The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-29
THE DEAD HISTORIAN.
Some New Anecdotes of the late DR.
Francis Parkman.

DR.. Francis Parkman, the late histori-
an, possessed an abundance OF dry wit
Although differing widely from the
sparkling bumor of Autocrat Holmes
and Prince Lowell, both of whom were
numbered among his dear friends, it was
| in it's own way quite as forcible
| No historian ever yet had a book pub
lished, it is probable, that he did not
receive numerous letters questioning
the accuracy of certain of his Statements
Parkman was no exception to the rule
He once wrote his brief reply on the
back of letter Questioning his authority
which was sent him and returned it to
the writer: "This statement has been ac-
cepted AS true by historians for the last
fifty years. If you knew it to be wrong,
you were culpable that you did not let
the world know about it before this"
When Lowell was young he was much
given to sensational adventures. On
several occasions he got up in the mid
die of the night and went to cemetery
where he perched himself upon tomb
stone, hoping in this way to find inspira-
L
that he would get more rheumatism than
inspiration.
The historian had strict idea of jus
tice.
A friend met him one day walking
along the street leading street boy
with either hand What in the world
are you doing, Parkman?' asked the
friend.
Il found that Johnnie here had eaten
all of the apple instead of dividing with
his little brother. am going to buy an
other for the younger boy, and make
Johnnie watch him while he eats it.n
When Francis Parkman was only fif-
teen years old he had chosen his career.
He was mere STRIPPING when he was
graduated from Harvard. ii want to
write something that will live," he de-
clared. And he did.
During his college career he spent ten
weeks around Lake George. He was
very tired one afternoon, having walked
many miles along country road, when
a farmer alone in his buggy overlook
him.. The grizzled old fellow passed
him by without SO much as nod, Park
man hailed him and asked for ride He
moved along on his seat and made room
for Parkman, who offered to pay him
for the favor. The old fellow straight
ened up little and said sharply:
when I get SO mean as that I'll walk
myself, young man. J Then he changed
the subject. You're from the city, Ell?
can make money as easy as rolling off a
log | can't understand it..
Then the old man was silent and Park
man was thoughtful
Don't you get along well?" Parkman
said.
"No. I've been trying to pay off
the mortgage on the farm for the last
49, l,,3% IL,
for the interest this time. I've Just
been to see Jones about it, and he's go
ing to foreclose tomorrow. | kin stand
it, but its perty hard on ma. She sets
such sight by the old place.. But that
amt your business, stranger" the old
man wiped his sleeve across his moist
eyes" gee-up. Dobbin.
Parkman remained all night at the
farmers house. The next day he bought
the mortgage from Jones, and, better
luck everlasting the mortgage, he was
enabled to retain his home and in the
course of time to pay off the debt
Itiwas in 1916 that DR.. Parkman visited
the remote west and gathered material
for the most charming Of his books,
1.-THE Oregon Trail" He described his
guide during this trip, Lewis Goodkins,
a genuine backwoods Yankee, in these
words: "Goodkins did not lack brains,
and but for obstinacy, coarseness self
sufficiency, arrogancy, an unwavering
eye for the main chance and few other
trivial drawbacks, she might have been
good fellow
DR.. Parkman lived among the Indians
of the Black Hills for many weeks. par
took Of their fare, joined in their hunt
ing expeditions and medicine dances
Not until he had mastered every detail
and characteristic of Indian life did he
feel himself capable to enter upon the
work of his life, the history of the French
and Indian wars. The hardships he I'M
derwent resulted in his being taken very
ill while among the Indians
Although sick near unto death,
he insisted that the chief
assist him to mount his horse and ac-
company him to the borders of civiliza-
ton. The chief obeyed and muttered
many times during their journey:
"Paleface make heap great warrior"