Calling the Doctor.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 218, 15 September 1888, Page 3 (Supplement)

Calling the Doctor.

TjiE other morning, as a belated member of the Owl Club was steering hbni§ at Z a.m;^ lie passed a bouse where : resided a wellknown physician. : The vestibule'; of this residence was open, and on its side, in order that he might make inquiries; from anyone who disturbed him, the doctor had placed the mouth of a speaking tube, which was the inscription,' Wbistle for Dr. Potts-' Not wishing to be disobliging ahout so small a matter* the Owl stumbled up the steps, and steadying'hJnikielf agpnst the v^l|;r.b|Qw..:;\into.:.;^hß;.vjMpß. with all the strength of his lungs! The' physician, -who wais awakened 'by the resultant shrill whistle near his Head, arose, and, groped bis way to the tube and shouted ' Well?'v 'Glad to know you're well,'was the reply,1' but being a doctor, I s'pose you can keep well at cost price,.<?%n'J> you ?' ' Wnab do you want ?'' said' the man of pills, not caring to joke hi the ;airy npthing of bis nightshirt; *WeH/ 'said the party at the other end of the tube, after a few moments' meditation. < Oh, by the way, are you young1 Potto or old Potts ?' 'I am Dr. Potts — therelibno young Potts.' 'Not dead, I hope?' 'There nbver was any—l have no Bori; ♦ Then ypu are young Potts and'pld Potts, too. Dear, dear, how singular!';',' '*. Wh§t $o'ybu want?' snapped the doctor.; *Do you know old Mrs Peayine, who lives in the nejcti street?' ' Yes. is ehe ilj? ghat's tjiej matter?' 'Do yon know her nephew,'.too—l Bill Briggs?' 'Yes. Well?' 'Well,, hej went out shotting: thisr morning,and—'l 'And he had an accident ? .Stop a minute, apd I'll be down.'{'No. he's affright; but \ he made a good bag. I thougbtyog might like to hear it.' And the joker hung qp. to the mouthpiece, arid laughed like a hyena. 'I sayi'"Came down from the exasperated M.D.," * that's a jolly good joke, my friend. Won't you take sometning?,?Wbatf said the surprised humorist*; pausing for breath, ' Whjr, tjake something, : £alse this.' And before the disgusted funny ■;. man could withdraw his mouth, a hastily-compounded mixture of ink, ipecacuanha arid assafoetida Squirted from the! pipe, ?ind deluged him from jhead to foot, about a pint m<Jridp6ll-; sing his shirt front and collar. u'jflLnd while! he daqced frantically about sponging himself with; his handkerchief andpaging like; a pirate1 in the la^t act), he could hear a voice from above 's^reejbly. murmur:'. Have spme^mjore,?:. .No? Well, good night;. Come again-soon, you funriy dogj yon.''