“‘O, let me see. That came out of a colored man—awful appetite, madam.’
“‘Du tell! Well, I’m much obleeged to you for showing them to me. Now I’ll go right home, and pitch into them doctors. I knowed they’re all wrong.’ And so saying, the old lady arose, buzzed round and round like a bee in a bottle, got her reticule, and started for the door.
“‘O, I forgot,’ she exclaimed, coming back. ‘Give me some of the medicine to get this animal out of my system, doctor.’
“I gave her a quantity of gentian, told her to use no snuff for two months, and she would have no further trouble with the animal; that she must not expect to see him, as they seldom came away whole, like those in the bottle. She promised, with a sigh, and a sorry look at the snuff-box, and went away. I have no doubt but I did the best thing possible for her case.”
Stories about Little Folks.
As ludicrous as the above may seem, it is true; but we cannot vouch for the truth of the following story:—
The Boy with a Bullet in him.—A lad swallowed a small bullet. His friends were very much alarmed about it; and his father thinking no pains should be spared to save his darling boy’s life, sent post haste to a surgeon of skill, directing the messenger to tell the circumstances and urge his coming without delay. The doctor was found, heard the dismal tale, and with as much unconcern as he would manifest in a case of common headache, wrote the following laconic reply:—
Sir: Don’t alarm yourself. If after three weeks the bullet is not removed, give the boy a charge of powder.
Yours, &c., ——
P. S. Do not aim the boy at anybody.—M. D.