The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-03-14


creditable examination before the
medical board, was commissioned an
assistant surgeon in the,United States
army in 18-, and ordered to report
for duty to the commanding officer
at Fort McKayett, Texas There
were no railroads in the Western
country at that time, and the usual
way Of getting to Texas was by the
Mississippi river to New Orleans, and
then crossing the gulf TO stage it up
through the State. DR.. Graham was
very desirous of examining the Wes-
tern country mineralogically, so ap-
piled and received permission from
the War Department to go by way
of Arkansas and Indian Territory to
bis post.
On his arrival at st. Louis he
shipped the greater part Of his bag
gage by way of the river, and taking
only what he could carry on horse
back, started on his journey. While
in st. Louis, at the Planters Hotel,
he formed the acquaintance Of gen
tleman who learning where he was
going gave him letter of introduce
tion to his brother, who was a farmer
living on his route in Arkansas. 1t
is not necessary for US to follow him
on his road, or tell what discoveries
he made in the interest Of science !;
sufficient it is chat one day toward
dusk he reached the house of the gen
tleman to whom he had the letter,
and, dismounting, knocked at the
door and presented his letter to the
Judge, (even in those days every one
was Judge in Arkansas), who would
pot haye needed it to have accorded
him an open-handed welcome for
travellers were a God-send, and news
was as much sought after then as
pow. After short visit he proposed
to 60 on to the next town, about four
miles off, where he intended to put
up for the night. The Judge would
not listen to his leaving, and was SO
cordial in his desire for him 10 stay
THAT he would have been rude not to
haye done SO. The Judge, after di-
recting one Of the servants to attend
to fis horse, invited him into the
dining-room, where he was introduced
to the wife and daughter of his host,
and also substantial Western sup
per, to which he did ample justice.
After supper they adjourned to the
parlor, and he entertained his new
made friends with the latest news
from the outside world. The old
couple retired and left their daughter
to entertain him, and lie made hot
love to her, and finally asked her to
be his wife and go to Texas with him :;
to which she consented. She being
very unsophisticated and INNOCENT,
took everything he said in down right
earnest, and with her it was q case Of
Glove at first sight"
But 1 am anticipating. During
the night our friend, the doctor,
woke up and remembered what he
had said, and it worried him; but he
said to himself, after emptying his
water pitcher, ''never mind I'll make
it all right in the morning. l must
have made a fool of myself. She's
lovely; but what must she think OF
mel" and rolled over and went to
sleep again. Morning came and
ppon his going down to the parlor he
found the young lady, alone, for
which he blessed his lucky stars, and
was just about to make an apology,
when she said;
81 told Mamma, and she said it
Was all right" at the same time giving
him a kiss which nearly took his
breath away. "Papa is going to
town this morning, dear, and you
ride in with him and talk it over ;
put lie won't object, I know"
"But, my dear Miss, l was very
foolish, and"
ssNo, indeed you are all right"
"Well, I will 60 to my post, and
return for you; for must go on at
pnce."
"No; I can 60 with YOU"
"You won't have time."
80 yes will. Papa will fix that.
It would bc SUCH Oh expense for you
TO come all the way back here"
''But1 have no way Of taking YOU"