The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05
SENT HIS SON-IN-LAW THE BILL.
Father Who Objected to Losing
Value of His Daughters Education.

A very interesting case is reported from
one Of the counties whose boundary line
touches that of Marion county. The case is
sad, although to a few it may appear anus
ing. Two Of the chief actors are now living
in the heart Of Africa, if still alive while
the other is attending to his farm in the
county before mentioned.
The farmer is prosperous one as are all
farmers whose stories get In the public
print. The story is true, however, and if
necessary, evidence can be furnished to the
effect that the said farmer is prosperous. He
had daughter. and presumably he still
has her. although she is the wife of another,
who led her to the missionary fields OF AZ
RIGA. This prosperous farmer saw in his
daughter all the hopes and possibilities of,the
family. He was justly proud of her, for she
was good daughter who combined the occu-
patton of milking cows and reading books
to a degree not often observed in country
maid.
The young woman longed for an educa-
ton. She was ambitious. She had an idea
that she could go forth in the world and
make an honorable living and position for
herself. Her father, pleased at her ambi-
tons, sacrificed much to send her to a uni
versity where she could be taught The uni
versity is known throughout the country and
an attendance there is equal to a diploma
from many another school The young
woman entered upon her duties with zeal
and steadfastness Of purpose. She attracted
attention, especially that of a young man
who was preparing himself for the practice
Of medicine. This young man had the desire
to do something grand for mankind. so he
consecrated his life to missionary work. To
49,
from Indiana and the young medic met
and became acquainted with each other.
The acquaintance ripened into the beautiful
love found only at a .co-educational institu-
ton, and they were engaged to be married
The father, the Indiana farmer, was ap-
prised of the affair. He did not take kindly
to the thought of his only daughter going
to Africa as missionary. probably to be de-
voured by cannibals. He objected with all
the parental obstinacy of the centuries
Love as usual took it's own course and the
only daughter and the young medic were
married and two lives became consecrated to
the missionary cause.
The father did not attend the wedding.
More than that. he forbade his daughter TO
visit him or even speak to him. 1t did not
please his soul to ponder that he had reared
daughter. sacrificed much to educate her.
only to have her marry a missionary and
bury herself with him in the darkest OF
dark Africa He wrote his objectionable
son-in-law note in which he figured up the
expense to which he had been put in educat-
ing his daughter to be the wife of mission
airy. TIe sent the son-in-law the bill for the
university course The young man acknowi-
edged the bill. saying his wife was worth
more than all the world to him, but were it
to save his life and those OF all the heather
In the world he could not meet the obliga-
ton. The young missionary and his bride
started for Africa on their honeymoon with
out a fathers blessing, and no word has been
received since to tell whether they are alive
or dead.