The Prescott daily news., 1913-08-22
AN EYE TO BUSINESS
By WALTER PULITZER.

III lne parlOr WlndOW or small, unpretentious house, situated on an East side street of Manhattan. there appears sign, which proclaims the occupant to be a Doctor Skinner, Eye Specialist"
 There fell a morning-one imme- d1ately succeeding the night of a political association ball-on which the modest waiting-room of Doctor Skinner was crowded more than usual; for be 1t known the doctor" s slngularly adept in the treatment. or liking up." of black eyes. One of those in line was an undersized, ragged fellow, past middle age. Over one eye was tightly bound huge handkerchief of screaming red, which, when his turn came. he re- moved to show Skinner an optic glassy and lusterless and consider able shot with blood.
 The East side expert, however, in view of the lowly, unmoneyed ap- pearance of the patient. and the other probably better paying ones in waiting, gave the injured eye but superficial glance and the owner small bottle of Doctor Skinner's Magic Fluid"-for which he col- lected 50 cents-and. with su- perior air, bowed the man to the door.
 A week perhaps had elapsed when one morning the little man, more ragged than ever, again made his appearance at the great doctors off, fee, complaining that the eye was no better and vociferously demand ing stronger medicine Skinner without much ado, quickly com pounded a preparation, which he ex- plained he was sometimes forced to use in obstinate cases," and this time collecting dollar, bowed the importunate caller out as before. The next morning came violent ring at the doctors bell.
 A grinning colored bay answering 1t admitted no other than the de- | jected-looking visitor of the two pre- vious occasions, but accompanied this time by an elderly, well-dressed man who quietly but firmly demanded to see Dr. Skinner at once. There was something In the aspect of the men which boded no good for the eye l specialist. The little mans face, or that part of 1t not hidden from view | by the huge flaming handkerchief, was a veritable study of suppressed rage. The doctor soon sallied forth from his inner office. Noting that his call CTS were standing, he said in his blunt ly polite way: "Sit down, sit down" Thanks, we'll stand" said the el. 1 derly man. Then he asked sharply: You're Dr. Skinner, ain't you?" That's my name, but" And you know this man here, don't you?" indicating the former patient. | You treated him for an affection of | the eye, didn't you?" asked the inquis- | itor.
 Well, yes suppose did-but, say. ! who the deuce are you? T." Drawing a card from his pocket, he who read the words, Leo Van Slike. | Attorney-at-LaW.
 'I don't understand" began the doc tor, nervously fumbling the card.
 Don't suppose you do," replied Van Slike. However, I'll tell you. My client here (this was said in a very lordly tone) is about to sue you for l $5,000, that's all!"
 Sue me-" cried the eye specialist in surprised indignation. Why me, pray? What are you driving at, any way?"
 The words were no sooner out of his mouth than the little man tore the handkerchief from his head, and lift ing a sunken eyelid revealed beneath 1t hole-a hideous cavity, half black, half red, where once an eye had been. Burnt out! curse you!" he roared in anguished fury. Burnt out! That's what we're drivin' at."
 "A mighty serious business, should say" commented the lawyer.
 "One moment.' interposed the doc compromise this matter without mo- toriety? I'll give $500. I'm no mil lionaire, MT. Van Slike."
 The lawyer eyed him keenly. You'll have to double that" he said. And I'll give you just one minute to go to your desk and make out a check" His tone was exasperatingly cool.
 There was nothing left for the spe- cialist to do but obey the mandate. and within few minutes the two un- welcome visitors left the place richer by $500.