Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-06-29
HE PAID UP.
A Wedding That Cost Stuart Robson
$4,000.

$4,000.
~ read in the newspapers one morn
ing, says Nat G. Goodwin, "that Law
renee Rarrett's daughter had been mar
ricd, and that among the bridal gifts was
a check for IS, 900 from Stuart Robson.
That can hardly be true, thought I.
Robson and Barrett are great friends, but
Robson would not be likely to give so
much money as wedding present The
newspapers must be wrong
"a day or two later l met Robson in
Broadway.
Look here, old man, said I. How
about that gift of $4,000 you are said to
have made to Larry Barrett's daughter?
Have the newspapers been lying about you
againT
p" Nat, said he solemnly, its true
true as gospel! Step out here one side
and III tell you how it happened
"We retired to convenient corner, and
Robson told me the whole story, and IL
amused me immensely.
About two years ago last summer,
said he, "a young man called at my cottage
in Cohasset bringing letter of introduce
ton from friend in New York. was as
cordial as could be, and the fellow kept
calling off and on all summer He did not
interest me particularly but he was harm
loss. One day he said to me, "Mr. Rob-
son, that Miss Barrett is charming girl I"
"Ah and so you have met the Bar
retts, have you?" says L.
""I have, says he, land regard Miss
Barrett as one of the most charming young
ladies l ever saw"
"She is, my boy, she isl" says I.
"Pitch in and win her, and the day you
wed her III give you $4,000 And here 8
81 to bind the bargain
Nat, pledge you my word had no
idea that anything further would ever
come of the matter. My idea was to en-
courage the fellow to spend his time at
Barrett's cottage instead of mine. But he
was in earnest it seems. used to hear Of
his being with Miss Barrett good DEAL
and occasionally would see them saunter-
ing along the beach listening to the music
of the sad sea waves. But, as I said, I
thought nothing serious of it all, and l
forgot all about my stipulation involving
tho $4,000. So you can imagine my aston
ishment, my horror, when, about two
months ago, that young man turned up
at my cottage again, wearing particular
ly triumphant smile.
""Mr. Robson" said he, GIVE done
it,"
Done whatp" says l.
Proposed to her" says he.
Proposed to whom?" says I.
why, to Miss Barrett" says he,
land I'm going to marry herp'
The - you are" says I, for the
news fairly knocked the wind out Of me-
II am, indeed, says he, and then
he reminded me of tho promise had given
him about the check. Yes, you may not
believe it; but, Nat, the fellow had the bad
taste to recall that l had promised to give
him bridal present In case he won Larry
Barrett's daughter.
"My boy" says I as amiably as l
could, "Stuart Robson never forgets and
ne never violates pledge or promised"
The morning of the wedding l was
feeling too indisposed to leave my bed. I
had been sitting up too late the night be-
fore with sick friend. So called my
daughter to me-
Alicia" said I, "are you going to
the weddings"
Yes, father"
" "Then take this check with you,"
said /. BE careful not to lose it, and after
the wedding hand it to the groom. But,
mind you, Alicia, do not give 1t to him
until after the minister pronounces them
man and wife, for he might drop dead in
the meantime"
when my daughter returned that aft
ernoon, said "Alicia, is it all over2"
"Yes, father"
And did you give him the check
for &5,O00?"
YES father"
"What did he do when you gave 1t
to him?"
Father, he cried"
a" I was gratifled, 1 will admit, that my
trifling benefaction had touched his heart,
yet l was anxious to know the full extent
Of his appreciation.
" He cricd did her" said 1. Chow
long did he crys"
:" Father, am not sure, but I should
say about minute"
A minute! A minute!' said I.
"-,"I cried an hour before signed
that check!"' Eugene Field in Chi
cago Record