Year: 1877

There lived in a village not far from
New York City, gentleman, by name
Benjamin Top, who thought there was
nothing in this life equal to a good
joke. He owned small store, and
kept almost every artitlc OF domestic
and agricultural use, and was thereby
pretty well acquainted with all the
towns people, as they were likewise
we'll 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, aud his ability to soothe
the parties he had irritated almost be-
yond the point of endurance.


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 NOR
ming till night of the first day of April
his face was one broad grin, and it
happened that all those who sought to
catch him had the laugh 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 joke.


Il must haye first rate one this
time, said be 10 himself. who shall
it be? Let me think. All. l have it
DIR. Scroggins; yes, it shall be be.
What shall send him--a love letter
No, he looks too woe begone tor that.


After considering a while, Top drew
the pen and ink toward him, and
wrote as follows:


DIR. ScRooGINs Dear Sir:-Please
to call as early as possible at Messrs.
s. -& B, No. Wal, street, n "
York, where you will bear something z
to your advantage


Then folding and directing The let
ter he snapped his fingers in childish
delight.


I'll send him to New York on a
fools errsnd,' said he, 'and have good
laugh at his expense


DIR. Scroggins, the subject of this
heartless joke, was a bachelor about
forty years of age; he had been living
in the village only about six months,
and had thus far gotten very small
practice not that he lacked ability,
but he was awkward in his person,
and in his manner not prepossessing,
and being shy and reserved in his dis
position, was but little fitted to push
his way into society. He seemed to
be very poor, for he rented small Of
iice, supplied himself with the sim
plest fare, and his lounge at nj ght
acted as his bed.


The first of April arose bright and
clear. DR.. Scroggins, who was an
early riser, prepared his simple break
fast. and after partaking of it and ar
ranging his Office, took his seat to
await expected calls for consultation,
or to request his attendance on some
suffering invalid. But no such calls
were made, and the doctor sighed
heavily under the pressure of disap-
pointInent.


tWhat on earth can hinder my pro-
gress? l understand my profession,
he said Sin not single instance hay e
l failed to give relief when called to
the bed of the suffering. All, me! Ii
L had only my self to care for l would
be content to live on bread and water
till l could gain the confidence of the
people. But you, MY poor sister, who
have drank deeply OF the cup OF sor-
row, must have more added to it. And
what can l do. Nothing!


The doctor pulled letter out Of his
pocket and read:


Il would not trouble you, my dear,
kind brother,' wrote his sister, know.
ing as l 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 a blessing, for> my ex-
tremity is very great


just at this time the letter carrier
stopped and handed the doctor letter.
lie opened and looked at it i'm am u,
mcnt, then read it over the second
time.


Something TO my advantage! What
can it be| he said. Dear sister,
should there be any good in store for
me how freely will share it with you
and your darling Emma! Surely the
good God has heard and answered my
prayer


The doctor, who had little prepara-
| ton to make, started for the city. and
Top, who was on the lookout for him
could hardly hide his exuliation at
sending OIL an inofiensivc man who
could barely support himself, on a
needless errand of expense.


The doctor, as he wended his way
TO the city, was SO fully possessed
with the idea that some old relative
(for he had severaD had died aud left
him fortune, that he had in imagin.
alton, made various dispositions OF il
before he arrived at the end. of his
journey.


Can l see one of the gentlemen ol
the firm p asked the doctor, entering
! the store of S. e. b.


L 81,