Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-01-10
A GOOD FATHER.
How He Assisted an Army Officer to
Get a Good Wife.

J
stoned an Assistant Surgeon in the
United States army in IS, and
ordered to report for duty to the
commanding officer at Fort Nc,
Kavett, 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 DESTROYS of examining the
Western country internationally, so
applied and received permission
from the War Department to 90 by
way of Arkansas and the Indian
Territory to his 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
horseback, started on his journey.
While in st. Louis, at the Planters
Hotel, he formed the acquaintance
of a gentleman who, learning where
he was going, gave him letter of in
PRODUCTION to his brother, who was a
farmer living on his route in Ar
kansas. 1t is not necessary for US
to follow him on his road to tell
what discoveries he made in the in
terests of science; sufficient it is
that one day toward dusk he reach
ed the house of the gentleman to
whom he had the letter, and dis
mounting, knocked at the door and
presented his letter to the Judge,
(eVen in those days every one in Ar
kansas was a Judge, who would
not have needed it to have accorded |
him an open handed welcome; for
travellers we're godsend, and news
as much sought after then as now.
After short visit, he proposed TO go
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 to stay
that he would have been rude not to
have done so. The Judge, after di-
recting one Of the servants to attend
to his horse, invited him into the
1ining-room, where he was intro
1uced to the wife and daughter of
his host, and also to q substantial
Western supper, to which he did
ample justice.
After supper they adjourned to
the parlor, and he enter tanned his
new made friends with the latest
news from the outside world. The
Judge brewed some stiff whisky
punch, which Graham, socially in
,lined, imbibed quite freely. The
I'D couple retired, and left their
laughter to entertain him; and
whether it was the punch, or what,
1t all events he made hot love to her,
md finally asked her to be his wife
md 20 to Texas with him, to which
he consented. She being very I'M
and innocent, took
verything he said in downright
arrest, and with her it was case
f 'love at first sight
But [ am anticipating. During
be night our friend, the doctor,
,oke up and remembered what he t
ad said, and it worried him; but :
e said to himself, after emptying
Is water pitcher, Never mind, I'll
make 1t all in the morning. [ must
ave made fool of myself. She's
Ovely, but what must she not think
f me ?" and rolled over and went
o sleep again. Morning came, and /
pom his going down to the parlor
e found the young lady alone, fer
mich he blessed his lucky stars,
nd was just about to make an 4
pology, when she said:
" | told mamma, and she said it
Tas all right" at the same time '
living him q kiss which nearly took
is breath away. "Para is going
o town this morning, dear, and you
ide in with him and talk it over /;
ut he won't object l know"
" But, my dear miss, | was very
polish, and"
mo, indeed; you were all
ight.'
"Well, | will go to my post, and
eturn for you, for l must go on at
nee"
"No, l can go with you.
"YOu won't have time"
"Oh yes, l will. Papa will fix +
nat. 1t would be such an expense
II you to come back all the way
ere"
"But I have no way of taking =
ou." ]
q have thought of that; that E
oes not make any difference. G
'ather will give US a team"
With nearly tears in his eyes, he )
ent in to breakfast, to which, at
lat moment, they were summoned G
ut, alas appetite he had none. 1t 2
&c NOT tba+ cha woe NOT nro++- oo