Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-12-28
LETTERS Or EXPLANA TION.

LETTERS Or EXPLANA TION.
They were brought about in this way
There had been a regatta on the Schuylkll.
at Philadelphia. Mr.. Charles Graydon, a res
ident, had been presented to Miss Thurlow,
visitor They talked of boats and rivers,
and thence drifted to the ocean and steamers.
SAID Miss Thurlow Sometimes l fancy
should like to be a sailor-a real professional
sailor, mean. I'd like to command an ocean
steamer, to cross and recrOss the Atlantic q
lf.dozen times year"
Yes, Mr.. Graydon had crossed the Atlantic
several times, and generally enjoyed his
trips abroad thoroughly. He had formed
pleasant acquaintance on steamers, which
developed afterward into close friendships.
He had been deceived, too, by outward ap-
pesrances.
II remember several years ago." he said,
Il was going over on the Cunard line. There
was on board young clergyman whom ev-
cry one liked. We became very friendly,
and spent many a half-hour walking the deck
together. just before we reached Queens
town he said to me, 'Graydon. l find myself
a little embarrassed. haven't as much mon
ey !, Il as l need Will you lend me fifty dol
lars t,ll we reach London : I'll pay you there.
hate to ask you, but / am really in need of
it, l naturally understood his delicacy, and
so made light OF the matter, replying merely,
Certainly, Waldron, l am only too glad to
be of service to you, and l handed him the
sum he asked for. We parted at Queens
town to meet in London but, do you know,
have never heard from my young clergy
man since. He wore his cloak very we'll.
A bright color was in Miss Thurlow's
cheeks as she asked, "What did you say his
name WAS -
"He called himself Theodore Wsldron, al
though doubt whether that was his real
name"
Miss Thurlow's brow contracted and her
eyes flashed, but she said, calmly There
must be some mistake. Surely a clergyman
could not be guilty of such an act. Tell me-
when did this happen ?"
I'm July, 1868. l have not been over
since"
After leaving Miss Thurlow, Mr. Graydon
wondered why it was that she grew SO sud-
denly cool in her manner toward him. "She
must be a clergyman's daughter" thought
he, and the matter passed from his mind.
These are the letters that ensued. The
first was received by Mr. Graydon some ten
days after the regatta
"CmcAGo, September H. 1873.
Mr. Charles Grdyd0H, PHILADELPHIA.
"Sm,-My sister, Miss Thurlow, has re-
lated to me in detail her conversation with
you in Philadelphia on the occasion of her
meeting you at a regatta. While deplore
her misfortune in having presented to her
notice a man so urprincipled as you have
shown yourself to be-a man who deserves
no better name than blackguard when he at
tempts to cloud the unsulied reputation of
another-I am forced so far to notice you as
to demand a retraction on your part of the
gross calumny you have uttered. The Rev.
Theodore Waldron is a lifelong friend of
mine and of my family. He is not at pres
eut in Chicago but even if he were here
should not hesitate to take the matter into
my own hands. You can not fail TO under
stand that expect you to retract and apollo
gize. FRANK THURLow."
PHILADELPHIA, September 10, 1873.
"Mr. Frank THurL0io Chicago, Illinois:
"SR, Your very extraordinary letter of
the 18th inst. has been received. l am not
quite clear upon the subject, but fancy you
must have written it from a mad house. You
demand an apology, retraction-I don't
quite know what. am in the dark. Do l
understand that you expect me to confess to
lying-that you expect me to say that what
said of Mr.. Waldron is not trueE Why, sir,
the more l think of it the more am irritat-
ed. It is you who have insulted me. II is
you who will apologize. l have spoken moth
ing but the truth and as regards Mr.. Wal
dron, your life. long friend (and associate, l
presume) l reiterRte that he borrowed mon
ey from me under false pretences, and | add
now that be deserves to be branded publicly,
although IN Justice to myself must say that
the mention of his name was quite accden-
tai and unintentonal on my part. Miss
Thurlow drew from me his name in full, and
thus identified him. When you have taken
time to reflect you will recognize your hssti-
ness, aud no doubt tender me your full and
ready apology CHARLES GKAYDoN."
CHICAGO, September %, 1873.
| Mr.. Charles GrdydOH, Philadelphia:
Il hardly know what to say to you, sir.
| On my return to this city yesterday Mr..
/ Thurow laid your letter before me, and also
a copy of the one he had previously written
to you Moreover, full statement of your
malicious and cowardly attack has been given
me. Your motive for such action il beyond
all conjecture.
"Our acquaintance was but limited one
in point of time still, in our constant inter
course and mutual confidence during those
few days on board ship, 1 felt that you were
a gentleman. Ny life has not been one to
give me the experience and judgment neces
sary TO combat with a man 80 willy and un.
scrupulous as you seem TO be, and yet 1t IL
strange that man can be refined aud gentle
| in manner and sooundrel at heart Why
did you lend me the money at all Did yor
even then intend to injure me, and look tC
that fact as future weapon with which t.
strike me ? How could you have known tina
l was about to marry Miss Thurlow? Wha
have | ever done that you should wish t
come between us now? l can only look up
on this dastardly act as something beyonC
my comprehension.
Fortunately remember the exact date o.
depositing your money to your credit at Sc
ligman Brothers. / IVES detained in Ire
land, and on may arrival in London was una
BILE to find you. l therefore did all cou
when paid the sum ut the bank where yo
mentioned having letter of credit
II have written TO Seligman Brothers, an
by return steamer shall possess receip
showing that on August A, 1868, the none
was paid to your account. / have now mere
ly to say that your scheme has utterly failed
aud that leave you to the contemplation @
yourself. THEODORE WALDRoS'
Mr. Graydon read this letter, turned to b
diary, and found that on August 3, 1868, /
had drawn his balance at SelgmaD Brothers
and left London. He rushed out, and hal
hour afterward this cable dispatch was tasl
ing under the Atlantic;
"SeLiqmaR Brothers, London!
"Have l balance at your bank? II 81
, how much, and when was it deposited?
"CHARLEs GBAYDoN."