“Well, Jack,” I interrupted, “I must be going. Much obliged for your contribution to the free silver question. And, by the way, I’m just on my way to a meeting of the county commissioners. I’m slated for the County Hospital Staff.”
“Oh—h—h!” groaned Jack. “Has your ambition for wealth no bounds?”
A day or two later I was driving at a “sent for” gait, down Michigan Avenue, enjoying the evident admiring approbation of the people whom I met, when I saw my friend Jack a short distance ahead of me. He caught sight of me, stopped short and walked out to the curb, where he awaited me with a decidedly pleased expression on his handsome face.
“Hello, doctor!” he cried, as I drove up to him and reined in my horse. “You seem to have a bad case on hand.”
I winked and said, “Never mind the case. Come along with me for a ride. You have nothing else to do at this hour of the day.”
“Don’t care if I do,” replied my friend, stepping into my buggy forthwith.
My rig continued to attract considerable attention, much to Jack’s edification, apparently. He finally said, “Well, doctor, your turn-out does excite the interest of the public, doesn’t it?”
“So I have already informed you,” I replied.
“Now, see here, doctor,” said Jack, “you know that I am your friend. As a friend it is my duty to prevent you from acquiring that fatal pride which ever precedes a fall. I have hesitated to explain your popularity to you, but for your own sake and to preserve my own health, I must do so.”
“Why, what the deuce do you mean?” I asked, in astonishment.