Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-12-31
A WEDDING EVE.

My principals were Messrs. Spencely &
Mason, the we'll known general providers
In the borough, and it was Mr.. Spencely's
own daughter, and the sweetest girl In the
world to boot, that was to marry on the
morrow. I was In the counting house
with Mr.. Mason, talking over some mat
ter of business, when shopman came to
say / was wanted. ran down stairs to
my special department, the drapery, to
find that lady was awaiting my coming.
She had, it turned out, made some large
purchases, to the extent Of e3O0, but hav-
ing forgotten her pocketbook had request
ed that some one might go with her to re-
ceive payment. In keeping with our usual
course of business this task fell to mo.
The lady's carriage was standing at the
door, footman and coachman both in a
quiet and becoming livery.
felt rather shy, and, fear, awkward
at first, but before our drive came to an
end / was satisfied with myself and
charmed with my companion We drew
up before substantial looking house in
one Of the smaller squares of the west
end. A grave looking major domo, or
butler, as took him to be, opened the
door, and was ushered into ia room, while
the lady and her butler conversed In a low
tone In the hall.
'tMr. Stewart win see you in minute"
the lady at length said, pushing open the
door little farther and closing 1t as she
withdrew her head. Then I heard the
outer door close with bang, the carriage
steps put up and the noise Of wheels rapid
~ retiring. Mr.. Stewart was evidently in
no hurry, for ten minutes passed and still
no sign of his coming. was anxious to
get back to business and began to feel an
noyed
had been walking the feeling off, but
at last, out of all patience, l proceeded to-
open the door. 1t was fast. For mo.
ment suspected trap, but 1t was for o
moment only. Mrs. Stewart, reflected,
was thorough lady.
I mechanically surveyed the apartment.
The windows struck me as being an I'M
usual height from the floor. There were
no chairs, except one--a library chair
near the massive table, but luxurious seats
extended along three sides Of the room. I
threw myself into the chair and tried to
push 1T back from tho table. Both alike
refused to stir. They were screwed fast to
the floor.
/ now awoke from my dream to the
conviction that was a-well, not exactly
q Solomon, and that had been trapped.
/ rained blows upon the door with hands
and feet, too, and after short delay the
aforesaid butler appeared, accompanied by
two men, presumably fellow servants.
"Why am kept waiting heres" do
manded.
"Don't get excited, my dear SIR
"Tell Mr.. Stewart can't wait any
longer, and that must have my money"
IAN in good time, my dear sir, all IL,
good time. Don't get excited, beg Of
you. Excitement to nervous tempera'
ment Isl
NERVOUS temperament be hanged! Pay
me my money and let me out of this. F."
''All in good time, all in good timo."
What was to dor The man was smil-
ing, unctuous, imperturbahle, deaf to my
arguments, unmoged by my protestations.
l ragged and stormed, called them all swim.
dlers and threatened to have them iAdict-
ed. 1t was all of no USE might as well
have stormed at the table and the solitary
chair
Gradually cooled down, 8s one who
needs must, and In a hoarso voice begged
them to shy what they intended doing
with me and what In the world 1t all
meant, for 1t had now dawned upon me
that they were not acting part, but were
sincere according to their light.
And then, to my horror, learned that
the gentleman had taken for butler
was Aloysius Fitzsimmons, M. D., F. r.
II - n}a11 Of i,S n1,env1 II fc
eases of the nerves and brain and keeper
| of private establishment Hdeyoted to
the care Of the cerebrally afflicted" as he
quoted from his own prospectus, which,
| had afterward the pleasure Of perusing
confessed scmewhat injudiciously that !
had neyer 60 much as heard Of him before,
but 1t only furnished him with fresh proof
Of my insanity. He wound up long mon
ologue by telling me that Mrs. Hall was
| to call ON the morrow to inquire how !
was getting on.
''And who may Mrs. Hall BET" asked.
scarce knowing what said, for everything
seemed topsy turvy now
"Poer man, poor man, a bad case"
heard him say, soto voce. He has even
forgotten his own nairle.' Then aloud,
1.-THE lady who accompanied you here,
your WIFE
my wifep' shouted.
"Quiet, my dear sir. You forget your
promise"
.sHer name is Stewart" managed to
say quietly, and, SO far from her being
my wife, am unmarried, and tomorrow
is my wedding day."
"Yes, know. Your good lady has told
us all about that, but perhaps by tomors
row you will be better and think nothing
more Of 1t.
Would you mind telling me whit this
woman has said about mes'
..Whos Mrs. HALF Well, she told me
that Mr.. Hall-thAt II your name, you
know. for II Is 10 given In the certificates
| fr6m two eminent medical men who cx-
| amined you-that MI. Hall was nm ex-
srnplary husband and father and good
| Citizen, but
Go on. / can hear anything now"
--'.but subject to decisions and to par
! oxysms Of violence. believe that, though
| you are q country gentleman, you some
times fancy you are In a large business
house, and that people are seeking 10
swindle you; also that yon are on the eve