Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-12-10
A SEASIDE EPISODE.

gu look SICK
Al never was SO broke up in all my
life"
The explanatory interrogation was adj
dressed to a we'll known New York mer-
chant, man of middle age and the hus-
band of wonderfully beautiful young
wife, rs he sat in the corridor of the West
End last night. 1t was late, and the
friend who spoke was just returning from
a caucus at the Pennsylvania club where
he and several other distinguished poll
ticians and amateur statesmen had been
trying to influence Mr. Philip DAILY. The
hour was exactly half past IL. The second
speaker continued, speaking less eng
matically:
"The bar is closed; have you anything
in your room, old mans"
1t was evident that the sick man
was suffering from the effect of a men,
tai shock of some kind He was perfectly
sober.
When they were seated together the
merchant grew confidential and bit by
bit, to relieved his overburdened mind,
he revealed one of the most curious FAM
lily episodes that have ever come to the
personal knowledge of your correspon-
dent Henceforward the story will be
told in the words of the mutual frien
who, since he finds that all the ladies in
the house have been gossiping about the
matter to-day, feels justified in repeating
the incident with all their extenuating
circumstances.
when we sat down in my room" began
the confidential friend of the elderly mer-
chant, "my sad, distressed companion fin
ally said:-'It was like this, you see. l
can trust you with what to me is an awful
secret. | accepted an invitation some
time ago from my friend Harry French, a
vero jolly fellow, to make cruise in his
yacht small party of clever men were
to be acoard. was glad to go-not that
love the sea- for don't Curseit, hate
it, But the novelty of the experience
caught me, you know. joined the pretty
little steamer at New York, expecting to
be gone week at least. Yes that was
last Wednesday, thine has moved SO
rapidly in the last few minutes that I
have to check it off to be certain Pm
right) We sailed eerly in the forenoon.
Harry is bold bucaneer, and we put out
to sea at once. The wdter was very rough
Ought as rough as country tin lantern.
was beastly sick for two days, but late
this afternoon we spoke pilot boat
bound inward. The skipper said he would
land me at Sandy Aook wharf for valu-
able consideration. was rejoiced at the
prospective end of my seasickness, and
with considerable difficulty was trans
ferred to the schooner. Blessed if l now
remember how 1t was accomplish he'd. l
felt if only could get my feet upon dry
land again I'd be the happiest man in the
entire universe. Alas! you behold me a
miserable wretch, who, when you spoke
to me, was contemplating suicide
HE thought would speak, but only
looked very hprd at him and kept silent
About o'clock we reached the Horse
Shoe and was landed at the pier, my
companion resumed, signing heavily.
The last train TO Long Branch was gone.
STILL didn't worry. l found couple of
strong railroad workmen who agreed for
$40 to bring me down to Seabright on a
hand-car. Once there 1 knew could hire
a team to bring me home, and l did. 1
was right glad to get on land and see my
poor, anxious wife, who knew must miss
me very much. To cut it short, sprang
out of the carriage here exactly half an
hour ago. In my impatience l didn't
wait to say word to any of the "regu-
lars" who were moving toward the bar
room for the final "ball, but l climbed
the stairs to my wife's-our room. l
knew the number well enough-198, on
the third floor. l had gone to it many
time under less advantageous circum-
stances-for was perfectly sober, upon
my word, as l regret to remark, l am yet.
Strange to say, couldn't find the door I
went back and followed up the numbers
Yes, they were all in regular sequence
1914, 1876, 1893; but as there is a God above
us, a pair of mans shoes sat in front of
my door
AZ don't believe it, promptly inter-
rupted.
But l saw them
"'You are grossly slandering a good
woman; and the mere circumstance that
she is your wife, sir, does not justify
"'Don't lose your temper
"'How can l keep it when hear a man
that have known for fifteen years care
lessly blast the character of a most amia-
BILE and virtuous woman. Now, shut up
and go to bed. You are either crazy or
drunk, don't know which Get outl'
"He moved toward the door, not be-
cause he was overawed, but with bouy-
ancy, a clearly defined sense of relief, that
his eyes-indeed, his whole manner
showed. Plainly as words, his glide
toward the hall said.
Perhaps l am wrong
HE got as far as the middle of the wide
corridor. Then he came back just as
was about to close the room. His appeal
was almost pathetic, as he stammered:
"'Will you come with me as far as my
door, Pm trifie uncertain Of myself, as
you say When 1 Eesitated for mo-
ment he added: You're a severe friend
and a candid one, but forgive you. Only
come with me. Do?'
"The affair was none of mine, but as 1
was morally sure the merchant had mis-
taken some mans room for his, l finally
consented to do a foolish act. 1 took his
arm and we started. Turning a corner
in the hall instinctively noticed that the
husband peered forward, with something
like the intensity that hydrophobic
patient stares at a bowl of water. What
was he trying to find? Oh, yes, forgot,
the shoes. l chuckled at the laugh I'd
have to myself about the matter.
"But, where was the roomP glanced
at the nearest door, Odd number on the
front of the house; even numbers at the
back Then his room faced the lawn in