The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-07-05
AN EYE TO BUSINESS
BY WALTER PULITZER.

appears a sign, which proclaims the
occupant to be Doctor Skinner,
Eye Specialist"
There fell morning-one imme-
diately succeeding the night of q
political association ball-on which
the modest waiting-room Of Doctor
Skinner was crowded more than
usual; for be it known the doctor"
Is singularly adept in the treatment,
or fixing up" Of black eyes. One
Of those in line was an understood,
ragged fellow, past middle age.
Over one eye was tightly bound q
huge handkerchief Of screaming red,
which, when his turn came, he re-
moved to show Skinner an optic
CLASSY 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
a small bottle of Doctor SINNERS
Magic Fluid"-for which he col
lected so cents-and, with SUI
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 Of
fee. complaining that the eye was
no better and vociferously demand
ing a stronger medicine. Skinner
without much ado, quickly COM
pounded a preparation, which he ex-
planned he was sometimes forced to
use in obstinate cases." and this
time collecting a dollar. bowed the
importunate caller out as before.
The next morning came a violent
ring at the doctors bell.
A grinning colored bay answering
it admitted no other than the de-
jected-looking visitor of the two pre-
vious occasions. but accompanied this
time by an elderly, welldressed man
who quietly but firmly demanded to
see DR.. Skinner at once. There was
something in the aspect of the men
which BODIED no good for the eye
specialist. The little mans face, or
that part of it not hidden from view
by the huge flaming handkerchief. was
a veritable study of suppressed rage.
The doctor soon sailed forth from
his inner office. Noting that his call
ers were standing. he said in his blunt
~ polite way: "Sit down, sit down. f."
Thanks, we'll stand" said the ell
derby man. Then he asked sharply:
You're DR.. Skinner, amt you?"
That's my name. but"
"And you know this man here, don't
your" indicating the former patient.
You treated him for an affection of
the eye, didn't you?" asked the inquis-
itor.
"Well, yes I suppose debut. say.
who the deuce are you? /"
Drawing card from his pocket, he
handed it to the astonished Skinner,
who read the words, Leo Van Slike.
Attorney-at-Law."
Il 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 q very
lordly tone) Is about to sue YOU for
$4,000. that's ALL"
Sue me-" cried the eye specialist
in surprised indignation. why me.
pray7 What are you driving at, any.
way?"
H. The words were no sooner out Of his
mouth than the little man tore the
handkerchief from his head. and lift.
Ing q 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. I should
say" commented the lawyer.
zone moment" interposed the doc
tor, excitedly. why shouldn't we
compromise this matter without no
toriety? I'll give $780,. I'm no mil.
lionaire, Mr.. Van Slike."
The lawyer eyed him keenly. You'll
have to double that" he said. And
I'll give you just one minute to 20 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 5000.
Said the astute Van Slike: "Say,
Jim, think the next touch we make
ought to be In some town where
we're not known. Then we'll be able
to sue for twice az much. Ha, ha, hal"
Said the unsuspecting Skinner:
What an idiot | was not to examine
the little monkeys eye when he first
called"
Yet had the great man done go
there would have been no story. The
eye was glass!
| Copyright, 1913 by the Mcclure News.
paper Syndicate.)
/