MARRIAGE IMPROMPTO.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue XVII, 24 May 1879, Page 1

MARRIAGE IMPROMPTO.

One Dr. Graham, of the United -States army (according to a writer for the "Drawer" of Harper's), being detailed, before the day of railroads, to a spot in Texas, obtained permission to go by way of Arkansas, and. having shipped his baggage, went on horseback. He had a letter of introduction to an Arkansas planter, who welcomed him heartily when he reached the place, and would not hear of his going on to the next town, but put up his horae and gave him a feast. After supper they adjourned to the parlor, and he entertained his new-made friends with the latest news from the outside worldThe Judge brewed some stiff whisky punch, which Graham, socially inclined, imbibed quite freely. The old couple retired, and left their daughter to entertain him ; and, whether it was the punch or what, at all events he made hot love to her, and finally asked her to be his wife, and go to Texus with him, to which she consented. She, being very unsophisticated and innocent, took everything he said in downright earnest, and with her it was a case of " love at first Bight." During the night our friend, the Doctor, woke up and remembered what he had said, and it .worried him ; but he said to himself after emptying his water-pitcher, " Never mind, I'll make it all right in the morning. I must have made a fool of myself. She's lovely, but what must she think of me ? " and rolled over and went to sleep again. Morning came, and upon his going down to the parlor he found the young lady alone, for whioh he blessed his lucky stars, and was just about to make apology whea she eaid :— " I told mama, and she said it was all right," at the same time giving him a kiss which nearly took his breath away. ' ' Papa is going to town this morning, dear, and you ride in with him and talk it over ; but he won't object, I know." "But, my dear miss, I was very foolish, and — " " No, indeed, you were all right." " Well, I must go t? my post, and return for you, for I must go at once." " No, I can go with you." " You won't have time." "Oh, yes, I will. Papa will fix that. It would be such an expense for you to i come back all the way here." " But I have no way of taking you." " I have thought of that ; that does not make any difference. Father will give us a team." With nearly tears iv his eyea he went iv to breakfast, to which at that moment they were summoned ; but alas 1 appetite he had none. It was not that she was too pretty and nice, but he thought what a confounded fool she must be not to see that he wanted to get out of it. But it was no use. When the Judge started for town Dr. Graham was sitting beside him. The Judge saved him the trouble ,of broaching the subject by saying — " I always, young man, give Nell her 6wn way, so it iia all right ; you need not say a word." " But I've got to go on to-day." The old Judge turned his eyes towards him. He had an Arkansas bowie in each, and one of those double-barrelled shot-gun looks as he said, "You ain't a-tryine; to get out of it, are you ?" The Doctor, taking in the situation, said promptly, all hope being gone, " No, sir." "That's right. I will fix everything for you ; give you that black team of mine, and a light waggon to carry your wife's thing 3 (here the Doctor shuddered), and a thousand as a starter. You can be married to-night, and leave early in the morning. That'll suit, won't it ? " "Yes, sir," answered Graham faintly; but on the Judga turning toward him, he said, " Yes, sir, certainly." " After you get fixed at your post I will come down and pay you a visit. I have been thinking about selling out and moving, to Texas for some time; it's getting crowded here, and things are a moving as slow as 'lasses in winter time." Things were arranged as the old Judge said. The marriage took place, and the army received an addition to its ladies ia the person of the Arkansas Judge's daughter, and Dr. Graham has never regretted the obduracy of his father-in-law, or the unsophi9ticatednesß of his wife.