National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-12-22

parted. ms was contlncud Tor week,
sadly TO the annoy ance of Mary, who
however, kept up her assumed character
as perfectly as did the doctor. BY this
time Fid, could run about rs usual aud
rs the doctor still called in regularly Mary
had to request him to suspend his profes-
sional visits, as their little pet seemed "a
be quite restored.
Dr. Caip pus bowed and smiled courteous
ly at this, and then left the house OF
course Mary was never after troubled with
his company.
II happened about six months after
wards, when the whole story had gone
the rounds, and DR.. Carpus had hecn an
moved by 1t to his hearts content. that n
collector stepped into Mr.. May flowers
store and presented a bill for two hundred
dollars for medical attendance in his fam
lily.
But don't owe DR.. Carpus anything
He has never pract;sed in my family
What does he mean, pray, by sending me
bill ?"
81 know nothing about it, the collec-
tor replied. He gave me the bill among
others, and asked me to present it,"
"lts very strange. He never visited
my family professionally"
What shall say to him, Mr.. May
flower ~
"Tell him that | say don't owe him
anything, and am surprised at his presum-
ing to send me bill"
"NerN we'll sir :" ana the collector left.
An hour after, and he returned with a
new and more explicit bill 1t called for
two hundred dollars for six visits and
medicine to dog Fido.n As soon as be
read it, Mr.. Mayilower became very angry,
and said some hard things about Dr. Ca %
pus. When he had cooled oil little, the
collector demanded the bill and was for
mally told to go about his business, and
that right speedily.
On the next morning Mr.. Mayt1ower
was still further contounded to find law
yer's note in his desk, setting ORTIZ that
he, the said lawyer, had been instructed
to bring suit on a certain clalm fully eX-
pressed in favor of DR.. Carpus.
Here then, the matter began to assume
rather serious form. a lawyer was con-
suited who assured him that Carpus could
not possibly recover the amount claimed
although he was legally entitled to regular
fees for his services which undoubtedly
would be awarded him. But as the prose
cution Of the suit would necessarily lead
to an unpleasant exposure h his daughter
who, if be defended the case, would be
called into court to give evidence, the law
yer seriously advised the incensed old gen
tleman to settle the claim, unjust and
exorbitant as it was, and so get clear OF
tGe whole matter.
1t took old Mr.. Mayfower some days to
make up his mind to pay the bill Finally,
however, the tears and entreaties of poor
Mary prevailed who had a dreadful fear
OF being called into court Her fun with
the doctor brought the laugh on the wrong
side.
About week after the claim was Sci
tied a letter was received from DR.. Carpus,
couched in pretty plain but respectable
language, setting forth the nature and
effects of the practical joke which the
young lady had played off upon him, and
alleging that as she had enjoyed little
fun at his expense, it was no more than
fair that he should pay her off in her own
coin. In conclusion he referred to two
one hundred dollar bills which he had en-
closed, and stated that as he had no legal
right to them, he could not retain them
He had succeeded in making the party
who provoked him to institute a mock
suit, sensible of her folly, and there he
was willing to let the matter drop; trust
ing that when she next took it into her
head to have some fun with the doctor,
she would think twice before she acted
once. And here the matter ended, leaving
both DR.. Carpus and Mary Mayfiower
somewhat wiser from having read quite
attentively new leaf to them in the book
Of human ife.-.4rtbur's Home Uagasjne