The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-06-07
Elevated to the Pccrasc.

was returned, apprOdCucu GU mon
Ridman; who had ever been friend OF
our family and asked his consentto 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 know that you will make a
GOOD husband. Besides that, it is
we'll that our families should be unit
ed
"'When can the marriage take
placer | asked.
"'Oh, anytime, or rather as soon as
arran gements can be made
II 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 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 elatcd 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 woman, but
with me- it robbed old man Ridman of
none of the nobility with which had
surrounded him. Extensive prepare
tons 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 tho states,
and, after the ceremony, |, as captain
of q company, was to march away, re-
gretful at such an early separation
from my young wife, but happy in the
thought Stat | would be envied by all
the young men in the neighborhood,
Tuesday evening l went over to Rid
mans house. He did not welcome me
in his usual outburst of why, my dear
boy, how are youP' and thought that
he might be i'll.
"'Mr Andrews, said he, 'let me see
you moment.
There was 4 chilliness in his voice
and an expression in his eye which |
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 a marriage between
you and my daughter?'
81 looked at him in establishment,
and replied aflirmatively.
"'Such union is now impossible
"WhyP | gaspod.
"Whyn 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 respectable young man, with
fair education, but you cannot hope to
marry into the nobility. Before | was
elevated to the peerage, lgaye 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 Sir | exclaimed,
You forget that am captain in the
confederate army
~ 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 | shall
be pleased to reconsider this decision,
but until then or some similar eleva-
ton, must discountenance your asso-
citation with my daughter
Does your daughter share your
opinionp"
"'My daughter may not share, but
she accepts my opinion. She could not
do otherwise.
81 went home. The old foolr ex.
claimed my father when | told him.
III go over and whale him till he can
stand up and it was as much as | coult
do to dissuade him from his violen
purpose.
Il went into the war without seein!
the girl again. Just before Lees sur
render. | was promoted to the rank c
brigadier general. After peace was dc
clared | returned home Miss Rio
man had not married, and | was toll
that she had never ceased to grieve &c
me.
"One evening l strolled over to sc
her. The sitting-room door was oper
and seeing no one within, entere
and sat down. Shutting footsteps tol
oil some ones approach. Old man Rio
man entered. He looked at me me
ment and said
have you come back to taunt me-
NO, old man, having attained III
rank OF general, have come back t
marry your daughter
" How do you know, sir that | wi
consent?
"You said that all barriers shouI
be removed should attain the rank
general.
"'Yes, but you are only brigade
general. Well, as | did not speci
what rank of general, | suppose
would be better to yield. Rememb,
sir, that am soon to be a candida
under the United States goyernme
for justice of the peace.
ave have been married for yea
The old man lives with us, and is &C
stantly engaged in copying opinio
delivered under authority of the &C
fedorate government. - ArkanS'