The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-12
IKIE 10 MS LOTE
a Husband who Cherished the Memory or
His Dend WIG Tn Peculiar FnshIon.

TIM SuS reporter was leaning In n graceful
attitude against the counter Of an up town
hotel office, convcrsing in an InsouCiant and
nohchalant manner with tho naughty and i'm.
pcricus clerk. "a reporters always do, when n
nice. looking old gentleman. with Just enough
provincialism In his appearance to show that
he was not a New Yorker, though hc might
Lave come from Philadelphia or any other
rural district, came up TO the register, as II he
had tecn there before, and wrote his name and
address. In n few minutes the clerk had sent
him Off To his room with n bell boy, and re.
sumed his conversation.
Queer old chap" lie sail. modelling In the
direction of the departing guest.
The reporter whirled the register around to
look AT the name.
"YesI" he replied questioninRly. II see that
he has signed himself and wife. Where's the
wife? In the ladies' p%arlor;"
That's the queer part Of IT," continued the
clerk. with an evident purpose Of telling n
story. and the reporter became Interested.
There isn't any wife. He's n widowcr. and
has been for fifteen years. but he has been
signing 1t that way for the ten years | have
known him. He is now 90, mud was married
ut 40, and the romance is as pretty us II is
pathetic"
And unusual" ventured the reporter, IF
he is faithful to the memory of one woman,
ana tlAt woman MS WIG, NluOwerS are not
all So"
That Is why this ones story Is the more
interesting. Let me tell you. At 25 he was
n poor young clerk in a Western town, and
was Economically and deeply in love with a
pretty girl of 20. 1t may he said that she
was in love with him, too: but he had queer
notions, and ms they were both poor, and a rich
man was anxious to marry the girl, he never
told his love, but let conccalment. like a worm
in the bud, feed on his damask cheek, as IL
were. and he pined in thought and with a green
and yellow melancholy sat. like patience on n
monument, while the other man married her.
AT thirty four she was II widow and poor.
for her husband had dissipated his fortune.
and our friend here. still a bachelor and as
chant. This time he was Drawer. for he was
possessed of the sinews OF war. and within a
years time he had married her. 1t was rather
hnsty on her part, possibly; but he had waited
long enough and was so importunate that she
tSm TsSmInsian ~ two afW ]wi on Sns year T Instead ssn of
to this hotel on their wedding tour. and were
here two weeks. and one of the proprletors OF
the hotel informs me that he never has seen a
couple more suited to each other and better
satisfied with each other. After that he came
to the city In the spring and autumn to buy
goods. and she always accompanied him. and
they seemed to be no, further away from the
AT last. after the fifth spring trip, he did
not come. but his manager did. and he said
was affected. though they hoped he would
come around all right in time. In the follow
ing spring he came again. but be was not the
same man any more. His mind was clear on
all business matters: but he was queer about
his wife. and n saddcr.faced man couldn't be
found anywhere. The old clerk. who had been
at the counter on his previous visits, was there
when he came again, and after greeting him
pleasantly turned the register around for him
to sign it. He responded rs usual. and when
the, clerk looked at the name 1t was followed
customed to sign it. The clerk was about to
call his attention to It, but n second thought
prompted him not TO notice Ii. and he sent the
guest to the bridal chamber. the room he and
his wife always occupied. as they did on their
first visit.
During his stay of n week he had very little
to say. and II any reference was made. to his
was with him at the hotel. AT the table. too.
he had n place for her. and her meals were
served rs if she had beer there to eat them.
When he was ready to 20 and came for his
two people without Omment Ten years ago.
when came into the office. | received my in
structions concerning our peculiar guest, and
have, since my first meeting him. acted with
MIN exactly as If he were accompanied by his
wife. have learned that he follows the same
in all that he does in any way connected
theatre tickets. two places in any conveyance.
two everything, where she might have gone
with him, and on trips where she would not
have accompanied him in life. such rs short
where it was probable she would not have
cared to go. lie provides only for himself. He
seems to understand what she would be doing
all these years. and acts accordingly. You
noticed him sign that register and go off up
stairsy' concluded the clerk. well. he does
all the rest in the same confident way. Just as
II she were with him and his first considera-
ton was for her"
You may not he n poet" said the reporter.
but the story you tell Is II poem that all men
should learn and cherish in their hearts"