Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-05-22
ACCOMMODATING FRIENDS.
The Story Of Damon and Pythias Gets an
undesirable Setback. i

l u1Sa Wa ~"
Horner's saloon taking their horns'
and discussing matters and things IN
general, when the conversation drifted
to the subject of friendship. Each one
present contributed his opinion or
told some story of some great sacrifice
made by one friend for another, when
Judge Simpson spoke up and said:
"Talk about Damon and Pythias. 1
know of my w knowledge of a case
where t%wolfrends made much greater
sacrifices for each other than ever
Damon and Pythias did"
stSchoost dell us all aloud it,
| Schudge,'' said George Horner, who
was listening.
..Hillman Brooks and Jim Danly
were two students at the University OF
Keptucky," said Judge Simpson; ''they
were bosom friends, occupying one
small room, very high up in the air,
and very low rent. They were ex-
tremely poor; frequently they did not
have enough to eat, and in cold
weather they almost froze together.
Brooks was studying law. while Danly
was a medical student. One very cold
day they were both in the at the
same time. Danly was studying a
medical book, Brooks in bed. He went
there to keep warm.
".I am in a terrible fix about this ex-
animation tomorrow" said DANNY. Il
have not been in the dissecting room
for more than a month, and L know
the committee will examine me about
the muscles of the legs, and | nave for
gotten all I know about them. l wish
I had a leg to dissect, so l could post
myself
eff that is ALL said Brooks, L can
accommodate you. Aman who won
accommodate a friend is n o oman at all.
Rather than see you fail in your exam
ination, I am willing to make any lit
tie sacrifice and, sticking out his leg
| from under the cover, he added: just
amputate that leg and dissect it. DO
ne the favor, will you?
'.Danly hesitated at first to take adj
vantage OF the liberal offer, but, upon
Brooks insisting, he actually amputated
his friends LEG, and having dressed the
stump he sat up all night dissecting the
amputated limb. Next day the exam
i%nation took place. and, thanks to
Brooks friendly offer, Danly was able
to pass it most creditably, and obtained
his diploma.
"Yearst passed away. Danly was a
fourishirg surgeon in Louisville. One
day a man with a wooden leg stumped
into his office. 1t was Brooks, who in
the moantime had passed his examine
ton andlbeen admitted to the bar.
"'How are you coming on? asked
Or. Dan1y.
"'V&y poorly replied Brooks; =
have not had a single case. If l could
get just one case as a starter, | believe
/ would make q great criminal lawyer.
If I could just get a chance to defend
some prominent murderer I think my
reputation would be made
"tIf that is ALL replied Danly, 4
a accommodate you. A man who is
not willing to make a few sacrifices fol
his friends is no nan at all. / shall
never forget your kindness in allowing
me to amputate your leg, and l am
| only too glad to have an opportunity
to reciprocate. l will get you a case
right off.
"'How are you going to do it?" asked
Brooks.
".I will take a poker or Ratchet, and
i I will 60 down stairs and murder my
%landlady. That will create a sensation,
and you will have an opportunity to
vindicate me before the court
"'Danly was as good as his word.
| He went down stairs anhin a few min
utes his visiter heard several dull, sick
.ening thuds. The murderer returned
to his visitor and told him how he had
| killed the Old woman and robbed. her
of all her money.
"sYou are so kind said Brooks.
".Not at ALL was the response, I
will just go and deliver myself up to
the authorities, and you can consider
yourself retained as my lawyer
''The trial came off shortly after
ward. When Brooks, the o%ne-legged
lawyer appealed to the jury, and told
how DR.. Danly was not instigated by
improper motives in numbering the
old woman, that he merely did it as a
matter of accommodation to his old
friend, there was not a dry eye in the
court room.
'.The chivalrous nature of the Ken
lucky jury was aroused, and they yelled
mot guilty without leaving the box.
cdr. Danly after
"Dot will do, Schudge," interrupted
George Horner, wiping a tear from his
eye, II sets EN- up" and he ordered re.
freshments for tie crowd.-Ieras Sitt.
inOS.