid it to the very cent.
 The bridge was again put in, and after it was in position the woman seemed to forget her previous suffer ings. With sweet smile she said as she swept away, Really, doctor, I am glad I paid the bill After all. hon. esty Is the best policy