The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-22
Mr.. noxrRo as Nv rxroMo1oeIsr.
The Late Mexican Minister'S Stay at the
Muidoon Training Hospital.

In this city there are a number Of men who
some years ago were thrown Into daily asso-
citation with Senior Romero. the late Mexican
Minister. In n common attempt TO retrieve
heir shattered health and who felt a very keen
regret at learning OF the recent death OF the
popular dlplomatist. They we're inmates to-
gether OF the training and recreation hospital
conducted by William Muldoou, the wrestler.
at white Plains. Thither the Mexican diplo-
matist had gone TO build up his system. and
there he worked faithfully under the direction
OF the expert trainer for several weeks. Nine.
Romero went with him
1t was u curiously assorted company OF
which the pair found themselves a part. There
were two young mlllionaires there who had
broken down from drink and dissipation and
who were now groaning under the rlGor Of
Muldoon's treatment in such cases: an author
who had been doing his work on opium and
had suddenly awakened to the realization tnat
he was enslaved to that deadly drug: a politi-
clan who fostered the worthy ambition Of re-
ducing his weigh from 23O to 100 pounds; a
clergyman who lived in equally worthy hopes
OF increasing his weight from a scant DS TO 40
rounds two cases OF plain overwork and a vic
tim OF the cigarette habit who wasn't sure
whether he had any Jung left. but had de-
cided 10 make one more effort to live on the
hypothesis that he had a fraction still romain-
ing. One Of the overworR cases. a lawyer Of
this city. tells this story OF his first meeting
with Senior Romero and his introduction by
that gentleman to the circle:
1t was q warm. bright summer day when
the New Yorker reached White Plains and he
dismissed his carriage at the gate OF Null
doon's place. which is a large estate near the
towns limits. intending to walk up the long
driveway TO the house. He had not walked
far when he beheld a very small and slight old
gentleman wearing an immense straw sun
hat OF the ten-cent variety well on the back OF
his head and brandishing a net In his hand
come rushing as fast as he. could through the
able In advance Of the net, and preserving its
distance with conspicuous ease, a winged OBJ
The New Yorker. who IS something Of an en-
tomologist himself. stood waiting. and az the
flying thing came within reach. knocked it
grass. and the next instant the aged purSuer
arriving. breathless. had clapped his net over
il and dropped TO . sitting position, painting
he said in a slightly foreign accent: u.
your al aid The butterfly would gu surely have es.
caped me, | make you my compliments upon
your agility"
said the newcomer, politely.
The other skilfulIy transferred his captive
took from a capacious pocket, and in which it
soon fiuttered itself to death. Then stroking
his gray beard. he looked inquiringly at the
younger man.
And are you one Of u.s. he asked; Do
yourself: TO fare plainly and do much hard
work and live in the sunshine?",
The New Yorker replied that he, expected to
spsnd a fortnight at least in the Place mIYi cor,o 10
this. too" The old gentleman, waved his net.
1t is much more interesting than one might
SUPPOSE. this form of the hunt"
years. rsS SsRS sRss nsWso%ef H' WHAT %stfl' luck K have HsSs
Are YOU; then, a collector" cried the other.
with manifest pleasure. Il am but the ANA
teur; took It up for appsement' and now
tives, their pedigrees and all about them. But
Il is very puzzling and there + much that
tily, over the pages. Now even this butterfly
that you assisted me to catch. ] do not rec
0E H is sns a q Batf Si a,m' sa Id The ns New TO Y %skl
the prey were folded in death. He's. a moth,
But 1t is now broad daytime objected the
old gentleman. and the book says that the
moths fly at night. Is there a mistaken"
II there Is Il was on the part OF the moth.
III no ss 3 Kent Si@ at au al. '4 Where nrSb Sid yo %9s stdFt h haTs
He must have been. | think. sitting on the
o oatf he OF f e sFs snd | a hea1s alter as Kim. but she his fse si aaa
That kind don't fly in the daytime. unless
Alarmed" said the other.
out OF his jar the specimens he had captured.
Il haye had a good days sport already. Here
10 a Huntpra and here an AntiOpe and here one
that l think is a LapiniG, but | cannot be sure
because the description in the book is not def
seen and l chase him far and over fences and
through one small brook before he lights and
l creep up, and swoop him."
as a child's and his eyes spanked; The New
Yorker thought him a most charming and UNI
toward the house together planning out ex-
cursions as soon MS the new arrival could get
biological possibilities Of the region. AS they
approached the door the New Yorker intro;
duced himself, by name. In return the old
gentleman said:
My name is Romero and I am a Mexican"
You have a very distinguished countryman
innocently. Possibly you are of the same
family"
The New Yorker looked at him aghast. not
knowing whether to consider him the, victim
with.ths rather scraegiy beard and the thin.
be one Of the most polished diplomats and
popular society men 10 Washington seemed a
Untitled tG as the Rs' Rev TO 4 9slieTe' re sf5G1 F tSnt he
was staring rudely., stammered an apology.
Come IL and let me present you to MINIS:
part better than | do, |
During his stay at the place the lawyer be-
GAME very, wen acquainted WIN tne diplomat
and they took daily excursions after butter
fiies. when the weather permitted. The diplo-
mat. was apparently wrapped up In that one !
pursuit.: All the time that he could get from
the rigidly prescribed exercise insisted upon
by Muldoon he spent in collecting specimens
or mounting those already collected. In the
so energetic was his spirit despite the slight
ness. OF his frame and his apparent debility.
Muldoon used to say that the sight of the lit
tie diplomat struggling with n medicine ball"
almost as heavy as himself was a more potent |
70 work on the part OF the. others
than all the urging that Muldoon himself
could give. The dissipated andsbroken-down
millionaires were ashamed to fall be-
hind the old gentleman. and he on his part
Of exercise was going on that Muldoon's one
fear in. regard to him was that he might In
but never-iailing good humor made him the
most pOuular man in the establishments and