Undue Familiarity.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 246, 16 November 1903, Page 3

Undue Familiarity.

Sir Henry Littlejohn, the Officer of PuDlic Health for Edin&Jui'gh, one day received a letter from a patient in Mormngside Asylum asking him to be good enough to pay him a visit, in the hope that he might be able to' obtain for him his freedom. The inmate based his claims /or the favour of a personal call on the ground (says T.P.'s Weekly) that he and the doctor had been- schoolfellows in the days of long ago. Sir Henry in the course of a long life, had seen many queer incidents, an# received not a few cuilious letters ; so, wishing to ascertain the truth for himself, he eaHec} alt thp by appointment, and wa» shown into a room where his old friend was waiting to receive him. " Ah, doctor, how do you do, how do you do 1" exclaimed the victim of mynUil instability, (is both shook hands. r ihe doctor scanned the face before him, but appeared puzzled, whereupon the other burst out : " What don't you remember me, doctor ? My name is So-and-so." Still no light brok# in upon the mind of Sir Henry, which caused the patient to remark : " You may remember the lad who was nicknamed ' Checvors ' by the boys because he once wore a loud checked suit. Well, I'm he." "Of course I do,' replied Sir Henry, as he instantly recalled his quondam chum, and entered into a cordial conversation with him, during which the latter appeared quite compos mentis. On rising to take leave after an interview which lasted half an hour or so, the doctor affably said, " Well, good-bye, 'Checkers.' " At the' same time he turned to loave the room, when he immediately received a tremendous kick .rom behind which sent him sprawling. On recovering himself and glancing round he saw his old "friend" glaring at hirii, ar.d then heard him shout : " Oheckors I I'll 'Checkers' you if you call me ' Checkers ' again !"