River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-07-20
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Mr.. NeStOyn'S Notebook
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MIR. NESTOYN'S notebook was a
IN standing joke among all his
friends and acquaintance. Whatever
happened, if an old friend were men
toned, any good thing said, in season
and out of season forth came the note
book. with the invariable remark: Il
must just iot that down.
But although many had seen the out
side of that book, to none had it been
permitted to look within. Did | say to
none? Well, on one memorable occa-
sion another pair of eyes as well as Mr..
Nestoyn's had looked upon page of
that precious volume-another hand
had written one word within. And this
is how it came about:
Mr.. Nestoyn was a bachelor. He was
he is one no longer. 1t is doubtful
whether he keeps a notebook now.
There was q tradition among his
friends that some years ago, when Dick
Nestoyn was quite young, some trouble
connected with romance came into
his life. What actually happened none
knew exactly, except that the romance
had a disastrous ending, and the trou-
lad into a strictly methodical man, with
a strong objection to the society of
women.
He lived a quiet, uneventful life in a
well-appointed house in a riverside sub
urb. Methodical and monotonous each
day came and went, one day much the
same as another-an early rising, a
lonely breakfast, short walk to the
station, possibly chat with friend in
the train on the rapid journey to Lon
don, few hours of not very interesting
work at the office, and then the return
to the lonely house. And so Mr.. Mes
toyn's life went on, the monotony
slightly broken occasionally by his
dining with some of his bachelor friends
at their rooms, or by giving recherche
little dinner at his well-ordered though
slightly prim suburban residence.
To these dinners only the unmarried
were invited. for if among the select
circles thar Mr.. Nestoyn honored with
his friend up anyone took unto him
self wife, thenceforth that man was
Mr.. Nestoyn's friend no longer. Ac-
quaintance he might be, for Mr.. Mes
toyn did not go to the length of not
returning a nod or holding a few words
of conversation with former friend
who had married, but never again
would he be asked to partake of din
ner at the Willows, nor from thence
forth did Mr.. Nestoyn darken the doors
of that mans residence.
But to every rule there is an cxcep-
ton. just as Phil Marsden, Mr.. Nes-
toyn's chief crony, was woAdcring
what line his friend would take when
he tPhil Marsden) should have worked
up his practice so as to feel justified in
making an offer of marriage TO a GER
tain charming widow, Jack Cranborne,
apparently the most determined bach
elor of 9 whole set, suddenly an
nouuced lat his banns were to be pub
lished at the parish church on the very
next Sunday.
md all round the little coterie went
the whisper Now Dick Nestoyn will
give up Jack Cranborne."
But, strange to say, Dick Nestoyn did
not give up Jack Cranborne when he
had a wife. He used to say. by way of
excuse, that Mrs. Cranborne was not
like other women. Why he said or
thought this no one could understand.
the general opinion being that Jack
Cranborne's wife was very much like
other women. So it came TO pass that
many a pleasant hour was spent by Mr.
Nestoyn at Riverside, the home of Jack
and Violet Cranborne.
One evening. just as he was turning
into the gate of that snug little dwell
M.
who began, in commiserating tone:
Il really grieve for you Mr.. Nestoyn.
] suppose your visits to Riverside will
be in allegiance for a time"
''How 500" queried Nestoyn.
"My dear fellow. surely YOU have
heard that Mrs. Cranborne's sister is
coming tomorrow to pay her long
visit?''
oh! an! yes! l have beard-some-
thing about it. but in what way does il
concern me?"
well, you. as a professed woman
hater, can scarcely go constantly to a
house where young and lively girl is
staying; il would be so horribly incon-
sistent."
Miss Helen Montgomery may be
neither young nor liNtAA
Possibly. no" returned the doctor,
as he turned away with chuckle at
the familiar way in which Nestoyn had
pronounced the lady's name.
The very next day the two friends
happened to meet again not far from
Riverside.
surely YOU are not going to the
Craubornes' to-day? The sister only ar
rived about an hour ago" began Phil
Marsden.
well. you see" answered the other,
"Jack will like a quiet pipe with me. 1t
will serve as an excuse for him to get
away from the women's chattering."
\ few days later, as MIR. Nestoyn was
returning home from town. CARRYING
basket of the choicest flowers, whom
should he see on the platform but
Marsden. Avoidance was impossible:
so he bravely made The best of il and
advanced toward the doctor. greeting
him with these words: You will come
10 my picnic on Saturday, Ell, Phil?"
''Your picnic ~ saturday? You go-
ing to give a picnic-you? No, think
not; bachelor picnics are not to nay
mind
''But am inviting Mrs. Beechcroft."
'Are you. But she won, come. Sre
is very particular and would. | am
sure, highly object TO being the only
lady"
@But she won't be. Others are COM
ing; at any rate, rney have been in
ted