Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-06-07
WITHOUT RE 5ERVE.

of arts, impressive to the villagers. HIS
face bore signs of occasional starvation,
occasional inebriety and long past refine
ment. He stood on the outskirts OF the
market place with table before him and
quite an attentive little crowd gathered
about it. On the table were a spirit
lamp and couple Of test-tubes. a few
bottles containing drugs, bundles OF
herbs neatly tied, a human skull wanting
the lower Jaw, and a large tin box.
He was reaching the practical end OF
pseudo scientific lecture The audience
had been worked up to the proper point.
Men and women looked at one another
nervously; it appeared then that they
were very i'll, though they had never
suspected it. The lecturer had given a
long list CT symptoms. so long and so
varied that everybody there land every
body anywhere else) had got one or more
of them in some degree. He now opened
the large tin and took out a handful of
pill boxes. each one wrapped and sealed.
"Possibly" he said, some of you here
may have noticed in yourself some of
those symptoms that [ have described.
Very likely you thought nothing of them.
You had never been told Well, those
symptoms are the beginning. Mind, it's
no good to get frightened. Fear won't
kill the germs; fear won't arrest the
course of disease. hoid in my hand now
the only thing in the whole world that
can 90 that. 1t is the preparation that
| have described to you, made in a highly
concentrated form. Don't ask the chem
lists for it, for they have not got it and
can't get it. Don't ask your so-called
doctors for it, for they have never even
heard of it. Medical science"--
The crowd gave way a little A keen
eyed, white-haired gentleman drove
good horse down the full street. The
audience resumed it's respectful atten-
ton. The lecturer was by this time
frankly commercial.
L shall Offer he said, twelve of these
boxes at sixpence apiece. After that the
ordinary price Of one shilling will be
charged [ always give the preference to
those who have the sense to make up
their minds quickly. Thank you, madam
Two boxes [ think you said
Two or three others followed in rapid
succession. small boy pucl>ed at his
gown. Patience. my dear young sir.''
said the lecturer L will serve you in
one moment"
Tn not buying anything, sir. l was
told to give you this
Thank YOU my little man." And then
as he took the letter he started percepti-
bly,. 1t was written in pencil on two
leaves of a notebook folded together. and
the name outside was the lecturers own
name, disused for the last ten years. He
glanced hurriedly through it and his face
changed as he read,
in;c
ter" said countryman, proffering his
siXpence. The lecturer was himself again
in d moment. "Thank you sir. One be-
fore meals, you will remember"
He was glib with his patter. He sold
his twelve boxes at sixpence He even
offered an extra five at the same price.
well, say two shillings for the five
then-to any man who cares to keep a
stock Of this valuable drug by him.
Nobody said two shillings. The crowd
was not rich. 1t began to melt away
quickly.
Off came the academic gown and CAP
They were packed into the big tin box,
together with the herbs and the other
properties. He put on his frowsy felt
hat and again read through that let
ter.
So he had been recognized at last: the
writer had heard his voice and seen his
face as he drove past and felt that he
could not be mistaken. 1t was a tact
full letter. 1t said nothing of shameless
and dishonest quackery; it only said that
the writer wanted the lecturing outcast
to come up to his house and talk things
over with him, and recalled old DAYS.
The Outcast remembered the man we'll
an old friend of his college days
wealthy, generous, witness of the
trlumphs of the outcast in the DAYS be-
tore he was an outcast. Here would be
help, comfort, money for a new start in
life.
But what would that old friend think
there would be the disgrace to speak
OF, the term of Imprisonment, the ex-
pulslon from his profession, for it was
evident that the writer had never heard
OF it. There would be the change from
ease to poverty, from comfort to rags,
from reputation and decency to Infamous
sordldness-aH visible in him and excit-
ing pity. Pity-pity from an old friend
who had once looked up to him. His eyes
blazed at the thought.
Beg pardon, SIR said a hesitating
voice.
What the devil do you want?''
I'm the boy that brought that letter.
was to take back an answer to it,
Inc lecturer seemed to recover his ur
banity. Thank you Of couse-Pd for
gotten you. The fact is that there's some
mistake. This letter can't be meant for
me- It's not addressed to my name-my
names Smythe-and I know nothing of
the writer. Why, | was never at Cam
bridge IN my life. Tell him so-tell him
it's all mistake; and look here. my
boy, there's copper for you"
Then he began to take down the Dor
roWed boards and trestIes which had
formed his table. A few minutes later
ne was tramping away from the village.
Barry Pain in Tattler.
New WaShinutnn QaIin Eo-.xa