Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-19
CARTWRIGHT'S MISTAKE.

was sitting on the hotel plaza, follow
ing with my glass the movements of {
steamer in the ofing. AS she disappeared
around a distant bend of the shore,
turned my head toward the left, from
which heard footsteps approaching. My
gaze rested upon the portly figure of {
gentleman who stood short distance from
me, his hand resting on the top of the bal
ustrade. My eye instinctively settled
upon the broad abdominal expanse which
the skill of fashionable tailor had mo-
been able to prevent from being the mos
striking feature of the gentleman's ap
pearance, for he was very fat.
The gentleman evidently perceived the
objective point of my glance, for he gave
faint, apologize sort of a smile, as though
he were somewhat ashamed of himself
and advanced toward me.
"Wel, Walton" he said, extending his
hand, don't you know me? ?"
/ had not recognized his figure, but the
voice was the familiar one of an old col
lege friend.
"Why, it's Cartwright How are you
old boy? Pm ever SO glad to see you,' |
exclaimed, grasping his outstretched hand
and shaking it with genuine pleasure. !
had been at this particular hotel of this
particular seaside resort (which we will
call Clifidale) for two whole days without
meeting a single acquaintance. Cart
wright's advent was a decided relief to
what threatened to be term of solitary
exile instead of pleasant vacation. There
were many people at the botel, but l am
not much of hand to make new acquaint-
ances
No wonder you didn't recognize me, "
said Cartwright, glancing downward at
himself as far his waistband, which formed
his horizon in that direction. 81 am get
ting SO abominably feshy that life is al
most burden to me. / thought course
of sea-bathing might reduce my weight
somewhat, and so | concluded to run down
here for a few weeks. Pm ever SO glad to
meet you, Walton. What have you been
doing with yourself since we left old Yale"
We conversed awhile on topics of mu-
tual interest, and then went to walk along
the beach. Though Cartwright's weight
as he informed me, was $50 pounds, yet he
was no mere vulgar bundle of adipose
tissue. He possessed strong and vigor-
Gus minds and carried his flesh in such a
way that after the novelty of his appear
even remark. He was very well proper
toned, and while his chin was not dispro-
portionate to the rest of his body, it had
not put on the extra folds which disfgure
80 many fat people. His walk was digni-
fed, at least, if not graceful. His frank
good nature was irresistible.
We parted at bedtime, to meet at break
fast next morning. After cigar On the
piazza we took stroll along the beach to-
gether. A short distance from the hotel
an open carriage dashed by, in which were
seated two ladies, one middle-aged and OF
rather distinguished appearance, the other
young and beautiful. l had scarcely time
to lift my hat before the carriage had
passed US.
"What beautiful girl % exclaimed
Cartwright, looking after the phaeton
The hood was down, and over it he could
see the nodding plume of the young lady's
hat. "Who is sheg'
"That," replied calmly, " is Miss Flor.
ence Gaylord, of Clearport. She is rich
and accomplished her charms of person
speak for themselves; she is an excellent
catch, and, so far as | can learn, is still
unappropriated."
"She is certainly very beautiful" he re-
Joined, with thoughtful air.
The Gaylords, mother and daughter, had
arrived at Clifidale the night before, and
this was my first sight of them. They
were old acquaintance of mine. We saw
them every day during the next few weeks
Cartwright became very attentive to Mis-.
Gaylord, and it soon become obvious that
he was very much in love. | do not know
what tricks my own heart might have
played me, for Florence was very charm
ing; but there was another young woman
then spending the summer in Europe, who
had first mortgage on my affections, anc
the arrangements had been made for
foreclosure shortly after her return in DC
tober. | was, therefore, out of the race
and Cartwright had nothing to tear from
my rivalry. OF course he would have hat
no chance whatever had | been in posi-
ton to enter the contest
| could see with half an eve that Mis-
Gaylord was partial to Cartwright. Sh,
with him, danced with him-he coulC
dance well in spite of his obesity; she san.
to him and discussed books and author
with him, for they were both cultivated
people and fond of literature / could no
see how any self-respecting, modest youn,
woman could offer a man more encourage
- ment that she gave Cartwright.
But he was singula ly obtuse. He la
bored under the impression that no woman
could love him with genuine affection.
mo, Walton" he would say, "no yuun,
and pretty woman could love such noun
tain of flesh as | am. A widow with
large family, or an old maid who had ex
hausted all her hopes, might put up witt
me. A young woman might pity me ant
In her generosity seem to encourage me
but she wouldn't mean anything by il
They smile on me for the same reason tina
hey pat the back of prize OK at county
air"
Nonsense" / said, "the woman VIII
catches you wins prize in the matrimonial
ottery and Florence Gaylord knows il
Iou are worth half dozen of thes
tather-weight dudes who are hutterin
ground her."
'Yes, he reioined with rueful smile, {"
Suppose / would be, by the pound"
One afternoon ! strolled down the beael
With paper novel in my hand, and find
ing comfortable seat in rustic pagoda
little way from the hotel, settled mysel
FIR quiet half hour. | had not rea
more than one chapter when two ladie
approached the pavilion and seated them
slves on the other side of the lattice
work, uncovered screen that divided tn
pvilion into two parts. | was lyin
stetched upon the seat, the back of whic
cmcealed the most of my body, while
mss of vines hid my head from observa
tim. i glanced up from my novel, bu
DID not stir, nor did / recognize the ladie