The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-21


hausted by reason of the unexpected
length Of time consumed IN our Journey
but the prospect Of getting one was any
thing but promising. While revolving the
subject in my mind, and having all my
faculties concentrated on the much-de-
sired end, by some accident learned that
the proprietor of the shanty was doctor
At this discovery my hopes went up sew
eral degrees and 1 determined to test his
medicine chest. So put on look of ut
ter exhaustion. placed both my hands on
my abdomen, understanding the most
plaintive voice 1 could muster. 1 said:
Doctor. 1 have made long march to-
day, and feel utterly broken UP. Have
you not some spirits in your medicine
chest that you could prescribei for me-
am sure 1t would be a great relief" lie
looked me over with suspicion and said:
NO. sir. l am a herb DOCTOR" 1 felt
that my fate was sealed for the night,
and prepared to seek my couch on the
softest plank Iscould find and between the
two men who looked the warmest of the
party. While thus preparing my toilette
de mutt. in a state of mind bordering on
desperation. 1 heard the j1ngling of sleigh
bells and team dashed up to the door,
from which debarked two men. each COM
fortably full. followed by handbags.
blankets and a two-gallon demijoha-
They said they had driven from Winona
that day and would stay all night They
ordered supper, and, while 1t was in
course of preparation. INDUCED in a good
deal of banter back and forth. OF course
1 had formed the determination Of be-
coming acquainted with the contents of
that demijohn in some way, by fair
means or foul, and became deeply inter-
eSted In their converSat ton, looking for
favorable chance to carry my point, no.
tlced that one Of them was very boast
full about what he was going to do whea
the legislature met, and the other saying
to him that he would not be there three
days before they would kick him out
and send him home' At these words
it flashed across my mind that this must
be the man whose seat was contested,
and. awaiting for proper opportunity,
when his friend was lOudest in his asser-
tions that he would not remain long in
the legislature. / put in my oar and said,
Maybe l will have something to say
about that" In an instant the legislator
gave me most scrutinizing look and
said: Are you in the legislature?"
said yes" I'm which house?" he in
quired. I'm the council" 1 answered.
saw the man was bright and Intelligent,
and it was a study to watch the workings
Of his mind while debating to himself how
I would be affected by his condition.
whether favorably or otherwise. Having
his experience and good judgment of
character by saying: MY friend. won
you take drink" From what 1 have
said 1t Is unnecessary to record my an
swer. We spent the greater part of the
night in pleasant social intercourse; draw
ing inspiration from the depths Of the
demijohn. which had seemed so far re-
moved from my grasp but short. time
before.
m n yUQu hA 20
from the Rochester district This Incl
dent made us sworn friends for life AMI
singular as 1t may seem. when the legis-
1ature convened found myself chairman
of the committee on contested elections
in the council 1t Is unnecessary to go
into the details Of the contest; suffice it
to say the contestant had a very weak
case. and Lowry performed all he had
boosted that he would on that eventful
night at Utica.
We were engaged in trying our suit at
Wfnona for several days. Capt Upman
was the register Of the land office and
presided at the trial. The captain was
jolly old German from Milwaukee. and
fairly good drinker. There was building
In the town which had been a church.
but. by the Intervention of the evil one,
had been turned into q saloon and was
popularity known as 1.-THE Church" This
was the captains favorite resort when
thirsty, which physical condition occurred
quite frequently and he would always
say on such occasions: ''The bells ara
ringing. Come. boys, we must go 20
church. It is unlawful to try cases IN
Sunday"
What influence dominated I don't pre-
tend to say, but won for my client three
fort1es of the quarter section in dispute.
We returned home the way we went-on
foot, with the exception that at Stock
ton we constructed a small sleigh suffi-
cient to carry our baggage. which much
relieved the animals. My client offered
me one of the forty-acre tracts for my
fee. but I declined, and accepted a $40
gold piece for my services. The land
which I refused became worth $780, a
few years afterwards, but had a good
deal of fun out Of the adventure, and
never regretted the outcome.
Charles &c. Flandrau.