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540 DOCTOR KNOW-ALL. |
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He remained standing for a while after he had received his money, and at last asked if he could not also become a doctor.
" Oh, yes," was the reply, "that can easily be managed, if you wish it."
"What must I do ?" asked the peasant.
" You must first buy an A B C book, one in which there is a picture of a farm-yard cock. Secondly, you must turn your waggon and oxen into money, and buy a suit of clothes such as a doctor should wear. Thirdly, have a sign painted and placed over your door with these words, ' I am Doctor Know-all t "
The peasant followed the doctor's advice, and after a while obtained patients, but not many.
About this time a large robbery was committed at the house of a rich nobleman living near the town, who made it known that he would give a handsome reward to any one who would discover the thief, or restore the money.
It was told to this nobleman that a clever doctor, named Doctor Know-all, lived in the town, who would most likely tell him where to find the lost treasure, and who had stolen it. So the nobleman ordered his carriage, and drove into the town. On seeing him he asked him if he were Dr. Know-all, and, on finding that he really was that great person, he invited him to his house, saying that he required his assistance in discovering the thief and the stolen property.
" I am willing to accompany you, my lord," he replied, " if my wife, Gretliel, may go also?"
The nobleman was quite agreeable to this request, and, desiring them to take seats in his carriage, they drove away together.
As soon as they arrived at the house, dinner was laid, and Doctor Know-all and his wife seated themselves at the table, and the servants waited upon them. When the first servant placed a dish on the table containing some delicacy, the doctor touched his wife with his elbow, and said in a low voice, "Grethel, that is the first."
He only meant the first servant to bring the different courses, as he wished her to notice what a number of servants waited at table in a great lord's house. The man thought, however, that he was speaking of him as the first of the thieves, and, as this was the truth, he was in a dreadful fright, and when he got out into the hall, he |
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