Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-05
A MODERN INSTANCE
A Chicago Reporter Interviews One Of
the Leading Characters In How
ells's Last Novel,
And is Rewarded With a Confirmation
that DispOses Of All the Rest
In Happy Way.

As reporter of the Chicago Herald wa
walking up Dearborn avenue he CHANGED e
spy on the door of house not far from
Washington square a modest-looking plat
bearing the name OF "Atherton." The nam'
was common enough, but az he walked OF
he could not rid himself Of the idea thai
the occupants OF the house were not related
to the parties of the same name in Howells's
recent romance, A Modern Instance. AfteI
walking block further north the impression
took complete possession OF him, and he re-
traced his steps in the direction of the house
As he approached it coupe was driven rap.
idly up 10 the curb, the driver slid quickly
to the ground aud opened the door of the We
hicle, from which stepped out stately wom-
an, fashionably dressed. AS she turned TO
address some words 10 the driver in a rapid
tone the reporter noticed that she was a
blonde, and was possessed of considerable
beauty Of the higher sort. She spoke but a
lew words, and picking up her skirts tripped
lightly up the steps, snd stood looking down
the street for moment before entering the
door. AS che was looking in his direction
the reporter was more than ever Impressed
with the idea that she was the person he took
her for. By this time he was at the foot OF
the steps, and before she had time to vanish
into the house he began ascending the stairs
which led to the front porch. His action
attracted the lady's attention, and when he
had accomplished half the distance he raised
his het and inquired politely:
81 beg your pardon, IS this Mrs. Atherton?'
sit is" replied the lady with a slight show
of adjustment.
aMrs. Athertnn- late of Rasinn2n
The same"
So far the reporter had done we'll, bat now
he was at somewhat of loss how 10 proceed
but he put on a bold face and went at il
blindly, asking:
"Have you heard from the Hallecks
latelyT
The lady was thrown off her guard, for che
replied quickly:
"Yes; do you know them?"
"Well, not exactly. 1 am areporter of the
Herald, and in common with many others
who have read of Mr.. Howells's book, l was
curious to know what became of them. See
ing the name on the door, and recognizing
you from the description in the story, made
bold TO address You"
"Do you comeSfrom Howells's?" inquired
the lady suspiciously.
sob, no; it was mere curiosity on my
part. We feel quite an interest in you
here, and there are many people who would
be pleased to know what became of you and
your friends.o
"Well, / don't know as should say any,
thing about il without consulting Mr.. Ather-
ton, but il you will step inside for few
minutes will see If there is anything about
which it would be proper TO speak" Saying
which, Mrs. Anterior swung open the door
and babe the reporter enter. Depositing his
hat and overcoat on the hat-rack he entered
the front parlor. 1t was furnished with a
quiet elegance which was born of culture
and refinement. In the center room was the
library, her husbands law books occupying
the case on the left side and their miscei-
laneous collection large case on the right.
"About whom would you like to know
hrstw said Mrs. Anterior, throwing open
the inside shutters of the front windows
and flooding the rooms with light.
Il would much prefer you to tell me what
you wish in your own way" said the re-
porter, ensconcing himself in a large arm
chair, to which the lady motioned him.
Mrs. Atherton gave short, merry laugh,
and perched herself in the corner of large
old-fashioned sofa. After a moments hesi-
tation she said:
81 might as well begin with Mr.. Atherton
and myself. You see, Mr.. Atherton would
persist in sticking 20 his musty law practice
in spite OF all could cay to him. / tried
every means to prevent his continuing it, and
even began selling and giving away his law
library, but to no avail. Then my health
failed considerably, and the doctors said it
was the sea air. didn't believe word, but
nothing would do Mr.. Atherton but that we
should move West. / had some property |
here, and Mr.. Atherton thought it best that |
we should move here for the winter at least |
Besides that he was sure that he could build |
up more profitable practice in Chicago. He |
said, too, that he was getting tired of Bos- |
ton-the idea hn, I'm not ct going to stay here
and Pll wheedle him into going back in a
very short time," and MrssAtherton leaned |
back SO complacently that the reporter could |
not help thinking that she would do il, too. |
just then there came down from the upper |
story the unmistakable sound which an in
Il.
