The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-05-15
CHANDLER WROTE IT
THE OLD DOCTOR WANTED AN Or
DER RELEASING HIS SON.

The Secretary Of the Navy and President
Arthur Were Going Fishing and Didn't
Want to BE Bothered. but Changed Their
Minds When They Heard the Argument,
In the southern part of Orleans coup-
~ lives q doctor who is known far and
wide among the country folk, and whose
fame extends likewise into cities far
from his home.
The doctor is a gentleman of the old
school, courteous, with q southern &C.
cent when he becomes excited, for he
was born in Virginia. The worst thing
that can be said about this doctor is that
he is al extremely hard swearer. He
swears a little when he is calm, but
when he is excited his vocabulary Of in
v~ectives is almost without q rival. Many
stories are told about this famous old
doctor, and this is one of them:
The doctor had a son, and all his af-
fections seemed conferred in him. He re-
solved that this son should become a
doctor, and that the fathers mantle
should fall upon the sons shoulders.
But the boy disappointed him. When
he grew up, he didn't wish to study
medicine. He said he had no taste that
way. No plane of life seemed to fit his
ideals exactly. He tried this, and he
tried that, and nothing satisfied him.
AT last he decided he would 60 to
West Point. The doctor yielded, and
the son tried the preliminary examina-
tions, passed them and was appointed q
cadet. He tried the entrance examina-
tions. passed them and at last became
a real cadet at West Point. Even the
old doctor was proud and happy now.
But the son did not do as we'll as he
had expected at West Point. He found
that things military in reality were not
as things military in ideality. He tried
the January examinations and failed.
His heart was broken. Like many an
other youth before him, he could never
bear the disgrace by going home. So he
made as large a fool of himself as he
could and enlisted in the navy, at the
Brooklyn navy yard. His father received
notice of his sons rash act and said
nothing. His heart was too full. But
he threw a few necessities into his grip
and that very night started for Brook
Ign. There he found the admiral. He
told him the story. He begged him to
do something for him. but the admiral
could do nothing. His heart seemed
broken. Was there no hope? The admi-
raj told him he could 60 to the secretary
Of the navy, state his case, and perhaps
something might be done. He could
promise nothing, but at least it might be
tried. The old doctor clutched at this
slight hope, and without waiting to eat
nn;,tnni.- he took the very first train for
Washington.
All these things happened during the
first year Of Arthur's administration,
and, as every IN knows, William E.
Chandler was secretary of the navy.
Arthur and Chandler were sportsmen,
and whenever they had the chance they
would set out on little fishing excursions
Of their own. Now, 1t happened that
they were just ready to 60 forth upon
one of these little jaunts when the old
doctor arrived in Washington. He drove
straight to the home of the secretary Of
the navy and found he was at the White
House, so to the White House went the
doctor post haste. He inquired for
Chandler and was told that he and the
president were just starting for a fish
ing trip and could not be seen.
But l must see him, sub! 1t is very
important, subj" exclaimed the doctor.
He was using his soft southern accent
now for he was very excited.
But you can't, sir, said the serv-
ant.
Il can, sub, and l will, suhr' and
with no more words he pushed the as
tonished servant out Of his way and
strobe through the hall. where is the
secretary of the navy, subj" he asked
the first person he met
I'm that room, sir. said the man,
pointing.
The doctor raped and walked in.
There stood the president and the secre-
tary. getting their things together.
II am DR.. -, and I've come to get
my son back, suh!" said the doctor, and
then he told the story of his sons mis-.
take. The secretary looked at him and
then at the president. Pm sorry, sir, ,
he said, ''but you have come at the
wrong time. We can t bother with such
things now. We are going on "a trip,
President Arthur and l, and we do no,
like to be interrupted" Here he bowed
and stopped.
The old doctor drew himself up, look
ed down at him, for Mr.. Chandler il
not a large man. His old eyes fairl,
blazed. He seemed choking. Suddenl,
he burst forth in a voice of passion
do you think that l am going to lie
my son stay in that ship, sub, to Civ
you the chance to kill a few measly n,
account fish? Do you think l am goin,
to break my heart SO that you can hav
yoh pleasure? Look at me, suhl ! hav
not eaten a thing since last night, sub
See the dust Of travel upon my clos
Do You think that I have travelled nigh
and day, and now l am going to be pu
of because you are going fishing? VIII
are you, sub? You are my servant. suh
Who pays yoh salaryi l do, suhi VIII
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