The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-12-14
CHANDLER WROTE IT
THE OLD DOCTOR WANTED AN OR
DER RELEASING HIS SON.

IN WV
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 coun-
ty lives a 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 a 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
ne is an extremely hard swearer. He
swears a little when he is calm, but
when he is excited his vocabulary of in
vectives is almost without a rival. Many
stories are told about this famous old
doctor, and this is one of them:
The doctor had a son, and all his at
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 go to
West Point. The doctor yielded, and
the son tried the preliminary examina-
lions, 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 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 q 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
Go something for him. but the admiral
could do nothing. His heart seemed
broken. Va 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
anything he took the very first train for
Washington.
All these things happened during tbs
first year Of ArtEur's administration.
and, as every one knows, William f.
Chandler was secretary Of the navy.
Arthur and Chandler were sportsmen,
and whenever they had tho chance they
would set out o. little fishing excursions
of their own. Now, it happened that
they were just ready to go forth upon
Il of these little iaunts when the old
doctor arrived in Washington. He drove
straight to the home Of the secretary Of
the navy and found he was at tho 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.
II can. sub, and | will, snhr' 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 be met
lin that room. sir. " said the man,
pointing.
The doctor raped and walked in
There stood the president and tho secre-
tary.T getting their things together. :,
II am d.. -, and I've come to get
my son back, suhr' said the doctor. and
then he told the story Of his sons mis-.