The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-30
Elevated to the Peerage.

Caleb Andrews, a well known citi-
zen of Arkansaw, tells rather an
amusing story concerning family
pride.
81 was devotedly attached to Pris-
ella Ridman," said MIR. Andrews,
"and after being fully assured that
my love was returned, l 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, be-
cause know that you will make
good husband. Besides this, it is well
hat our families should be united.
"'When can the marriage take
place?' I 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-hke,
would not agree that he deserved any
credit, and droppeda mild hint that
the Ridman family was not any better
than hers, that hef 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 daugh-
ter. This was all very well, and quite
natural, my mother necessarily being
a woman, but with me, it robbed old
man Ridman of none Of the nobility
with which | had surrounded him.
Extensive preparations for the we'd
ding were made, and | doubt that
there was ever happier clodhopper
than l. The marriage was to take
place at noon Thursday. War had
been declared between the states, and,
after the ceremony, I, as captain of
company, was to march away, regret
III 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 ncighborhood.
Tuesday evening l went over to Rid
mans house. He did not welcome me
II his usual outburst of Why, my
dear boy, how are you?' and thought
that he must be i'll.
"'Mr. Andrews said he, let me see
you moment
"There was a chilliness in his voice
and an expression in his eye which l
could not quite understand.
"Be led the way down to the pen
where the hogs were eating Placing
his right arm over the fence, he turned
to me with an air of importance and
said.
al believe there has been some lit
tie talk in regard to marriage be-
tween you and my daughter?
81 looked at him in astonishment,
and replied afirmatiyely.'
"'Such union is now impossible
"Why?' l gasped.
"'Whyp he exclaimed. why, in
deed. You certainly cannot have
heard of the governors action con-
corning me. He has appointed me
justice of the peace. A judge, sir, IN
der the confederate government. This
war, young man, is intended to define
social lines. 1t is to confirm an arts
tocracy which for years has been grow
ing. You are quite respectable young
man, with fair education, but you can
not hope to marry into the nobility.
Before l was elevated to the peerage,
j gave my consent to your union with
my daughter, but now, sir, in duty
bound to myself and family, lam forced
torescind my former action
"My blood rose. Sir" exclaimed,
you forget that 1 am captain in the
Confederate army
"I seek not to rob you of any lau-
rels that you have won. A captain
can make his position honorable, but
he is by no means a 'squire. If you
attain the rank of general, then l 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
opinion?
"'My daughter may not share, but
she accepts my opinion. She could
not do otherwise
81 went home. The old foolr said
my father, when / had told him. I'll
90 over and whale him till ne can't
stand up and it was as much as
could do to dissuade him from his viz
ent purpose.
81 went into the war without seeing
the girl again. Just before Lees
surrender, l was promoted to the rank
of brigadier general. After peace was
declared / returned home. Miss Rid
man had not married, and 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, 1 entered
and sat down. Shutting footsteps
told of some ones approach. Old man
nth. nn4.roJ TTa 1oolod of N, q n