Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-19

paper exploits were made the subject
of topical song and rendered with
great success at n leading vaudeville
hall. For some time he had led % life
free from care in company with con-
in his reflected fame.
At the office of The Record Mr..
iestor had Il luxurious private room,
as beiitted his rank as the special
envoy of the paper. One afternoon
he received message from his old
friend Sidney Hammond, stating that
he would be in the city for two days,
at the end of which time he would be
compelled to make western trip on
important business. Hestor was de-
lighted to hear from Sidney Ham
mond. and at once arranged a theater
and supper party in his honor.
a party of eight occupied the Hes
tor box at the opera and thoroughly
enjoyed 'La Bohcme." Walter r..
tlcstor and Miss Edith lie Roy; Sid
ney Hammond and Miss Olive, his
sister: Mr.. Converse and Miss De
Melville: Mr.. Blake and Miss Mere
nth. constituted the merry group,
which at the conclusion of the opera,
mingled in the fashionable mob, and
after the usual delays and annoy
inces found themselves in carriages
speeding toward Fifth avenue.
There was "A crush of carriages in
front of Dclmonico's. 1t was the
night hour when New York attains
The height of its feverish activity.
The avenue was alive with swift-mov-
ny equipages. An army of lackeys
was busy receiving the arriving
quests. Inside the massive doors. the
strains of an orchestra throbbed in
an air of heavy perfume. The glare
Of light from thousands of electric
globes was reflected from glass and
marble, but subducd by palms and
masses of roses.
n table had been RESERVED for Mr..
Hestor and his guest brave in it's
array of linen and flowers. and its
glitter of cut glass. As Mr.. Hestor
entered the hall he was recognized
by scores of friends and for few
ton.
When this social duty was ended.
Miss Edith lie Roy took prompt
charge of certain details--as was the
wont of this vi>acious Young woman.
Mr.. lIestOr had seated himself next
to Sidney Hammond. Miss lie Roy
had no idea of conserving to such an
arrangement.
"Nou are the host. Mr.. Hestor."
she said. land You must take the
head of the table. Miss Meredith
will sit At your right, and Mr.. Ham
mond will take his place next to her.
AIN not going to permit You and
others conversation. | can trust you
Miss Meredith. to keep Sidney and
Walter from entering into any dis
cussion of their drcary schemes for
rcconstructing the universe"
The dinner went on merrily amid
a general conversation in which n
limitless number of topics were in
iroduced. discussed, and dismissed.
Terrapn followed bouilon. and can
vas back ducks were served with some
rare old Burgundy. The spacious
dining halls had in the meantime be-
come crowded. and the orchestra en-
countercd a noisy rival in the laugh
ter and conversation which mingled
in harmonious blend from hun
dreds of tables. Dainty preparations
Of she'll fish gave place to a salad.
followed by glace. which Miss lie
Roy pronounced - dream in old
rose" While the ladies discussed
bonbons, the gentlemen lit cigars or
cigarettes. and wooed the god of Mic
otinc with all the ardor which fol
lows the enjoyment of so sumptuous
a repast
While Miss lie Roy was energetic
rally defending her favorite French
author from an attack unwittingly
made by Mr.. Blake. her plans so care
fully arranged at the opening of the
dinner were disrupted by Sidney
Hammond, who readily persuaded
Miss Meredith TO change places with
him. Miss lie Roy smiled her scorn
when she discovered this duplcity
and PROMPTLY announced social
boycott against the ungallant Hestor
and Hammond, who already were alb
Forbed in a quiet conversation on a
topic which seemed of special inter-
est to them.
Sidney Hammond was college
mate of Walter iIcstor. He was the
stroke oar in the famous crew which
humbled the pride of the rival uni
versity. Unlike many of the athletic
heroes of the institutions of learn
ing Hammond combined the frame of
"A muscular Apollo with the brain of
the scholar. He was even more hero
with the professors than on the cam
pus. The text and reference books
prescribed in the curriculum served
but to stimulate his thirst for re-
search. Though abundantly BILE,
through the generosity of his father,
TO enter into all Of the pleasures of
the gilded class, he performed the
rare feat of remaining n studious re-
cluse and retaining his popularity
During the years spent in college
he was an intellectual and physical
machine, seemingly incapable of men
tai or bodily fatigue. The few
friends who enjoyed the privilege of
his apartments found him the best
of hosts. with a wcll-appointed side
board and the choicest of cigars. Ex-