An Inauspicious Start.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 16, 17 February 1894, Page 11

An Inauspicious Start.

The man, whoever he was, who coined the epithet “pink of propriety” must have known our family physician, Dr. Curtiss. Fastidious and dainty in externals, he is no less so in all that pertains to the real man. More fallible people look on him as a stranger to human mistakes and foibles, and some who respect his skill fear to expose to him their weaknesses of body and soul. Imagine, then, the relish with which a mischance of his is enjoyed. The other morning, after a particularly hard night, Dr. Curtiss was roused very early by repeated calls from his telephone. Everybody knows the innate maliciousness of telephones, especially at seasons when “Central” is sleepy or has important business on hand. This time the instrument exhibited total depravity, and it was only after a prolonged series of vain efforts that the doctor succeeded in communicating with bis patients. When, therefore, he came down to breakfast, his overtaxed nerves were still tingling, but ho controlled himself, and sitting down in his place bowed his head to ask the customary blessing. An exclamation of horror from bis wife cut short the petition. He had begun the solemn and devout formula with “Hello!’ 1