While we were disposing our baggage in our stateroom--I had hired the bridal chamber--I heard some of my wife's friends asking her father if he knew who I was, and whether I had any credentials.

He replied that he had left the matter of credentials to his daughter.
"Well," said one of the party, "these people on board are excursionists from Independence, and they say this son-in-law of yours is the most desperate outlaw, bandit, and house-burner on the frontier!" The old gentleman was considerably disturbed at this report.

He made up his mind to get a little first-hand information, and he took the most direct means of getting it.
"Who are you ?" he asked, walking over to me.

"The people on board don't give you a very good recommendation." "Kindly remember," I replied, "that we have had a little war for the past five years on the border.

These people were on one side and I on the other, and it is natural that they shouldn't think very highly of me." My argument was not convincing.