Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-12-24
When Sham
Became Real
BY ROY BAKER

you've got to be success profess
slonally, my boy, before you can mar
ry my girl. It's all right about your
having plenty of money In your own
name, but three square meals day
isn't everything l ask Of my son-in-
law"
But, Mr.. Jenkins, it's only two
months since I got my license to prac-
tice and have few patients already.
Besides, just know I'm going to make
good. love the work and graduated
at the head of my class, and down In
the slums I've had quite a success"
Kingston ended earnestly.
"All the same, I've said my say.
There's no such great hurry about your
marrying anyway-Claire isn't twenty
one yet you know"
II guess that's flnalP the young man
said as he rose to go.
I'm afraid so, Kingston; neverthe-
less, I'll be glad to welcome you into
the family when you're little fur
Their along"
With heavy heart the doctor left
Jenkins office and turned his car to-
ward his home, for he knew Claire
would be there anxiously waiting for
him, as they had planned this inter
view with the father as last resort.
Kingston thought with bitterness what
a failure 1t had been and how little
hope he had to give.
"Never mind, Frank" she consoled,
after she had heard the worst, 'we'll
do something to bring dad around
somehow"
"But whatT the man asked desper-
ately. 1--WE done my level best and
I can't think Of another thing to try"
LET me do some thinking" said
Claire, puckering her pretty white
forehead with the effort. dad told
me the other day he was going to
drop in on you from time to time. If
we could only get a good showing Of
patients for that psychological mo-
ment !"
Eyes, IT," he answered listlessly.
but howT
II don't know. Let me see, l feel
as If had an idea coming"
"If that's the case, honey, I'd better
get out and give you chance to con-
centrate"
"AIl right and I'll ring you If any
thing occurs to me-"
AS Doctor Kingston reached his Of
fee he heard the telephone ringing
and his heart leaped with joy at the
prospect Of a professional call. He
took up the receiver and, said "Hello |"
in his most business-like tone. 1t was.
Claire.
Frank, I've got an idea. Do come
over and let me tell you about It,"
"Be there in n jlffy," he said as he
hung up the receiver and dashed for
the door, and few minutes later he
had reached the jenkins home.
"Tell me, Claire, quick for goodness
sakep
"Slt down, dear" she said, enjoying
the moment. you're too excited"
"All right. Now shoot"
"Well, from what learned in psy-
chology human beings are monkeys,
sheep; in word, imitators."
Eyes, yes, but what's that got to do
with itT
"Wait minute, now. To go on,
you were awfully popular In your
class. Now, If you had lot Of pa
tients you'd have lot more, because
people are like sheep and they always
flock to a popular doctor"
'But how to get Them" he groaned.
'In the next place, you were pop
ular at school and your college mates
would do anything on earth for you"
"Surel Do put the puzzle together
now"
every well. Suppose you went out
to the school, took your best friends
into your confidence, told them how
determined dad is and then made
speech something like this" Claire
rose and addressed an imaginary au-
dlence:
"Frlends, knowing the situation, II Is
obvious to you that must have my
reception room filled with patients,
sham, bogus or real, so that dad-in-
law-to-be will be impressed. Now, II
there are any students here who would
like to drop into my Office while up
town they will be comforting a great
favor and In return Will receive so
cents for all young men, all men over
forty 81, and all women students rs
cents an hour"
Claire sat down, breathless and red
checked.
81 wonder" he exclaimed, rubbing
his chin. you know, believe that
might work, and the more I think Of
It the better 1t sounds"
"Do let's try It, anyway, Frank" she
begged.
"Fd try anything on earth, honey.
And lots Of those students would be
blessed glad to make the money, I
know. I'll start the ball rolling to-
night"
Two weeks later Mr.. jenkins decid-
ed he'd drop in on his prospective
son-ln-law and see how things were
getting along. AS he glanced quickly
around the reception room he was sur
prlsed to see six men and one woman
sitting around anxlously awaiting
their turn. A moment later Doctor
Kingston opened the door of the inner
Office and ushered patient out.
Next" he said In his most profess
slonal tones; then his eye caught sight
of Mr. jenkins, apparently for the
first time.
"Why, how are you, Mr.. Jenklnsr
he smiled going over to greet him.
"I'll be able to see you in Just a min