The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1900-02-28
|ARUNAWAYM MATCH.
But Not tho Kind Of Runaway
Usual In Such Cases.
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John Ashley, Jr., was tall young
man about %, and as he gazed wrath
fully at his father the old man almost
quailed before him.
Old John Asley was of the "old
school," whatever that may mean, and
young John Ashley was of the new
school," very new, In fact, went In
heavily for athletics. ran up big bill
at college for dad" to pay and then
| skipped over to the continent, and
there, being up to date, fell In love
with a very pretty girl and of course
wanted to marry her.
Now. old John Ashley not only had no
sympathy with his sons matrimonial
schemes. but he rather regarded the
young man and all his likes and am
billions as altogether unheard of and
therefore dangerous and to be frown-
ed ON.
1t was natural TINT he should plan
for John to enter his office and learn
the ways of business. The old man
felt sure It was rank heresy and reek-
less foollshness to let the boy marry
till he had grounded himself In busi-
ness and Its methods. Now the boy
wanted to marry Miss Bennett at once
and learn the rudiments of business
afterward.
This did not suit the old man. lie
admitted that he would not be SO
ayerse TO the marriage IL the young
lady had nny money. They discussed
the matter some time.
Old John Ashley knew that his son
had his own stubborn and unreslsting
temperament, aud he changed his tao
ties, He suggested that John have his
aunt ask the girl 10 a dinner party.
Johns aunt presided at the few enter
talnments the old man gave. This was
arranged and the invitation dispatched
TO Miss Grace Bennett, Madison
avenue, New York"
This was the address she had given
| John and told him 1t was friends
house where she should spend the Win
ter. Her acceptance came by return
| post
--'rne- ovon,ns or vnc oinner arrived,
and the splendid house was decorated
and ablaze Johns eyes sparkled when
|
| her to his father.
Father, this Is Miss Bennett" he
said
lie saw his father give the girl n
puzzllng look and heard him stlhe an
exclamation of surprise. Then he no.
| iced That the girl was blushIng and
secra4 IN some way Ill ut ease.
"IIow do you do, Miss GraceY said
! his father, with the easy familiarity of
mn old man. 1--WE are very glad TO see
you here" Then some one else came
up, and the girl hurried away
Several times Mt dinner John saw his
father glance at the girl and then shake
with silent laughter. His hot blood de-
cided that his father was ridicullng the
girl Of his choice, and he determined to
call him to account for II.
He drove Miss Bennett to the station
TO catch the late New York train, and
when he got back he found his father
still up. The old man became silent
and refused him any explanation. All
he would say was that IL Miss Bennett
only had as much money as Alice Coop
er he would withdraw all his objections
and make John n liberal allowance.
Miss Cooper was daughter OF an
ex-resldcnt, who, dying, had left his
only child, Alice, large fortune. John
had never seen the girl and thought
| then that he never wanted to.
In the middle of September young
John announced that he was going to
New York and would like some funds
The money was Forthcoming. and the
old man even chuckled as he handed
John the notes In way that only
made matters worse.
John went to New York, taking his
nag Midnight with him. He was too
much attached to the horse TO leave
| him behind and looked forward to
some delightful gallops with Miss Ben
nett
For two days he hung about the ho-
tel, tuning and trying to make up his
mind to call on Miss Bennett One
morning he decided TO take n ride In
the park before breakfast.
Midnight was a handful and needed
all his attention for some time. After
good gallop he quleted down and
began to act like n rational horse
again.
John was walking him along the
bride path and came on little crowd
OF persons, including some of the park
worSmen and n mounted policeman.
Standing near the group was hand
some Kentucky saddler, trembling all
over ana show ing unmistakablc signs
of having run away. The sldesaddle
on him was hanging on his flank, and
his mouth drlpped blood from an In
side cut There was blood on the rpo-
liceman's arm. Ills horse WAS quietly
watching the proceedings with mild
steady eyes. He had seen so many
similar accidents that II was really
quite bore to him.
John drew Midnight up and tried tc
get look nj the person they seemed