Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-08
Gales aud Sketches.
KNICKERBOCKER LADY.
AN INTERESTING ROMANCE OF New YORK
CITY IN FOUR ACTS.
BY GEORGE EDGAR MONTGOMERY.

One of the quaintest of the suburbs close
to New York is Spuyten Duyvil. The
name itself is full of rich suggestion, as
though the place were still inhabited by
round burghers in large trousers. the
hardy fathers of our Knickerbockers.
Some of the real Knickerbockers may still
be found there-old- fashioned. plain folk.
One of them. lovable woman, died only
few wears ago She was a descendant of
the well-known Van Duren and Northrop
families. Her husband had been Van
Duren Her father, stalwart Dutchman,
had fought CALAMITY at Yorktown. and
her kinsmen were leaders in what is actual
! " good society. In the third quarter OF
our century Mrs. Van Duren was still a
handsome. well preserved gentlewoman
Her house at Spuyten Duyvil was gray,
substantial structure, surrounded by mag
niticent grounds, and full of big, breezy,
comfortable rooms. Mrs. Van Duren
lived there with her grandson, Walter
whom she seemed to regard with kind
of devotion. He resembled her strikingly.
| He had the same broad forehead, patrician
features. and fervid eyes. In manner, also,
he resembled her. His graceful ease and
unselfish courtesy were certainly inherit
/ ed Walters mother had died when he
was child. The only mother he had
| known was Mrs. Van Duren, and the af
! lection that bound these two together was
! like the fibre that binds branch to its
I tree.
After leaving college, Walter turned
/ his thought to law. He hired a neat little
office in Pine street, had his name printed
/ on the glass door, and set himself to ind
customers His friends were not willing
to take him seriously. Why, they asked,
should this young millionaire desire to
work for his livingP But Walter stuck to
/ his task, and. while most of the fledgling
attorneys and counselors who criticised
him killed time with gossip and folly. he
went quietly on his way, studlouS
and observant. After hard struggle he
got hold of several small eases, which he
managed with skill and talent. In fact he
/ did so well, and was so thoroughly in ear
nest. that old lawyers began to take notice
! of him. Yet Walter made little Roadway.
/ He was at best, successful plodder for
two wears. He longed tor n great oppor-
tunity. He was patient. and the opportu-
nity came to him finally-though in a
/ somewhat peculiar and unexpected man
ner.
He was seated in his office one morning
porting over the discursive report of a re-
cent criminal case. Suddenly there was
a knock at the door.
Come in" he said without looking up.
The door was pushed open, and somebody
entered the room. Walter turned his
head carelessly to greet his visitor. Then
in surprise and confusion he jumped to
his feet His visitor was woman-a re-
markablv pretty woman, too. Walter de-
cided that he had never seen so lovely a
face as hers. 1t was fresh, youthful and
radiant with color.
"Ah, madam he stammered, Il beg
pardon. | was reading, and did not
know"
You need not beg my pardon" she re-
piled good naturedly. Il am here on
| business"
Business p he repeated, still en-
barrassed. Only a very hardened lawyer
would not have been embarrassed in the
circumstances.
| "Yes," she said, II have been told tina