Year: 1877

There lived in a village not far
from New York city, gentleman, by
name, OF benjamin Top, who thought
there was nothing in his life to equal
a good joke. He owned small
store, and kept almost every article of
domestic and agricultural use, and
was thereby pretty well acquainted
with all the toBnspeople. % they
were likewise acquainted with him.
Mr.. Top had played so many pranks
on the people around him that he
would have made enemies but for his
constant good humor, and his ability
to soothe the parties he had irritated
almost beyond the point Of endur-
ance.


The first of April was Mr.. Tops
especial delight, and that was smart
child who could enter his store on
that day without being made the VIC
tim of some trick; so that from morn
till night on the first day of April his
face was one broad grin, and it hap
pened that all those who sought to
catch him had the joke turned on
themselves.


A few years ago, as the first of
April approached, our merry friend
looked around to see who would be
fitting subject for a joke.


Ct must have first-rate one this
time" said he to himself. "Who
shall it be? Let me think; ah have
it-Dr. IScroggins; yes it shall be him.
What shall I send-a love letter
No, he looks too woe-begone for
that


After considering a while, Top
drew the pen and ink near him and
wrote as fellow


DIR. ScRoGGINs-Dear Sir: Please ca II as
early as possible at Mossrs' s. & b., No.
-, Wall Street. New York, where you will
hear something to your advantage"


Then, folding and directing the
letter, he snapped his fingers with
childish delight.


"I'lI send him on fools errand,"
said he "and have a good laugh at
his expense"


DR.. Scroggins, the subject of this
heartless joke, was bachelor about
forty years of age; he had been living
in the village only six months, and
had thus far gotten a very small
practice; not that he lacked ability;
but he was awkward in his person,
and in his manners not very prepos-
sessing, and being shy and reserved in
his disposition, was but little fitted
to push his way into society. He
seemed to be very poor, for be rent
ed small Office, supplied himself
with the simplest fare, and his lounge
at night acted as his bed.


The first day of April arose bright
and clear, DR.. Scroggins, who was
an early riser, prepared his simple
breakfast, and after partaking of it
and arranging his Office, took his
seat to await expected calls for con-
sultation, or to request his at
tendance on some suffering invalid.
But no such calls were made, and
the doctor sighed heavily under the
pressure of disappointment.


What can hinder my progress i?
I understand my profession" he said i;
in not single instance have I fail
ed to give relief when called to the
bed of suffering. All. me! III only
had myself to care for, l would be
content to live on bread and water
I'LL I could gain the confidence of
the PEOPLE. But you, my poor sister,
who have already drank deeply of
the cup of sorrow, and must have
more added to it. And what can I
do? Nothing!"


The doctor pulled q letter out of
his pocket and read


81 would not trouble you, nv
dear, kind brother" wrote his sister
knowing, as I do, how poor your
prospects are, and how patiently YOU
are trying to wait for practice, did
not want press on me and my child.
If you can spare me little-ever SO
little-it will come as q blessing, TO,
my extremity is very great"
Just at this time the letter carrie,
stopped and handed the doctor a let.
ter; he opened and looked at it in
perfect amazement, then read if over
the second time.


"Something to my advantage
What can it bs?" said he " Dear sis.
ter. should there be anything good
in store for me, how freely will
share it with you and your darling
Emmal Surely the good God hal
heard and answered my prayer"


The doctor, who had little prepare
ton to make, started for the city, aui
Top, who was on the lookout for him
could scarcely hide his exultation Q
sending off an inoffensive man wh,
could barely support himself, on /,
needless errand -of expense ant
trouble.


The doctor, as he wended his wa,
to the city, was SO fully possssse'
with the idea that some old relativ
(for he had several } had died an.
left him q fortune, that he had, j
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