Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-02-05

IL
creditable examination before the Army
Medical Board, was commissioned an
assistant surgeon in the United States
Army in lS-, and ordered to report for
duty to the commanding officer at Fort
McKavett, Texas. There were no rail-
roads 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 ex-
aiming the Western country minera'
logically-so applied and received per-
mission from the War Department to
90 by way of Arkansas and the Indian
Territory to his pos.
On his arrival at ST Louis he shipped
the greater part Of his baggage by way
of the river, and, taking only what he
could carry on horseback, started on his
Journey. While in st. Louis, at the
Planters Hotel, he formed the acquainI-
ancc. of 4 gentleman who, learning
where he was going, gave him a letter
Of introduction to his brother, who was
a farmer living on lis route in Arkansas.
1t Is unnecessary to follow him on his
road. or tell what discoveries he made
in the interest of science; sufficient it Is
that one day. toward dusk, he reached
the house Of the gentleman to whom he
had The letter, and, dismountng, knock
cd at the door and presented his letter
to the Judge, (evcn in those days every
one was a iudge,) who would not have
neededit to have accorded him an open
handed welcome; for travellers were a
god-scnd, aud news was as much sought
after then as now.
After a short visit he proposed to 90
on TO the next town, about four miles
Oh. where he intended to put up for the
night. The Judge would not listea to
his leaving, and was so cordial in his
desire for him to stay that he would
have been rude no to have done so.-
The Judge, after directing one OF the
servants to attend his horse, invited
him lnte the dining-room, where he was
introduced to the wife and daughter OF
his host, and also to a substantial Wes-
tern supper, to which he did ample JUS
tice.
After supper they adjourned to the
parlor, and he entertained his new
made friends with the latest news from
the outside world. The judge brewed
some stiff whlskey punch, which Gra-
ham, socially inclined, imbibed quite
freely. The old couple retired, and lett
their daughter to entertain him; and
whether it was punch, or what, at all
events he made hot love TO her, and
finally asked her to be his wife and go
70 Texas with him, to which she con-
sented. She being very unsophisticated
and innocent, took every thing he said
in downright earnest, and with her it
was a case of love at first sight,
Butt am anticipating. During the
night our friend the doctor woke up and
remembered what be said, and ii wor'
ried him; but he said to himself, after
emptying lis water pitcher, Never
mind. I'll make it all right in the morn
inc. Imust have made fool OF my
self. She's lovely, but what must she
not think of me. and rolled over ant
went to sleep again. Morning came
and upon his going down to the parlo
he found the young lady alone, 10
which he blessed bis lucky stars, ant
was about TO make an apology, whel
. she said: .,. $40
i .old mamma, and she said 1t wa
all right at the same time giving hin
] kiss which nearly took his breat
away. Papa is going to town thi
morning, dear, and you ride in with hir
/. and talk it over, but he won't object,
know
But my dear Miss, was very foo
ish, and
no, indeed, you were all right
well, will so to my post, and II
turn for you, for 1 must 60 at once
No; can go with you.'
tt you won't hayc time
r .Oh, yes 1 will. Papa will fix tina
Il would be such an expense for you
come back all the way here
But I have no way Of taking you
4 have thought of that; that dot
,ot make any difference. Father wi
:, give US a team
with many tears in his eyes he wei
in to breakfast, to which at that m
ment they were both summoned; bu
,. alas appetite he had none. 1t was n
that she was not pretty and nice; b
he thought what a confounded fool 81
must be not to see that he wanted
.e. get out of ii. But it was no use' Wh'
the Judge saved him the trouble
broachng the subject by starting hir
self: Wi !,
ry Il always, young man, give Nell n
own way; so it is all right; you nc
not say word
- 10 90 On Ic.dayl