The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-02-19
MAJOR JOHN BRlNDoN.
The Heroic Manner in Which Ee
Won His Bride.

Major John Brindon, member O
the Arkansas Historical Society
was requested TO read a paper rela
tive to the days of the code withir
the memory of men now living
The major cheerfully responded il
the following.
Arkansas had been a state some
ten years when l became one Of hel
citizens. 1 was a very ambitious
young man. Devoted study had
failed to win for me a name oil
any distinction in the east, 50, in
this wild country, l vas determined
to make living if nothing else.
Knowing nothing Of the state,
had no particular point in view,
but mounted on a good horse,
struck out for some point to suit
my fancy. One evening, when the
winters sun, losing its glare just
above the tree tops, sank down like
ball of dull fire, 1 stopped at a
large double log hor e. The sur
roundings spoke of refinement. The
yard was a perfect wilderness of
shrubs and flowers, and the fields
lying adjacent bore evidence of a
fine state of cultivation.
sect down, sir; get down." said
the polite -old gentleman, coming
out to the fence. "Here, Abram,
take the gentleman's horse. Come
in and take seat"
The room into which he ushered
me was large and comfortable. The
furniture was old fashioned, and as
l held out my hand to the blaze, 1
wondered how the great old brass
andirons had escaped the cannon
molders in the early days of the
American revolution. My host, I
soon learned, was Judge Blake, an
eminent jurist of that day. When
1 told him that I had come to
practice law his face beamed with
pleasure.
Young and ambitious, of course"
said he. "Well, l shall not dis
courage you. We have need of
youth and ambition in a country
like this. The ability that would
ofton go uDrecognized in an older
state many times meets with bril-
liant success in a country where or
atory has a peculiar charm and
where logic, although an audience
may be uneducated, find an appre-
ciative conviction. Let me intro
duce you to my wife and daughter"
1 arose and bowed to q pleasant
middle aged lady and a girl of sur
prising loveliness.
''ATr. Brindon will remain over
night with us" said the Judge.
Houses are scarce in this section,
my dear sir" turning to me. "My
wife brings the welcome news that
supper is ready-welcome news in
deed to me, for l have, as no doubt
has been the case with you, ridden
several miles to-day. Come"
At the table the young lady,
whom they called Jassamine, sat
opposite me. l had ample oppor-
tunity for studying her face, at first
a pleasure and then q fascination.
She would occasionally steal
glance at me, and my eyes, falling,
would rest on the cold roast of a
bear into which my appetite, de-
spite my admiration, was making
something Of an incision. After
supper we sat around the log fire.
found Jassamine to be proud and
well educated, though she did not
affect that superintendent which
prompts so many young people to
despise their surroundings.
"If you are going to practic law"
said the judge, 81 don't know of
better place than this. Our county
seat is about four miles from herea,
1t is not much of village, but its
legal business is large. The letters
of recommendation which you have
shown me''-which 1 had shown,
too, rather proudly-"will admit
you into the best society. The
one from Judge King should be
treasured as precious document.
l am going to town tomorrow, and
if you desire it, will assist you in
locating"
l thanked him warmly. 1 fan
cied Jassamine's eyes rested on me
in approval.