WHICH WAS RIGHT ?

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11738, 3 February 1900, Page 3 (Supplement)

WHICH WAS RIGHT ?

A doctor summoned a man to court in the hope of foicing tbe collection of a bill dne for attendance on tbe man's wife. The i{ medico" proved his case, and was about to retire 'triumphant, when the defendant humbJy begged leave to ask him a few questions. Permission was a;rante<s, and the following tiia'opuo took placß :—: — Defendant': " Doctor, you remember when I called on yon ?" Doctor : " L do." Defendant : " What did I say ?" Doctor : " Yon said your wife was ill, and you wished me to go aud see her." Defendant : " What did yon say ?" Doctor : " I said I would if you would pay me my fee." Defendant : "'"What did I say?" Doctor : " Yon said you would pay the fee, if so be you knew what it was." Defendant : " What did you say ?" Doctor : £l f said 1 would take five shillings at firef, and maybe more at I the end, according to the illness." Defendant : " Now, doctor, by virtue of your oath, didn't'l say, 'Kill or cure, doctor, I will give you a fiver ?' And didn't you say, 'Kill or cure, I will take is V " Doctor: " You did, and I agreed to tbe bargain." Defendant : " Now, doctor, by virtue of your oath, answer this : " Did you cum my wife ? ' Doctor: "No; she is dead — you know that.'' Defendant : " Then, doctor, by virtue of your oath, answer this ; Did you kill uij wife ?" Doctor: "No, she mod of her illness." , IJirtemlant (:o rhi; judge) : "Ynur honor, see tin-. You heard him toil our bargain. Jt was to kill, or cure. By virtue of his oath, he has done neithei, and yet. he axes hie fee !"