Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-09-16
OUT OF PAWN.

get on to Upton, where they would find
"a certainty" but there were only sufh-
Client funds on hand to pay railroad fare, to
say nothing of the hotel bill.
Sam Curley put a bold face on the mat
ter and proceeded to cultivate the &C.
quaintance of Mr.. Hobson, the landlord,
who was disposed to be friendly, though
he had ironclad ideas of his own concern
ing "play actors.
He was rather lonesome in his hotel,
especially during the absence of his son
Andrew, a young man who vas just then
| finishing his course at the Upton college.
J 1t appeared that Andrew was the old
mans joy and hope and pride, and he loved
to talk about him.
But when the manager mentioned his
Jack of money and expressed a desire to
take his party and their baggage on to
Upton, with the promise that he would
tel keeper declared that not a trunk should
leave the house until the bill was paid.
In vain did Curley enlarge upon the
certainty" that awaited him in Upton
and his ability to meet the claim if he
could fill his engagement In that town.
i The ultimatum Of the obdurate Hobson re-
manned unchanged.
This was maddening, but Sam Curley
kept his temper and set his wits to work
to find a way out of the scrape.
He sent his leading lady, known to the
public as Miss Emma Montague, on to
Upton with the property man, to see how
the land lay there, and Hobson smiled
grimly as he saw them depart without a
bit of baggage.
She had scarcely had time to reach Tip.
ton when a telegram addressed toher came
to the hotel. Sam Curley received 1t in
the presence of Landlord Hobson.
II believe l had better open it," no
said, "and if it proves to be Of sufficient
Importance l will forward 1t to her at Tip
| ton"
Hardly had he torn open the envelope
when he uttered a Cry of amazement.
ut is from Tiptonv' he exclaimed. 81
can't understand this. How did she ever
get acquainted with that young manP"
"What young man?' indiferently In
quired Hobson.
"Your son, Andrew Hobson."
"My SOM"
"Yes. This telegram Is from him. Take
1t and read it. I can't uphold her in that
sort of thing. Not for worlds would l
help to break a fond fathers heart"
The landlord read with a mist before
his eyes these startling words:
Come at once without waiting for time OF
performance here, and we will be married to.
morrow. Everything is arranged.
ANDREW HOBsoN.
"She has gone there to meet him.
shrieked the landlord. ''She will marry
him, and my boy will be lost to me. Mar
ried to a strolllng player who must be at
least ten years older than he Is! This 10
terrible! How did 1t happen? Where did
he ever meet her?'
"It Is all a mystery to me-, ~ answered
Curley. "You must know that I sym
pathize with you deeply Or. ! would never
have shown you that telegram.
"Bless you for thatl The marriage m ust
be prevente d and I must go to Upton at
once. But Andrew is of age and Is fear
fully stubborn. What shall l dor"
twill go with you, exclaimed Curlcy.
Sat any sacrifice, your home must be pro-
tected. l have an influence with Miss
Montague that no other man possesses,
and I will exert it to the utmost in your
behalf. /, and I alone, can turn her from
her purpose and persuade her not to marry
your son."
"Bless you again! We will take the next
train"
"But the rest Of my company are here, y
suggested the manager. II can't leave
them, and they can't go with me without
their baggage"
"Take them along, baggage and ALI
Tell them at once to get ready and be in a
hurry"
"You shall lose nothing by that, Mr..
Hobson."
IT don't care what I lose il l can save
my son from that harpy."
Sam Curley and his party lost no time
In packing their trunks, and Hobson him
self saw the precious baggage ratified on a
wagon and hurried to the depot, where
the Hit Or Miss Comedy company took the
first train for Upton, accompanied by the
manager and the anxious landlord.
They reached that town at an early hour
In the night and went at once to the hotel
at which Miss Montague was stopping,
where Curley led bis friend Hobson to a
private room.
"You had better stay here q little
WHILE" he said. "Try to DO calm and
hope for the best. / will Immediately
have a private interview with the young
lady and will use all my influence to per-
suade her not to marry your son. Do not
fear that I shall fail. / am determined to
protect you In this matter"
The landlord waited a%nxiously and i'm.
patiently. 1t was not more than half an
hour that he was compelled to wait, but
be could have sworn that it was three
times as long.
At last the manager came In, bringing
his leading lady.
His face was radiant, wearing the flush
Of success and possibly of a few drinks,
! but Miss Montague was evidently op-
pressed by melancholy Of the deepest de.
soription.
There were tears In her eyes as she al.
dressed MIR. Hobson.
II find myself In a painful position,
sir, " she said, "but everything must give
way to duty and to gratitude Mr.! Curley
hos described your feelings to me and has
also told me of the great favor you have
done him In allowing him to bring his
company to Upton. I now assure you,
sir, most solemnly that I will not marry
your son. I never will speak to him after
this hour. No entreaties, no protestations,
no threats even, shall move me from my
purpose. 1 'repeat II, sir-I shall not mar
~ your ION"
Hobson thanked her clumsily, and she
burst into tears and left the room.
The landlord took the manager down to
the bar, where he invited him to celebrate
his success, and several members OF the
company who happened to be present
joined In the celebration.
"How was H. Mr.. Curley," inquired
Hobson at the conclusion Of this cere-
mony, that you had suoh great influence
with Miss MUntaguein .
"She Is my wife" briefly responded
Sam. 1sa1 Rs
The next morning he saw his son and
was assured BY that young man that he