Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-25
THE DEAD HISTORIAN,
Some New Anecdotes of the Late Dr.
Francis Pnrkman.

Francis Pnrkman.
From the Boston Home Journal.
DIR. Francis Parkman, the late historian.
though diverging widely from the sparkling
humor of Autocrat Holmes and Prince Low
ell, both of whom were numbered among
his dear friends, it was in it's own way quite
as forcible.
No historian ever yet had book pub
lished, it is probable. that he did not re-
ceve numerous letters questioning the ac-
curacy of certain of his statements. Park
man was no exception to the rule. He
once wrote this brief reply on the back of
letter questioning his authority which
was sent him and returned it to the writer:
This statement has been accepted as
true by historians for the last fifty years.
If you knew it to be wrong, you were cul-
pable that you did not let the world know
about it long before this
When Lowell was young he was much
given to sensational adventures. On sew
eral occasions he got up in the middle of
the night and went to a cemetery, where
he perched himself upon a tombstone, hop
ing in this way to find inspiration for a
poem. Parkman told him that he would
get more rheumatism than inspiration.
The historian had a strict idea of JUS
tice. A friend met him one day walking
along the street leading a street boy with
either hand.
What in the world are you doing, Park
MANI" asked the friend.
Il found that Johnnie here had eaten all
of the apple instead of dividing with his
for the younger boy, and make johnnie
watch him while he eats 1t.
When FRANCIS farkman was only fifteen
years he had chosen his career. he was a
mere stripping .wnen he was graduated
from Harvard. II want write something
that will live, he declared. And he did.
During his college career he spent ten
weeks around Lake George. he was very
tired afternoon, having walked many
miles along country road, when a farmer
alone in his buggy overlook him. The griz-
zled OLD fellow passed him by without so
much as a nod. Parkman hailed him and
asked for a ride. He moved along on his
seat and made room for Parkman, who Of
fered to pay him for the favor. The old
fellow Strengthened up a little and said
sharply:
myself young man" Then he changed the
subject. You're from the city, en-? You
fellers have an easy time of it. You can
make money as easy as rollin' off log. L
can't understand it,"
Then the old man was silent and Park
man was thoughtful.
Don't you get along well?" Parkman
asked.
Mop. I've been trying to pay off the
mortgage on the farm for the last ten year.
Couldn't raise enough money for the inter
est this time I've just been to see Jones
about it, and he's going to forecloSe tomor-
row. l kin stand it, but it's 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.''
N oil nj OF he 70
erS house. The next lay he bought the
mortgage from Jones' and better luck over
taking the MORTGAGE, he was enabled to
retain his home, and in the course of time
to pay off the debt.
1t was in 1916 that DIR. Parkman visited
the remote west and gathered material for
the most charming of his books, The Ore
gOn Trail" He described his guide during
this trip, Lewis Goodkins, genuine
backwoods Yankee, in these words:
''Goodkins did not lack brains and but for
obstinacy, coarseness, self-sufficiency, ar
rogancy, an unwavering eye for the main
chance and few other trivial drawbacks,
he might have been a good fellow"
DR.. Parkman lived among the Indians of
the Black Hills for many weeks, partook
of their fare, Joined in their hunting ax-
petitions and medicine dances Not until
he had mastered every detail and charac-
teristic 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 underwent in the Black
Hills resulted in his being taken very i'll
while among the Indians. Although sick
near unto death, he insisted that the chief
assist him to mount his horse and accom-
pany him to the borders of civilizatio The
chief obeyed and NUT many times dur
ing their journey:
''Paleface make heap great warrior"