The local doctor was called to the house of the Senior Deacon whose wife was seriously ill.
"Please doctor, save her," cried the Deacon.
"I'll pay anything, even if I have to sell everything I own."
"But what if I can't save her?" asked the doctor shrewdly.
"I'll pay you whether you cure her or kill her!" cried the Deacon.
A week later the poor woman died. The doctor sent the Deacon a huge bill.
The Deacon suggested they went to the Grand Lodge and let the Grand Secretary arbitrate and they would both be bound by the decision.
This was agreed.
The Grand Secretary who knew the doctors reputation asked, "What was the agreement?"
"He agreed to pay me for treating his wife weather I cured her or killed her"
"And did you cure her?"
"No."
"Did you kill her?"
"Certainly not!" replied the doctor.
Said the Grand Secretary, "Under what contract are you claiming your fees?
"Please doctor, save her," cried the Deacon.
"I'll pay anything, even if I have to sell everything I own."
"But what if I can't save her?" asked the doctor shrewdly.
"I'll pay you whether you cure her or kill her!" cried the Deacon.
A week later the poor woman died. The doctor sent the Deacon a huge bill.
The Deacon suggested they went to the Grand Lodge and let the Grand Secretary arbitrate and they would both be bound by the decision.
This was agreed.
The Grand Secretary who knew the doctors reputation asked, "What was the agreement?"
"He agreed to pay me for treating his wife weather I cured her or killed her"
"And did you cure her?"
"No."
"Did you kill her?"
"Certainly not!" replied the doctor.
Said the Grand Secretary, "Under what contract are you claiming your fees?