The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-06-05
Elevated to the Peerage.


Caleb Andrews, well-known citizen
of Arkansaw tells rather an amusing
story concerning family pride.
81 was devotedly attached to Priscilla
Ridman," said Mr.. Andrews, ''and af-
ter being fully assured that my love
was returned, approached old man
Ridman; who had ever been a friend of
our family and asked his consent to our
union"
Certainly, Caleb said he. Ger
tainly, for to tell you the truth l have
had my eye on you for some time,
because l know that you will make
good husband. Besides that, it is
well that our families should be unit
ed.
When can the marriage take
placer | asked.
oh, anytime, or rather as soon as
arrangements can be made
81 was delighted with the old mans
frankness His face seemed a model
of noble expression. My father agreed
with me concerning the old man Rid
man, but my mother, woman like,
would not agree that he deserved any
credit, and dropped a mild hint that
the Ridman family was no better than
hers, that her mother was old Major
Harvey's daughter, and that none of
the Harvey stock need feel elated even
If the governor of the state should grant
the hand of his daughter. This was
all very well, and quite natural, my
mother necessarily being a woman, but
with me, it robbed old man Ridmar of
none of the nobility with which l had
surrounded him. Extensive prepara-
tions for the wedding were made, and
| doubt that there was ever happier
clod-hopper than |. The marriage was
to take place at noon Thursday. War
had been declared between the states.
and, after the ceremony, l, as captain
of a company, was to march away, re-
gretful at such an early separation
from my young wife, but happy in the
thought that | would be envied by all
the young men in the neighborhood.
Tuesday evening | went over to Rid
mans house. He did not welcome me
in his usual outburst OF why. my dear
boy, how are you?" and | thought that
he might be ILL
"'Mr. Andrews said he, let me see
you moment"
'There was chilliness in his voice
and an expression in his eye which l
could not quite understand"
He led the way down to the pen
where the hogs were eating. Placing
his right arm over the fence, he turn
ed to me with an air of Importance and
said;
81 believe there has been some little
talk in regard to marriage between
you and my daughter?'
81 looked at him in astonishment,
and replied affirmatively.
Such union is now impossible
'WhyP' | gasped.
why! he exclaimed. Why, in
deed. You certainly cannot have heard
of the governor action concerning me.
He has appointed me justice of the
peace. A Judge, sir, under the confed-
crate government. This war, young
man, is intended to define social lines.
1t is to confirm an aristocracy which
for years has been growing. You are
quite q respectable young man, with
fair education, but you cannot hope to
marry into the nobility Before was
elevated to the peerage, l gave my con-
sent to your union with my daughter,
but now, sir, in. duty bound to myself
and family, | am forced to rescind my
former action
My blood arose 'Sirr l exclaimed,
you forget that | am captain in the
confederate army
L seek not to rob you of any laurels
that you may have won. A captain
can make his position honorable, but
he is by no means squire. If you at
tain the rank of general, then l shall
be pleased TO reconsider this decision,
but until then or some similar eleva-
tion, | must discountenance your asso-
citation with my daughter
Does your daughter share your
opinionp"
"'My daughter may not sha...e but
she accepts my opinion. O. Sac could not
do otherwise.
Il went home. The old fool!' ex-
claimed my father when I told him.
III go over and whale him till he can't
stand up, and it was as much as could
do to dissuade him from his violent
purpose.
Il went into the war without seeing
the girl again. Just before Lees sur
render, l was promoted TO the rank of
brigadier general. After peace was de-
clared L returned home. Miss Rid
man had not married, and l was told
that she had never ceased to grieve for
me.
Zone evening l strolled over to see
her. The sitting-room door was open,
and seeing no one within, / entered
and sat down. Shutting footsteps told
of some ones approach. Old man Rid
man entered. He looked at me a mo-
ment and said:
" Have you come back to taunt ne?'
"'No, old man, having attained the
rank of general, have come back to
marry your daughter
IS How do you know, sir, that I will
consentp'
You said that all barriers should
be removed should l attain the rank of
general
'''Yes. but you are only a brigadier-
general. Well, as l did not specify
what rank of general, l suppose it
would be better to yield. Remember,
sir, that | am soon to be q candidate
under the United States government
for justice of the peace.
''We have been married for wears.
The old man lives with US, and is con-
stantly engaged in copying opinions
delivered under authority of the con-
federate government" - ArkdnSda0