Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-09-17
Elevated TO the PGGragG.

AdlcD Anult"ni o'l-hiV"
citizen of Arkansaw, tells rather an
amusing story concerning family
pride.
81 was devotedly attached to
Priscilla Ridman,7 said Mr.. An
drews, "and after being fully as
sured that my love was returned,
approached old man Ridman, who
had ever been friend of our fami
| ly, and asked his consent to our
union"
"'Certainly, Caleb said he
Certainly, for to tell you the truth
! have had my eye on you for some
time, because know that you will
make a good husband, Besides
this, 1t is well that our families
should be united
"When can the marriage take
place ?" | asked.
"Oh, any time, or rather as soon
as arrangements can be me de-
81 was delighted with the old
mans frankness. His face seemed
q model of noble expression. My
father agreed with me concerning
the old man Ridman, but my moth.
er, woman.like, would not agree
that he deserved any credit, and
dropped a mild hint that the Rid
man family was not any better than
hers, that her mother was old Ma
jor 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 nee
essarily being woman, but with
me it robbed old man Ridman Of
none of the nobility with which |
had surrounded him. Extensive
preparations for the wedding were
made, and doubt that there was
ever a happier clodhopper than !.
The marriage was to take place at
noon on Thursday. War had been
declared between the States, and,
after the ceremony, |, as captain
of a company, was to march away,
regretful at such an early separa-
tion from my young wife, but happy
in the thought that | would be Ell.
We'd by all the young men in the
neighborhood. Tuesday evening 7
went over to Ridman's house. lie
did not welcome me in his usual
Outburst of why, my dear boy,
how are your and | thought he
must be ill.,
"'Mr. Andrews said he, 'let me
see YOU moment
"There was a chilliness in his
voice and an expression in his eyes
which could not quite understand.
"IIe led the way down to the pen
where the hogs were eating. Plac.
ing his right arm over the fence,
he turned to me with an air OF i'm
pOrtance and said:
"I believe there has been some
little talk in regard to a marriage
between you and my daughter ~
81 looked at him in astonisbment
and replied aflirmatively."
"'Such a union is now lmpossi
ble.'
"'WhyT I gasped.
"'Whyp he exclaimed. why
indeed /! You certainly cannot have
heard of the Governors action con
cernlng me. He has appointed mi
justice Of the peace. n judge, sir
underthe Confederate Government
This war young man is intended tC
define social lines. 1t is to confirm
an arstocracy which for years hal
been growing. You are quite a re
spectacle young man, with fai
education, but you cannot hope t
marry into the nobility. Before
was elevated to the peerage, gave
my consent to your union with my
daughter, but now, sir, in duty
bound to myself and family, | an
forced to rescind my former ac
tion.'
"My blood rose. Sir ? | exclaim
ed, you forget that l am a captain
in the Confederate army
"'I seek not to rob you of any
Iaurels that you have won. A cap
tain can make his position honora
BILE, but he is by no means squire
If you attain the rank Of general
then | shall be pleased to reconsid
er this decision, but until then OF
some similar elevation, | must dis
countenance your association will
my daughter
"Does your daughter share you
opinion ?
"'My daughter may not share
but she accepts my opinion. Sh'
could not do otherwise
81 went home. The old fool
said my father, when | had told
him. 'Pll go over and whale hin
till he can't stand up and it wa
as much as could DO to dissuad'
him from his violent purpose
81 went into the war without see
ing the girl again. just before
Lees surrender, | was promoted t.
the rank OF brigadier. general. Afte
peace was declared | returned home
Miss Ridman had not married, anC
| was told that she had never ceas