New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-14
THE CASE OF MRS. ELLIOTT.


perhaps. sufficiently recognized. Al all events,
in the philosophy Of Mr.. Gilyert Elliotts life it
was writ large. Some. indeed. proclaimed that
Elliotts life knew neither sys tenn nor philosophy.
But this Is not the fact Every man is scheme
unto himself This one had commenced, fearful
o! brcakage. by eschewing toys in the nursery.
Later chary Of his bodys safety. he denied him
self schoo! sports: and now at thirty he sided
through life as Il Persian JugSler through
trough Of hens eggs.
In short, 1t may be remarked that angels
would have rushed in where Gllyert Elliott
feared 10 tread.
In the CITY as is understood. prudence is the
pinnacle OF mercantile virtue; and the cautious
man Is a prophet honored III his own country.
once reputaby cautious and the rest IS easy.
In time he will figure on the boards OF stedgy ma
hogany -counte-ed insurance companies. among
trustees for debentures. upon committees OF ad-
vice and rings OF guiding counsel That is in
the course Of things But at thirty the prosper
GUS City man Las just gained his guerdon to sign
checks. and instead Of per pro" blossoms with
his own.
Ellio,ts house in North London might not
have satisfied artist or aesthetic But to every
man his own cave. His address was Chats
worth" Stoke NcTlngtOn. An mcorrSib!e
cyciist. he knew more about full, light ana
helical roadsters. mud-Guards. Clincher and
Bceston tires and the whole art Of gearing than
any ten ordinary men. In his home talk ms
mother and sisters found surprising enjoyment
Truthfully speaking. hypocrisy Is the rarest
Of this worlds sins. Most bad men prefer
murder. There was. OF course, nothing either
good or bad about Elliott; certainly no pretence.
Fer ard thirty years. if We except an coca
sional sortie. he reared golden palisades In
Thrugmorton-st., and threw Up moral earth
works in Stoke Newington, then he met the
wOman.
How the soul OF a poet dropped to habitaton
in the breast Of onyx-eycd. orchid-sknned
Indian goddess and the two were fettered to the
calling Of a London board-school teacher, the
gods may explain when the time comes. Steadily
the three issues stroVc for the strok" OF asceh
sion. The impulse OF the second iniiu"nc" car
ried her into the arms OF Mr.. Gilyert tlliott-
Miss Christine Gertrude Forham was hlghcr
grade school-teacher. who made tri-weekly phi
grimages TO Toynbee Hall in search Of thai
shapeless evasion culture. My dear poets
she STYLED Ter shelves to calling friends. MIS-
Forham knew few men, other than The masters
on the boys side. All the same. she was indis-
putably mans woman. The TWO met al q
subscription dance when they fel e. talking
he certainly dropped below her ideal But AZ the
time tho blood Of her ancestral goddess MAS
strong within her
SO. them on the waves Of the eternal instinct
caution WAS carried 10 the seas; and At -.
Peters South Hornsey. at 80 in the afternoon.
the stockbroker married the schocl-teachcr.
The frat three months were the reign OK the
Indian Queen. Then the soul of the poet as.
serted itself but. in visions Of the School Board
FOR London. waned and sank 10 filter SIX
months after tho wedding Elliott din"d WIN thc
kafilr market AT Jenny So and drank hiinscii
into "A hcap lis Nifc paid the CabmaD thirteen
ehill!ncs. and uudr. sod him and got him o.
bed. That might tto soul 81 tho poet. shrlnkluf
Emhankincnt Board was appareNed IN "h'''
light
cycling. with tho freaks and promoting ~ the
bulls and bears filed MS thoughts ard hours
as hcrctr fore Nust women would have simu-
a:cd interest. but a s'u. is a grlevous burd'"
for a stockbrok RS wife.
Ter l!tIa feminine arts and whlms passed an
remarked Tha, mood OF tired sweetness whisn
she found III nature. boo some books and In music.
was to him ms incou pr. hcusible "a Roman law.
~ c"urs" L. wa never rude I" h'r' il W.
La. hot H.. a. 1a
II was on a heavy night in late july that Aigy
HcrrIoit came Coz tho house 20 dine and sleep
Tho Hon. tlrcIuca fIurrc Hnrriott Wa "A
senior member ~ several Junior clubs woman
had dubbed him once cd rip with taste Tor
verses The description vas severe, but not
urWdrrantcd. lis Via "a pretty pagan sensual
ism though singing FROM wine palate L"
church music. For tn. r.st. be- had Just imaf'
nation enough 10 drs?.Sr W"dl'crity.
Christine. however Hailed him as "a c~catur'
Of light and wisdom. and listened 10 his froth
and small verse lf d - it ~ i',' go, "I.'
She had eaten a long Dime. Of herbs. ana ~ i''
She thought. was salad. su'oulrni. crisp. de-
HghifiIl owing Elliott money. H"rfI'u was
frequent visitor ~ al"aya lived well oui .'d'
his income ard paid Dol, creditors hy eating
their dinners In time 10 came - taking tea WIN
Mr. Elliott. And hllt could sit with mo- woman
knee 10 knee. without making love 60 hrr.
ON a cert ain Saturday the couple were Il. ",d
away 10 "A corplrltipu BAIL I'm afraid you'd
better not turn NJ. Chris Elliott told ms WHO.
There's no time fur q new i!ocA. ana !"t
wouldn't Ike To- q" in thc old ono he s'uI.
"Of course. a mans o. thes are always urN
no added. "as long as his shirt is clean 80
Mrs Elliott stayed at home. In the afternoon
Ilerriott called ard took ten Ailer"afd they
sat on "A sofa with SWiuburnc.
Six was ca 'koocd from tho clock. H'ri"u
rose for his hat. "Suuposing yoV ask me To
dinner" h. said lightly.
But Giyert is away she answered doubt
fully.
THE secret would Doc ours. dear lady.
II should tell him the IN Jm NJ ne returned.
ASK the ogrr's leave. Wire care 81 the
Rcadlc. GuldhalL'"
ooh, stay If you like" she said shortly. And
no STAYED