Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-02
A PRACTICAL ECONOMIST.
He Knew How to Get Something for
Nothing.

He WAS Il tsll. lanky-looking chap,
Of GOOD nature about him which
causol cvea the dogs on the street to
wag their tails amiably as he passed
along :.e highway. He looked healthy
enough, Tut none the less he lounged
into the doctors office. shutting his
feet over the carpet as he walked. and
took his place meelily among the rest.
The pa" was only half full when he
arrived. and consequently there We're
arm' hairs left unoccupied. CHANGING
casually about him. he finally selected
one of these over by the window,
where the light was good. and, after
running over the magazines lying on
TIE table. ne chose one that seemed to
please his fancy, and settled down,
spra Wing backward in the capacious
depths of his chair. The cases pre-
ccdinS his were apparently OF a nature
sufficiently intricate to keep the doc
tor bus" for an hour or more, during
which time a dozen other patients ar
rived and got in line. Finally. after
he had read two of the magazines
through. and had tackled third. his
turn came.
If you Will step this way. sir" said
the doctor.
That's all right. Doctor" he smiled
amiably from the comfortable depths
OF his chair. Pm in no p'ticular hur-
ry, sir. Let these others go in ahead
of ne. MY case amt so ALFRED
pressin I can't wait, and maybe some
of these others are in hurry"
ITS very good of YOU, sir" began
one Of the ladies. II am in a hurry, I
live off in the country, and if | can |
should very much like to catch the
noon train back"
"Gon't mention it, madam" said the
stranger politely. Il know what it is
to be pressed Tor time myself Go
aheau, and all the rest of YOU. too
Iii wait for the tail-end OF the process
sion"
He settled back in his chair and
plunged deeply into the absorbing
complications of a fresh short-story
the which he kept at until he finally
found himself the sole remaining pa
tlent in the room. AS the last patient
but himself disappeared into the doc
tors sanctum. he stretched his limbs
until ali his joints cracked, yawned
like man awakening from a long
nap. ard replacing the magazine he
had been reading on the table. put on
his hat and left the house.
Its Il derned good scheme" he
muttered smilingly to himself as he
sauntered slowly up the street. Il
have had \ nice quiet morning in
nice homelike room. lying off on Il
nice armchair. takin my pick of the
best periodicals of the country [
guess as long as these here doctors
offices hold out ! can get along on a
dollar room somewhere, and not go
squanderir' my spare cash on any eX-
pensive private DRAWN rooms or
current literatoor''
WhereupCE he entered Delsherrico's
care, and ordered a heavy luncheon
and after having eaten four roll and
all the butter in sight, departed from
the restaurant before the waiter had
returned with his first course Once
outside. he boarded south bound
Fifth Avenue stage and rode six
blocks before informing the conductor
that he wished to be let off at Central
Park.
You "aat the up-stagc." said the
conductor, with :; froUn
"oh, ne answered. rising hurradlv.
Isn't this the ur-stage?"
1T is not retortnd the conductor
ringing the signal to stop.
My mistake" said ~ amably. II
guess l'd better get off"
AnC he G:u.
am; :" all-fircd expensive. liv-
IN ~ New York, after all. if you know
nov l" work it. he chlIcl,leI to him
sell =" =" boarded a cross town car
'if't y" knew was going in the wronp
olreclo:', Edt WoulG none the less land
ilin not far from the dollar room ha
III" IN ms '1in.l before he or tho can
ou't"f SHOULD discover his mistake
Llpplnoott'S Magazine.