Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-03-01
A RAPID courtship.
I Lucky Doctor, Ipbo Hon a WJt and
E9mpggs in a Very Sior Tine.

= Lhfs1 tffHfoFr nHN nun q NUG tht
Eqmpggs IN a Very Sior Tine.
Or. Graham having passed very crcai, be
examination before the Army Medical Boaid,
was commissioned an assistant surgeon in the
United States army in Is, aud ordered %
report Tor duty 10 the c3mmauding oificer at
FIrt McKayeit, Texas There were no rail-
roads IN the Western corntry .. that time, aud
the usual way Of getting % Texas was by the
Mississippi river 10 New Orleans, and then
crossing Tie gull 10 stage It up through the
State. Dr. Graham was very dcsirous Of, ex-
aiming the Western country internationally
so applied and received permission from tic
War Department O. 30 by way Of Arkansas
and the Indian Territory TO his post.
On his arrival at 81. Louis he shipped the
greater part cf his baggage by way Of the
river. aud. taking only what be- could carry on
borsebalk, started 90 bis iourney. While in
81 Louis. at the Planters Hotel, he formed the
ac0mintancc uf u gentleman who, learning
where he was coiug gave him letter ~ in
PRODUCTION to his brutAer, Who was farmer
living or bis route 10 Arkansas IL is uot
nccessarv ior ms 20 follow him on his road. or
tel what discoveries he made IN the interest OF
science. sudi .icut IL Is that one day, toward
dusk. be reached the house of the gentleman
q whom he bad the letter, and dsmouniine
Knocked at the door aud presented bis letter 20
the Judge leyel in those days every one was
q iudge in Atkarsas who would not have
needed IL o. have accorded him az opcn-baud,d
welcome: Tor travellers wore a g1d-sond. and
news WAS much sought after then as now
After 4 short visit he proposed To 90 on 10 The
next town, about i1rr miles uif. where he in
tended 90 put up for the night. The judge
would not sicu to his leaving, and was 80
cordial 20 DTS ucsiro iur him t6 stay that he
would have been rude not 20 have done So
The iuige. after directing one OF the servants
70 attend % hs horse invited him into the III
uing-room. where be was INTRODUCED 60 the
wife and dlu.h,er Of his host, aud also 70
substantial Western supper, 10 which he did
ample Justice
After supper they All iurued 20 the parlor.
and be entertained bis new made friends with
the latest news from the outside world. The
Judge brewcd some siil whskey punch. which
Grahlm. socially inclined, imbibed quite freely.
The old couple retired. and left their daughter
10 entertain him; aud wh,thcfit was the purch.
or what at an events lie made hot love 70 her
and finally asked her 70 be his wife aui 60 70
Texas with him, to which She consented. She
evcrv.hine he said in down right earnest, aud
With her It was a case # love at first sight,
But an anticipating Daring the night
our friend the doctor woke up aud remem-
bered what he had said, and il worried him
but he said to himself. after emptying his wa
ter pitcber. Never mind "a make Il al right
in the morning must have made a fool OF
mvse!f Shes lovely. bnt what mus, che not
.1f.
sleep again. NJ ruiug came, aud upon hs go
ing down 10 The parlor he found tho yonng
lady alone, FOR which be blealed Isis lucky stars
and was just about to make an apology, when
she said
81 told mana, and slo said it was oil
rigLt." nj the same time giving him q kiss
which almost took his breath away. Papa
is going 90 town this morning, dear. aud yun
ride in with him and talk u over, bot be won't
object ! know
But, ny dear miss, was very foolish,
and"
No, indeed yon were all light
Well, wilt go 20 NY pot and reiu'n i)g
you. for most 80 on % once"
80; cen ~ with yor.'
You won't haze t.me.'
"Oh yes viii. Papa viii fix thai. 10
would he such an expense for you 10 come all
q wAy back here
But have no way II taking you.'
81 have thought Of that that dols not
make any difference Fa,her viii give Us q
team"
With many tears in bis eyes ho went 10 %
breakfast, q which at that moment they were
b.th summonel bnt. alas appetite be bad
none. II was not that she was n0t pretty and
nice bet be thought what cohfmndci fo9l
she must Re NOT 90 sco that be wanted 10 get
ont Of IL. Bat it was no u7e. Who's the
Judge savel iim ibe trouble % broaching iho
subject by starting 10 himself:
always, young man, give Nell hcr own
way $40 q Is elI right you nced Do. say q
word
But I've 20; 90 90 on today
The OLD JUICE turned bis eyes t004m him. r.
TIE had an Arkau-as bJwio in oach, and one of
those doublc-harrol shot gun locke, as be said.
" loa ain Q trying to gci ou, q it. arc your
The D ctr taking in ,ae situation, saii,
promptly al hope being gone, No. sir."
"1hat'a right ! wii, fT cvciyihiny for
yoa give y0g thlt black tenn % mine. aBl
a light wagon % carry your wife's things
here the Doctor shnllcrcll " and = thnu,aod
as starter You can be mariiel tonight, aud
leave early 10 tie morning. Tnatll suit,
wonti'?'
Yes ar." answered Gralan. aintiy. But
on the Judge turning toward him, BE said,
Yes. SIR. certainly
After you get fixed at your post 7 viii
come down and psy you visit. | have been
thinking about selling ont and moving 20 Tcz-
as for come time: it's getting crowded here.
and things ar moving A. slow As las
sos IN winter time
Things we're arranged g. theo,I Juige said.
The marriage took place, and the army re-
celyed M addition q its ladies 10 tie person Of
the Arkausas judges daughter. md Dr. Gra-
ham has never regretted the obduracy n be
father-in-law Or tie unsophisiicaicdncss q
bis wife.
WHAT SETTLED HiE-A genuine Yankee
in San Francisco having bored a newcomer
with every conceivable question relative 10 bis
object in visiting the gold country, bis bopes.
bis means ard BIS prospects, at length askei
him II be hsJ a family.
Yes. sir have a wifc anl SIX children,
and neger 81 y one q them"
After this reply tie couple sat a few min
u,es in si'eace, then the iuiefocaior sgain CON-
u1enoed Was you ever blind. sif?'
No, sir"
Did you marry a widow, sir?'