Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-08
ELOPED WITH A JEHU
TarrytoWn's Fashionable World at the
Feet Of Mrs. BanniSter.
A MYSTERIOUS INFATUATlON.
Thomas Christie Was Unapprcciatrd Until
lie Met the Eyes of the Woman
who Fled With Him.

| ~ IL ifldiinhffg
hand or a case Of irresistible and irrepres-
sible infatuation. placid Tarrytown hasn't
yet 5lseovcred. The town Is too engrosseu
I'm discussing the circumstances preceding
and attending the elopement OF wedi'hS'
handsome. and accomplished young MIS-
william VI. Bannlster ana Hachih'h
Thomas Christie TO enter upon ethical
| and philosophical details.
II wasn't as II she had firmly made
I'd her mind to abandon husband anu
child. and had to accept the shaven-heaueu
hackman as n last resort. All IarrI-
towns unmarried sweldom worshipped NJ
her shrine and sounded her praises, ana
| eagerly awaited the invitation which was
extended to the humble and homeiy Chrls-
tie. alone.
William II. Bannlster. whose home mas
been desolatcd, "a not unknown 10 tne
outside world. He IS n resident OF NyacA'
| directly across the Hudson river from
mis- place. and is the son Of Professor
Bannister, OF the Rockland Academy IN
that city. lie was conducting n lucrative
law nractice six years ago when Miss
Helen Van Kur"n came from NeWpuFb
TO become a pupil in his fathers seminary:
She was only Il. petite, dinpled' anu
winning. Friendship from the moment
they met ripcned soon into love- ana
before six months had elapsed me TWO
were married. The match Is said not 10
have b.en entirely to the satisfaction OF
the Young lady's father. who Is a wealthy
whiskey distiller living In Newburs'
IN TROUBLE At COMFY ISLAND.
When Mrs. Bannister attained her ma
iority she inherited by the VIII OF her
mother 600 and several houses ana
! farms. which made her fortune near
$4,000. About this time Mr.. BannisteT
became Senator Clarence LeXow's ia"
PARTNER. being the junior member OF me-
finn Of Lexow. Wyre n Bannister. y
daughter. Natalie, was born. ana the
couples domestic life was tranquil and
happy.
Nr. Bannlster came to this city on
| August 2l.t last. and visited Con
Island. He was arrested that night and
locked up in the West Brighton Police
| Station on charges seriously affecting ms
! character. Although discharged the next
morning. the affair resulted In the diss'-
| luton of the legal firm Of which he "aS
a member. Mr.. Bannister retiring. and tht
flight 70 this place Of his wife and child.
The wife and child took up a residence
in the Franklin Hotel. kept 10y Mrs. Alex
ander. and the husband was informed
| that his visits would be acceptable only
when brief and infreQucnt. Ana no" zen
| the cascade Of unexpected ana coruscatHS
| happiness upon Mister Thomas Christie.
Thomas, NJ u this time in his hereto
| fore u%neventful career, had thoughts Tor
| the equine race alone. To lie sure, he
had required local distinction for his
| skill in CLIPPING horses and in hanging
their tails. but he had never been ac-
| cusel Of being the fine and fascinating
beau which he became in Mrs. Bannister :
eyes. His travels had not extended far
beyond the highway between his fathers
livery stable and the railroad station
and his ambition had never been known
10 soar beyond the conventional larry
town heights.
SHE WANTED THOMAS ONLY.
They met a week after Mrs. Eannistcr
arrived at the Franklin Hotel. II was 1
| beautiful day in September. and she had
t~elephoned for n turnout and driver.
Thomas. arrayed IN s~potless and r
splendent livery. was assigned 10 DO me
driving by his father, a truly good man.,
who has never forgiven himself for the
fatal command.
Never. thereafter. IN her daily drives
about the surrounding country would Mr9.
Pannlster perm.. other than her
Thomas" a. she was won't - speak OF
him. to accompany her. He was such =
| perfect horseman. she conalel - her
| friends. that he appealed strongly 20 her.
\ change In Thomas's manner Il dress
and general Gemean0r was soon discern
IDLE. II was noticed tina: the apparel was
as stylish and costly and varied as that
OF the hest-lressed man In larry
town. But. %s;rangest Of all. the coach
man was allowing his hair, generally
clipped as short as horse shears could
cut Il, 20 grow into luxuriant abundance.
This outward m~etamOrphosis might not
have attracted suspicion # Thomas hai
not imbibel too much red liquor one
| night and displayed a new gold watch
and a bulky roll 81 bills, with the start
ling announcement that Mrs. Ban
| mister had presented them t. him As a
token Of regard ami esteem. Meanwhile.
| many OF the towns best-connecteI young
| men paid devoted court TO the handsome
Mrs. B1nnister.
Her husband was admitted into her
presence sometimes. but he always de-
| parted with 4 look as Of meutal pain aai
distress.
CAME TO HEAR HER SING.
Mrs. Bannister has a sweet soprano
voice. and before long Thomas hal an IN
v!ta,ion to call o~yenlngs-she was often
50 lonesOnc-anl listen 10 the music as
IT ripplel from her lips. He protested
that he didn't have no plrlOr airs" but
yielded TO her opportunities, AMI during
the first of the month Of November be-
came a nightly caller NJ the Franklin
Hotel. She taught him casino. too. and
manicured his hnger-nails. all except a
thumb. which a horse had permanently
d!sngurel some years ago. while being
currycombed.
do you know she confessed one day
to Mrs. Alexander. Il Ike Thomas real
well. He Is 50 modest ana sensible, and
what ! call handsome"
\ minstrel organization was formed
among the young men OF Tarrytown early
in December, and Mrs. BdEn!sters' ini!u-
ence secured her coachman-protege an
enrolment among the membership. When
an entertainment was given, Thomas
acted as interlocutor. and. although a
victim OF violent stage-friSht, acquitted
himself with as much credit as his COM
panions.