The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-03-28
Il VERY SHORT C0URTSHIP.

geon in the United States army in 1S-,
and ordered to report for duty to the com
mandiDg officer at Fort NJ Kavett, 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 exam
lining the western country mineralogically,
SO applied and received permission from
the War Department to 60 by way of Ar
kansas and the Indian Territory to his
post.
On his arrival at St. Louis he shipped ths
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 Ho-
tel, he formed the acquaintance of gen
tleman who, learning where he was going,
gave him a letter of introduction to his
brother, who was a farmer living on his
route TO 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 that one day, toward dusk, he reached
the house of the gentleman to whom he had
The letter, and dismounting, knocked at
the door and presented his letter to the
judge (eveu in those days every one was a
judge ia Arkansas), who would not have
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 now.
After a short visit, he proposed to go on
to the next town, about four miles of,
where be intended to put up for the night.
The Judge would not listen 20 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 directing one Of the ser
wants to attend to his horse, invited him
into the dining-room, where be was intro
duced to the wife and daughter of his host,
/ aud also to a substantial western supper, to
| which he did ample Justice.
! After supper they adjourned to he par
{ lor and he entertained his new made friends
with the latest news from the outside world.
| The judge brewed some stiff whisky pune b
Z
| freely. The old couple retired and left
their daughter to entertain him; and
whether it was the punch, or what, at all
/ events he 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 unsophistcated and innocent,
took everything he said i'll downright earn
.l ] xrifb hat. Of at
first sight"
But 1 am anticipating. During tn c
night our friend, the doctor, woke up, and
remembered what he had said, and it wor-
ried him but he said to himself, after
emptying his water pitcher:
''Never mind, I'll make it all right ia
the morning. l must have made fool oI
myself She's lovely, but what must she
not think of me ~ and rolled over and
went to sleep again.
Morning came, and upon his going dowr
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 al
right" at the same time giving him kis
which nearly took his breath away. 'Paps
is going to town this morning. dear, anC
you ride in with him and talk it over but
he won't object, know"
''But, my dear miss, was very foolish
and
''No indeed you were all right"
"WeT, will go to my post, and return
for you, for must go on at once"
''No; can go with you"
''You won't have time"
. ''Oh, yes, will Papa will fix that. ]
would be such an expense for you to COM
back all the way here"
But have no way of taking you"
''I bave thought of that that does no
make any difference. Father viii give u
, team
With nearly tears in his eyes he went j
to breakfast, to which at that moment bot
, were summoned but, alas appetite b
bad none. 1t was not that she was nc
pretty and nice, but he thought what
Il, confounded fool she mus. be not to see tha
: he wanted to get cut of it. But it was u
: use. When the judge started for town
DIR. Graham was sitting beside him. Th
. judge saved him the trouble of broachin
,, the subject by starting it himself:
81 always, young man, give Nell her W
!. way so it's all right you need notisayt
word"
''But I've got to go on to-day"
i The old judge turned his eyes towar
him. He had an Arkansas bowie in eac
and one of those double barrel shot-gr
looks, as he said
= = "You amt trying to get out of it, a
: you ?''
The doctor, taking in the situation, sal
:. promptly, all hope being gone:
''No, SIR"
you give you that black team of min
g and light wagon to carry your wife
or things" (here the doctor shuddered) ''aI
:, a Thousand as a starter. You can be ma
rieG tonight, and leave early in the mor
ing That will suit, won't it ?''
:. "Yes, sir" answered Graham, faint
- Bnt on the judge turning toward him,
- said, ''yes, sir, certainly
- after you get fixed at your post
:. come down and pay you visit. l La
been thinking about selling out and moyi
: to Texas for some time its getting crow
ed here, and things are a>moving as sl
as 'lasses in wIEter-tiule."