Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1910-02-12
THE OTHER
WAY ABOUT

splendid condition of his teeth and
the fact that he had never passed a
minute in a dentists chair except upon
occasions when his molars were pro.
fessionally cleaned and polished, II
was with an air of bored federation
that he accompanied his wife to the
dentists office for one of the frequent
examinations of her teeth
81 suppose he'll find something new
the matter with them" suggested Pill.
kins, with a grin, as they entered the
elevator in the big office building
That's his business, you know. You've
cost me a small fortune in gold and
bridge work and amalgam and one
thing and another in the last few
years, and it's a cinch this doctor of
yours isn't going to let go of a good
thing"
Don't be absurd" said Mrs. Pill
kins. Everything he has done for
me has been absolutely necessary. If
you begrudge the few dollars 1t has
cost to keep your wife's teeth in good
condition you ought to be ashamed of
yourself"
Pilkins, properly squelched, fol-
lowed his indignant better half into
the waiting room of the dentists Of
fee. and examined last years maga-
zines with idle interest during the few
minutes the dentist consumed in scru-
tinizing Mrs. Pilkins teeth and declar-
ing them safe and sound When she
rejoined him the dentist was at her
elbow
You'd better get into the chair and
let the doctor lock over your teeth,
Tom," she suggested. "One never
can tell when ones teeth require at
tention.
Pilkins laughed the suggestion to
scorn. "Ah, my teeth are all right"
he insisted. Il never had toothache
in my life. There's no need of my
taking up the doctors time"
1T won't do any HARM" advised the
dentist. "As Mrs. Pilkins says, one
never can tell"
Go ahead. Toni" commanded his
wife. Don't be silly. That's one rea-
son l wanted you to come with me to-
should have your teeth examined
You're always boasting about your
good teeth-maybe they're not as good
as you think"
The sporting instinct in Pilkins was
aroused by his wifes covert challenge.
He arose and strode to the chair.
"All right, doctor!" he exclaimed.
N oh har A,k
ting on the teeth, though"
The dentist jabbed his little mirror
into Pilkins' mouth and made a care
full survey, Then he shook his head
dismally.
I'm afraid we can't do anything for
you he announced You ought to
be ashamed to go around with such
ca good set of teeth. How do you ex-
pect us dentists to make a living?"
Pilkins rose up and bestowed a su-
perior smile upon his wife while the
dentist was walking around the
chair to attack the grinders on the
other side.
What did I tell you?" he asked
with a note of triumph. Il guess you'll
have to keep on piling up the dentists
bills in our family"
Then he laid his head back in the
cushion to give the dentist another
treat, win1ing cOvertly at Mrs. Pilkins
In his self-satis1ed glee
mo, they're just as good as new"
announced the dentist, peering into
the mirror. Il don't see how we can
do any business - hold on, Aha!
a little cavity in an upper tooth-yes,
sir, sure as you're alive!'
"A cavity!" yelled Pilkins, rising up
in wrath. What are you talking
about?"
Come here, Mrs. Pilkins, and take
a look" urged the dentist. See?
Right there-see it?"
"Oh, yes, there is, Toni" exclaimed
his wife You'll have to have that
attended to at once! Isn't it lucky we
discovered it?1
The dentist pulled his little mirror
away and whipped out his engage
ment book while Pilkins left the chair
in dense gloom.
When shall l put you down for?"
asked the dentist Tuesday morning
at ten? All right sir. 1t won't hurt"
he added, after a glance at Pilkins'
lowering face.
what if it does?7 demanded the
victim. It's got TO be done, anyhow,
hasn't it?'
When they We're alone in the hall
way Pilkins turned to his wife indie.
nantly.
We'll, | suppose you're tickled 10
death with your days work." he
snapped Il knew that fellow would
find something out Of whack before be
got through"
A Rose-Colored Statement.
Miss Jane Addams. the head of the
Hull house said at a luncheon at the