Morning journal and courier., 1888-03-26
WESLEY COLLINS of DA xTON.
He Meets a BoyhOod Friend fR DnioE
Square and is Royalty Entertained.

He Meets Royhood Friend fa Onion
Square and is Royalty Entertained.
From the New York SUM-
AS A V. Van Valken of East Ninth street
stepped out of the vestibule of hotel near
Union Square few nights ago and was
whistling for cabman who was near, a
stylishly dressed young man who stood in
the vestibule touched him ON the shoulder.
''Excuse me- said he; 'but are you not
Al Van Valken who lived in Dayton when a
boya'
Young Mr.. Van Vallsen, without an in
stant's hesitation, told the strange young
man that he was AL Van Valken, formerly of
Dayton.
"But you have the advantage of me" said
he. 81 can't place you"
collins" replied the stranger. stMy
name is Wesley Collins. You certainly must
remember Wes Collins. We went to school
Ewes Collins!" exclaimed Van Valken,
| s'Well, I should say 30! How are you, old
man? Haven't seen you in twenty years"
FsMore than that" replied Mr.. Collins. "It
will be twenty-three years this coming April. :"
Then Mr.. Collins informed his schoolmate
| that he was in New York on business, and
that it was his first visit to the city. He had
been in town but few hours, and he was
| stopping at the hotel near Union Square.
| He had heard Van Valken's name spoken by
| couple of gentlemen with whom the old
schoolmate has just been talking in the hotel
| Office, and being satisfied that he was Al Van
| Valken, formerly Of Dayton, had ventured
| to follow and speak to him. The rain was
pouring down in torrents, but Mr.. Van VAL
ken called the eab and insisted that the
/ a round of city sightseeing in celebration of
| the joyous reunion. Mr.. Collins at frat de-
| INJURED saying that he was somewhat strict
| in his morals, and not addicted to seeking
| the usual pleasures INDUCED in by young
men.
81 would much prefer that you would
guide me to place of worship and spend the
evening with me there" pleaded the pious
| Mr.. Collins.
This was somewhat of staggerer to MrA
Van Valken, formerly of Dayton, but he soon
| recovered, and, laughing at his old playmate's
| scruples, brought to his aid all the persuasion
and wiles of the tempter and at last Mr. Col
| Inns consented to indulge in some very mild
dissipation. The evening was passed in such
| cenviviality as Sunday night never yet fail
| ed to furnish the New Yorker who knows the
ropes and at midnight Mr.. Van Valken was
| in condition that made him listen to sugges-
tions from his friend Collins that he might
| be quite as comfortable at home. Mr.. Col
Inns principles had saved him from any of
the evenings effects, and Mr.. Van Valken's
generosity and pleasure at meeting his friend
after the lapse of so many years had led him
to scout the least insinuation made by the
gentleman from Dayton that he wished to
share in the expense of the evenings enter
tainment. Mr. Van Valken would not hear
of his spending cent. And he did not.
| When Mr.. Van Valken at last concluded TO
| go home Mr.. Collins said:
''I will ride to your house to see you safe
| ly in, and then return to my hotel, where I
want you to come and dine with me to NOR
row."
&c You're not going to any hotel tonight" +"
replied Van Valken. &c You're going to stay
| with me. That's all"
| So the two friends went to Mr.. Van Val