Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1895-04-26
CHANDLER WROTE TT
The OLD DOCTOR WANTED AN OR
DER RELEASING HIS SON.

In the southern part of Orleans coun-
ty lives a doctor who is known far and
wide among the country folk. and whuse
fame extends likewise into cities far
from his home.
The doctor is gentleman Of the old
school, courteous. with a southern ac-
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 an extremely hard swearer. he
swears q little when he is calm, but
when he is excited his vocabulary of in
vectives is almost without rival Many
stories are told about this famous old
doctor. and this is one of them:
The doctor had 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 mp. 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 go to
West Point The doctor yielded, and
the son tried the preliminary examina-
tiors, passed them and was appointed a
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 well 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 admit
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
anything he took the very first train for
Washington.
All these things happened during the
first year of Arthur's administration,
and, as every one 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, it happened that
they were just ready to go 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 fish
ing trip and could not be seen.
"But / must see him, suhl 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.
II can, sub, and / will, subj" 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 suh?" 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.
81 am DR.. -, and I've come to get
my son back, suhl" said the doctor, and
then he told the story of his sons mis-
take. The secretary looked at him and
then at the president "I'm sorry, sir, "
he said, "but you have come at the
wrong time. We can { bother with such
things now We are going on trip.
President Arthur and |, and we do not
like to be interrupted. +" Here he bowed
and stopped.
The old doctor drew hlmSelI up, look
ed down at him, for Mr.. Chandler is
not a large man. His old eyes fairly
blazed He seemed choking Suddenly
he burst forth in a voice Of passion:
do you think that am going to let
my son stay in that ship, sub, to give
you the chance to kill few measly no
account fsh2 Do you think am going
to break my heart SO that You can have
yoh pleasure? Look at me. suhl have
not eaten thing since last night. subj
See the dust of travel upon my clo'si
Do you think that have travelled night
and day, and now am going to be put
of because you are going fishing? Who
are you, suht You are my servant. suhi
Who pays yoh salary ! do, suhl Who
pays yoh rents do. suh Who owns the
boat You go of fishing INF l do, and
now, when come to ask you to get my
son out of my navy. you have not time
because you are going tishingi By 49,,
sub. If you don't get my son off that
ship, old as am, I'll thrash yoh -
haid right off yoh bodyr'
The old doctor stopped, breathlesA
His two hearers looked at him aghast.
For a minute no word was spoken. At
last President Arthur said, Chandler,
guess you'd better write that order "
Chandler wrote it, and a little later
n