then, and
groaned lamentably. The dog walked in at the back door and dropped on
the bag again.

Joe came in to say that "Two coves out there wants somethink."

Dad paid no attention.

The two "coves"--a pressman, in new leggings, and Canty, the
storekeeper--came in. Mother brought a light. Dad moaned, but did n't
look up.

"Well, Mr. Rudd," the pressman commenced (he was young and
fresh-looking), "I'm from the (something-or-other) office.
I'm--er--after information about the crops round here. I
suppose--er----"

"Oh-h-h!" Dad groaned, opening his mouth over the fire, and pressing
the tooth hard with his thumb.

The pressman stared at him for awhile; then grinned at the storekeeper,
and made a derisive face at Dad's back. Then--"What have you got in
this season, Mr. Rudd? Wheat?"

"I don't know....Oh-h--it's awful!"

Another silence.

"Did n't think toothache so bad as THAT," said the man of news, airily,
addressing Mother. "Never had it much myself, you see!"

He looked at Dad again; then winked slyly at Canty, and said to Dad, in
an altered tone: "Whisky's a good thing for it, old man, if you've got
any."

Nothing but a groan came from Dad, but Mother shook her head sadly in
the negative.

"Any oil of tar?"

Mother brightened up. "There's a little oil in the house," she said,
"but I don't know if we've any tar. Is there, Joe--in that old drum?"

"Nurh."

The Press looked out the window. Dad commenced to butcher his gums
with the pocket-knife, and threatened to put the fire out with blood
and saliva.

"Let's have a look at the tooth, old man," the pressman said,
approaching Dad.

Dad submitted.

"Pooh!--I'll take that out in one act!"...To Joe--"Got a good strong
piece of string?"

Joe could n't find a piece of string, but produced a kangaroo-tail
sinew that had been tied round a calf's neck.

The pressman was enthusiastic. He buzzed about and talked dentistry in
a most learned manner. Then he had another squint at Dad's tooth.

"Sit on the floor here," he said, "and I won't be a second. You'll
feel next to no pain."

Dad complied like a lamb.

"Hold the light down here, missis--a little lower. You gentlemen" (to
Canty and Dave) "look after his legs and arms. Now, let your head come
back--right back, and open your mouth--wide as you can." Dad obeyed,
groaning the whole time. It was a bottom-tooth, and the dentist stood
behind Dad and bent over him to fasten the sine