I got rid of 'em, though, for a spell." "Did you; how ?" He rubbed his chin.

"Put up a sign by the front door that said: 'Beware of Leprosy.' That kept 'em away while it lasted." Mrs.Armstrong laughed merrily.

"I should think so," she said.
"But why leprosy, pray ?" "Oh, I was goin' to make it smallpox, but I asked Doctor Parker if there was anything worse than smallpox and he said he cal'lated leprosy was about as bad as any disease goin'.

It worked fine while it lasted, but the Board of Health made me take it down; said there wan't any leprosy on the premises.

I told 'em no, but 'twas a good idea to beware of it anyhow, and I'd put up the sign just on general principles.