mis-. Mrs. Anterior smiled blushiDgly and
said, in answer TO the reporters raised eye
brows:
'Oh, that's Marcia"
"Mareia?p
"Yes, my-that is our little Marcia. Didn't
you know we had little baby Msrcia?"
"Holy fsh-hooksl No. How should l
know that?" said the scribe.
"Oh, TO be sure, how stupid OF me. Would
you like to see herr"
The reporter expressed his entire willing
ness to be present at a dress parade of the
infantry, and the happy mother ran upstairs,
and presently returned with a chunky bum
lie of white fannels and blue silk, which
he turned over and over, the bundle at each
syration emitting rounds which resembled
MANTLE anathemas. The reporter came to
Mrs. Atherton's rescue, helped her TO dis
;over the combination, and at last their COM
Iined efforts were rewarded in the turning
'ut Of q bald-headed infant, with very large
blue eyes and an unmistakable odor of para
5oric about it. As soon as il beheld the re-
porter it struck out for him with both hands
md evinced an insane desire to draw its legs !
Up through its mouth.
"It's not very much like me-" said The fond
mother, somewhat spologetically. And in
Iced it wasn't, nor like anything else under |
he sun, save bladder and two fists.
Il heard from Boston last Monday" said i.
drs. Anterior, reseating herself. Things
re somewhat changed there. You see, when :
We, or rather Mr.. Atherton, received that let :
er from Ben Halleck, he did not even want !
uri,anical as he could be, and it was a long :
ime before he could bring himself to think :
hat it was right in Ben TO think of Marcia. !
was so different from his demeanor in such !
matters before her marriage that did not =
now what TO make of it. / never heard of /
UGH absurd prudishuess in my life, and we =
ad several long and very earnest talks about
nswer the letter." Here Mrs. Anterior re- E
eved baby Marcia OF about yard of lace I
which she had swallowed.
you see" she continued, "Mr. Anterior
ould not rid himself for long time of the =
tea that Ben had in some way stained his =
allure by his secret love for Marcia Pm y
nre no one could have acted more nobly =
nd deed and tried harder than any one to I,
revent the divorce, and he loved her all the
me, too. Well, Mr.. Atherton and made =:
p an answer to Ben's letter, and we told him =
LIST what i believed was right. You can
isily imagine what followed. He went up
Equity next spring aud opened his great L
g heart to Marcia. She was astonished, of n
'urse (no, baby, not now, and in her narrow
az could not understand his affection for 81
sr, but after some little time consented, and b
icy were married last June. She wanted P
remove to Boston, but he persu AIDED her I
remain in Equity. He received call to a
e Methodist church there, and / hear he is
a great favorite. Marcia wrote me 81
bout month ago, a dear, good letter, and Z
lie seems much like her former self. There g
as not the slightest reference in the letter is
her late husband, and / suppose he will :
raduaily fade out of her life, il he has not
READY. She de, / think, counterpart of I;
er mother; and will always remain in her ~
resent mode OF life-a stsid New England n
latron." r
"And the Hallecks?" :,
"Oh, old Mr.. Halleck died year ago, | =
Irs Halleck is quite feeble now, but the -
anne kind old soul. Olive is h-m in her de- :,
erminstion to remain single, in spite of all | :,
can write her. She Is the foremost woman :.
q Massachusetts, charities, and dos world =,
I good every year. L saw by he Herald ~
hat she was elected president of the Boston | ii
Training School for Nurses last week"
"What became of Kinney"
"Ah, poor man, you know how goot and 90
lind he was? Well during the last shall | W