The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-02-14
An Amicable Settlement.
HOW SENATOR FLANAGAN's BROTHER pan,
DocToR's BILL.

William E. Sweet, a Texas correspondent
of the Philadelphia Press, tells the following
story in one Of his letters describing trip
through the Lone Star State: o taI
The roads are fine, and we bowl along on
schedule time, reaching Lickapoo Springs in
the afternoon of the second d y out from
Fredericksburg. Here we dine and change
mules. The station Is kept by Mr.. Flanagan,
who claims to have q brother in the United
States Senate, although no one would suspect
him of anything in that line. He is one Of
We pure, unadulterxted Texans. He is worth
500. 600. vet lives in shanty 80 mean In ap-
pearance and in fact that 1t would break the
heart of Pennsylvania farmer to be obliged
to stable his horse in it. He is tall and gaunt
as becomes Texan, and has wife to match.
Judging from the number of carroty-headed
children that swarm about the door, his quiv-
er must be well nigh full 1t is in reference
to the latest of these that the story Is told IL
iustrating the character of the paternal Elan
agan. He Is dead shot, and his rife is bis
arblter, yet he does not take any mean ad-
vantage. He has been known to drive off q
score OF Comahches single-handed, thereby
savina guard of fifteen soldiers from immi-
nent peril. Well, when the critical moment
in the life OF the maternal Flanagan approach
ed for the sixteenth time, Dr. NJ, the sur
geon OF the tort, was summoned. Jim T,
the trader accompanied him, and while the
doctor was professionally engaged Jim and
Flanagan were in the hills. Flanagan, hay-
ing one of those practical minds which are
capable of combining business with pleasure,
consulted Jim as to the probable charge Of
DR.. N for his services, suggested twenty
five dollars as something handsome.
Jim saw his opportunity for some fun, so
he very emphatically gave his opinion that it
was too much. ''Well, what would be a just
and reasonable sum-" "Ten dollars would
be princely, but five would be enough, for it
was only fifty miles," The question being
thus settled on the basis of ten dollars, Jim
and Flanagan returned. The event had oc-
Cured without mishap, and it was boy. On
the following morning, when DIR. N.--pre
pared to return to the fort, Flanagan called
him aside and asked the extent Of the ''dam-
ages" ..-..f
''Well, inasmuch as you are an old friend,
and your wife is regular patient, I'll charge
you only fifty dollars" rejoined the doctor.
I'm little hard o hearin', :" observed
Flanagan, in astonishment. "Did you say
fifty dollars g a-"t
FIFTY dollars.'' o ir3as 5 3-t
DIR. N proceeded to complete his prepa-
rations for the journey back to the post,
thinking no more about the matter. As he
was about to mount, Flanagan put in an ap-
pearance with his trusty rifle in his hand.
Doctor" said he, II reckon we'd better
settle this here matter now.' And taxing
him aside, "You want agoin' away without
a settlement, was you? / don't want to owe
no man nothin' Here is ten dollars, which
reckon is about the square thing. Now, If
you amt satisfied, jest get your weapon and
come round behind the hill thar, SOS the cid
woman won't be riled up, and wen settle it.
l don't want no man to go way from my
house dissatisfied, specially you, doc"
1t is needless to add, etc.