true pneumonia could hardly be expected in four days, you will find that he has been prepared for you, feeling that Dr. X. has used some potent remedy as yet unknown to you and his less skillful brethren, and firmly convinced that your suspicions of his case are based upon your ignorance or your jealousy of poor Dr. X., who was not there to defend himself, who had always spoken so kindly of you, and had uttered nothing worse than the harmless little conjunction "but"---- A little bragging is not a sin, and indeed is usually harmless, and in the long run reacts on the miracle worker. But the ethical man does frequently suffer from it, and it is a fact, absurd as it may seem, that the average man or woman would much prefer to be considered at death's door about three-fifths of the time--indeed, almost a walking Lazarus--than to be deemed the picture and personification of vigorous health. Dr. X. knows this, and plays upon the credulity of his patients. He frightens them to death's door, works a miracle, and has tied them to himself forever. We all have suffered from this, and will continue to do so until the little grain of truth has grown from the tiny mustard seed to the vigorous bush. Dr. X., with his faults, has his virtues. He aspires to be the busiest man, the richest man, the most popular man in his community. All of these ambitions, if properly guided, are laudable, and, indeed, while enhancing his power and prestige, may be redounding to the good of his people, for a man to be the busiest and most popular man in his profession must usually be the best posted, the most highly educated, the hardest working man, not only for himself, but for those he serves. So, while we may smile at Dr. X. and his big ways, we may love him for his virtues and forgive his small faults.