The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-03-07
MAJOR JOHN BRINDON.
The Heroic Manner In Which He
Won His Bride.
CHAPTER I.


Major John Brindon, member of the
Arkansas Historical Society, was re-
quested to read a paper relative to the
days of the code within the memory of
men now living. The Major cheerfully
responded in the following:
Arkansas had been a State some ten
years when / became one of her citi-
zens. / was very ambitious young
man. Devoted study had failed to win
for me name of any distinction in the
East, so, in this wild country. was de-
termined to make living if nothing
else. Knowing nothing of the State, /
had no particular point in view, but
mounted on good horse, struck out
for some place to suit my fancy. One
evening, when the winters sun, losing
his glare just above the tree tops, sank
down like ball of dull fire, Istopped at
large double log house. The sur
roundIngs spoke of refinement. The
yard was a perfect wilderness of shrubs
and flowers, and the fields lying adj
jacent bore evidences of a fine state of
cultivation.
''Get down, sir; get down." said a
polite old gentleman, coming out to
the fence. "Here, Abram, take the
gentleman's horse. Come in and have
u seat"
The room into which he ushered me
was large and comfortable. The furni-
ture was old-fashioned, and as ! held
out my hands to the blaze, wondered
how the great old brass andirons had
escaped the cannon molder in the early
days of the American revolution. My
host, soon learned, was Judge Blake,
an eminent jurist of that day. When l
told him that l had come to practice
law, his face beamed with pleasure
young and ambitious, of course, :"
said he. .'Well, shall not discourage
you. We have need of youth and am
bition in a country like this. The abil-
ity that would often go unrecognized in
an older State, many times meets with
brilliant success in country where ora
tory has a peculiar charm and where
logic, although an audience may be I'M
educated, finds an appreciative convic-
ton. Let me introduce my wife and
daughter.
i arose and bowed to- pleasant mid
dle-aged lady and girl of surprising
loneliness.
...Mr. Brindon viii remain over night
with u.s." 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 indeed to me, for
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 opportunity for studying
her face, at first a pleasure and then a
fascination. She would occasionally
steal glance at me, and my eyes,
falling, would rest on the cold roast of
bear into which my appetite, despite
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 super-refinement
which prompts so many young people
to despise their surroundings.
g If You are going to practice law"
said the Judge, al don't know of a bet
ter place than this. Our county seat is
about four miles from here. 1t is not
much of a village, but its legal business
is large. The letters of recommends
ton which you have shown me''--which
l had shown too, rather proudly" will
admit you into the best society. The
one from Judge King should be treas
ured as precious document. / am
going to town tomorrow, and if you de-
sire it, will assist You in locating"
thanked him warmly. l fancied
Jassamine's eyes rested on me in APP
proval.
CHAPTER III.
The village was, indeed, small, but.
as the Judge said, there was a future
before it. There was evidently not
much of past behind it. The court
house and Jail were log structures, very
much alike in appearance, thought.
The business houses were small. and
seemed to be filed up with the skins of
animals. decided to locate. Offices
were few, but after much persuasion, 1
found room with the county clerk. A
boarding-house was the next question.
This was even more difficult than find
ing an Office.
Young man. said tho Judge, eff
you don't mind the distance, YOU can
board at my house and ride in every
day.
was delighted, and shook the Judge
with tight grasp of gratitude.
1 was anxious to know what Jassa-
mine would think. whether or not she
would like the idea of admitting
boarder, and. especially if she would
like the thought of my being that
boarder. That evening / found her
alone in the sitting-room. Her face
showed no surprise when / told her.
II hope youhave no objections" said
disappointed.
ZIP Why should ! have. Whatever
father does Is rinht -