The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-09-03
. MOURNING ENVELOPE.
THE SYRINGE TORY TOLD BY AN
Ex-CONGRESSMAN.

Typewriters in Two Genders-The Awful
Story of st. Petersburg's Cathedral
She Wanted a Prettier Picture.
That was a strange story told by an ex-
Congressman the other day, and the cir
cumstances under which it was related
We're somewhat peculiar. The story was
told as the literal truth, and there can be
no more reason for doubling its authors
veracity than there is for denying that he
is one of the brightest and most honorable
men in public life. He is yet a young
man, but his hair is as white as if silvered
with age. How it came to be white is a
part of the story.
1t was a few evenings ago that the
ex-Congressman sat with q couple of
newspaper correspondents and a Govern
ment official in the ~latter's room in a big
hotel in this city. They were discussing
pONt1cS. and the eX-CongreSSmaD was talk
ing, when he was interrupted by q knock
at the door. In response to an invitation
the door was opened n a messenger boy
stood at the entrance. In his hand was an
envelope, with a heavy black border. 1t
was such as those used to enclose q death
message or to Indicate deep mourning.
The boy paused for q moment, evidently
specializing in his mind as to the proper
person to receive the letter.
Finally he ten1ered it to the ex-Con-
gresham, who ws.s nearest the door. That
individual turned pale and trembled, but
extended his hand IS if to take the mes
sage. He hesitated an instant, and his
hand dropped nerveless. A second time
he essayed to take the message from the
boy, and again he failed. 1t was only after
the third effort that he was apparently
able to reach it, and by that time the Gov
eminent official for whom it was intended
had come to the door, read the address
and took the message from the trembling
hand that had received it.
"Ah," aid he, after opening and read
ing it, CTS only a note from an office
seeker, Why it should be in mourning L
don't know. AS the otice-Seeker is o
woman | presume it is merely a feminine
freak"
Everybody had noticed the strange de-
meanor of the ex-Congressman, and, OBJ
serving that an explanation was expected,
he finally said
81 think the use of black bordered en-
velopes ought to be prohibited by law.
The very sight of one unneryes me. When
l tell you why, you may doubt the truth
of the tale, but it is true, nevertheless.
Ten years ago | was making a political
canvass in my district. AT the close of a
speech one afternoon | received a tele-
! SIdIn lIOl1 uOUlG SldbIuS U1dU lily DOyy buC
lido OF my life, was dying, n that II l
wished to see hin alive | must come at
once. | went Immediately to the hotel,
took my satchel and started for the depot.
There was no passenger train due for some
hours, but a freight was putting out and
l jumped aboard. 1t was late when |
reached the little town on the river where
| could take 81 boat for home.
Il hurried to the wharf and found that
the steamboat would not pass until after
midnight, and that | would thus be de-
layed many hours. / was undecided
whether to wait for the steamboat or hire
a boat and cave at once. While / stood
on the wharf hesitating 8 messenger boy
suddenly appeared before me. Before |
could say anything he thrust into my
hand a white envelope with q heavy
black border. A strange feeling came
over me, and it was only by the greatest
effort chat l was able to open the letter.
ments was awful, for l knew thatit must
contain dread news. When finally
/ looked at the letter there appeared in a
strange hand the single sentence
"'You must come quick
"There was no signature and nothing
to indicate the origin of the letter, and
when I turned to enquire of the
messenger he had disappeared as COM
pletely as if swallowed by the earth. l
knew that the message referred to my
boy, although was entirely ignorant OF
l1s source.
Il knew thatsi must hurry ri would see
MIN awe. Inc message decided me, anu
az once sough 9 poasinan and, securing
MS services, started down the river;
reached home some hours ahead of the
steampoat upon Wnlch ! naa orlgllnaily
intended TO come. l rushed 10 the mousse
n was usnereq INTO 1ne presence OF my
dying boy, AS l approached the Deuslde
he recognized me with a smile, and then
said
Papa, I've been waiting for YOU
" Those were ms last WORDS, and III a
moment ne was dead. L then knew that
the message had received had come from
him INC that ne had been waiting Tor me.
None OF my fan1!y or friends mad seen
about it. Afterward made the most
searching enquiries az Inc town Wnere
ne massen%ar or eyan heard Of him Not ~
the slightest trace of him was to be found.
and | was led to the inevitable conclusion
that the messenger had never appeared TO
any one but me, and that / alone had seen
the message.
"You can understand now why q black
bordered envelope always fills me with
the greatest dread and apprehension, and
why it was that / turned pale and trem-
bled when the messenger boy who lust
appeared in the door rendered me the
oIninous looking message intended for
you.
"You will observe that my hair is white