112 THE APRIL FOOL.

 

ing to the firm?” asked the doctor, on en-
tering the store of Messrs. L—— & P ;

“Here is Mr. L——,” said the indivi-
dual he had addressed, referring him to a
middle-aged, thoughtful-looking man, with
something prepossessing in his face.

The doctor bowed to Mr. L——, and
then said—

“My name is Dr. Grimes.”

Mr. L—— bowed in return, remarking,
as he did so—

“Will you walk in?”

The doctor was rather disappointed at
the manner of his reception, and expe-
rienced a slight depression of spirits as he
followed the merchant back into one of the
counting-rooms attached to the store.

“Will you take a chair, sir?” said the
merchant. .

Both the gentlemen sat down. About
L—— there was an air of expectancy,
which the doctor did not fail to remark.

“My name is Doctor Grimes,” said he,
repeating his first introduction.