The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-12

4
| ed a diversion. An idea struck him, anC
as result there appeared in Winnepef
newspaper an advertisement that reac
| like this:
Amy young woman wishing to Learn
something to her advantage and TO Sc
cure pleasant home will communicate
| with
A fictitious name was given, and the
| answers were to be addressed in care OF
the newspaper.
In another newspaper an advertisement
requested any young man wishing to Sc
cure home on easy terms TO write tc
him.
Inasmuch as his own romance had fail
| ed so miserabIy. the eccentric young Capt
Roper-Curzon decided to furnish a ro-
nance for others.
There was no lack of applicants. The
Captain made selection from among the
young women and from the young men
! He was careful to choose those he con-
sidered the best specimens mentally and
physically, and the two he thought would
be the best suited to each other.
He went to them separately and told
them what was in his mind. If they
minutes after they met for the first time
they would have a house furniture and
all. The young couple agreed.
He brought them together. had min
lister waiting and they were promptly
married. He also furnished the bridal
dinner.
Then it occurred to him that the pair
ought to have a wedding trip, so he took
them to Toronto and afterward to Boston.
They had everything that money could
buy-the finest suits in the best hotels,
the most elaborate dinners and carriages
at their disposal. They were permitted
to buy everything they wanted in the way
of clothes.
THAT was really a delightful expert
ence," said Capt Roper-Curzon ren1in-
iscently. Those people had the jolliest
kind of time. don't know what it cost
me-something more than $4,000, / believe.
They were in Toronto only a couple of
days, and practically all Of this sum was
spent in New York in two weeks. OF
course he took the six friends along with
him to add to the general gayety.
The newly married pair were sent back
to Winnepeg to occupy the house he had
given them, while the Captain and his
friends decided that they would go to
San Francisco. He was still paying the
bills and they were glad to 60
They proved the liues Of Eugene Field
THE paint keeps getting redder the fur
Their West you 60" They made things
hum. In Denver Capt. Roper-Curzon met
young woman who reminded him Of his
sweetheart, and he presented her with
diamond sunburst that cost $1,000.
He didn't stay long in the West. but
went back to Toronto. He had not sue
ceeded in forgetting his old sweetheart.
Melancholy possessed him. He resolved
to give dinner that was in harmony with
his state of mind. His famous dead
mans feast was the result.
The dinner took place on Friday, the
IS day of the month. and thirteen covers
were laid. There We're thirteen courses,
thirteen walters and an orchestra shroud-
ed in black composed of thirteen players.
In the centre of the table was a per-
feet articulated skeleton, which at certain
intervals stood up and ratified its bones
while the orchestra played a gruesome
dirge. Beside each plate was skull, and
in each eye socket was a tiny electric
bulb, while on each frontal bone were
the lines:
The house deserted the tenant fed.
/ shed a light about this spread.
Behold this hollow den of thought;
l toiled, but lo the world remembers
not;
So laugh and let thy mirth be true,
And fear not for eternity.
At the stroke of every hour figures
dressed as Shades passed before the din
ers. and when midnight tolled a curtain
rolled up disclosing a Broken scene, while
bats fiuttered about the room.
This pleasant conceit cost Capt. Roper
Curzon something over $1,000.
Then he went in for horses, thorough
breds only, and the manner in which he
rode them was widely talked about. They
said that he surely was tempting death,
which was not true, for he is naturally a
young man. He bought Vic
toria, which won first prize in the high
jumping contest in the Toronto Horse
Show, and gave his stabble boys diamond
scarf pins as souvenirs of the victory.
Last fall he invited five friends from
New York and Cleveland to go with him
on hunting trip to Muskoka- He provid-
ed everything, including a special train,
and the completeness and lavishness of his
amazed his guests. The
bag included nine deer and one bear.
On Feb. last Capt Roper Curzon an
nounced that he was broke. Since then
he has been taking a real and cheerful
interest in life. AT thirty-one he is about
to start forth TO make his fortune. He is
coming to New York, and he is optimistic
a bout Il.