Page:The ransom of Red Chief and other O. Henry stories for boys.djvu/85

Rh five-dollar bill into the hand of a man with a German silver star on his lapel.

Constable,' says I, 'it's a fine night.'

Have you got a city license,' he asks, 'to sell this illegitimate essence of spooju that you flatter by the name of medicine?'

I have not,' says I. 'I didn't know you had a city. If I can find it to-morrow I'll take one out if it's necessary.'

I'll have to close you up till you do,' says the constable.

"I quit selling and went back to the hotel. I was talking to the landlord about it.

Oh, you won't stand no show in Fisher Hill,' says he. 'Doctor Hoskins, the only doctor here, is a brother-in-law of the Mayor, and they won't allow no fake doctor to practice, in town.'

I don't practice medicine,' says I, 'I've got a State peddler's license, and I take out a city one wherever they demand it.'

"I went to the Mayor's office the next morning and they told me he hadn't showed up yet. They didn't know when he'd be down. So Doc Waugh-hoo hunches down again in a hotel chair and lights a jimpson-weed regalia, and waits.