Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1913-09-12

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3, THOMAS R. DEAN

Al Years ago there We're two men living
In one of the great cities on the east
ern coast of the United States who,
though they were father and son, were
chums. They were rich and ultra fash
ionable, which meant then something
far different from what it would mean
today. In those days the fashionable
people Of the land were refined and
intelligent. Now to be ultra fashiona-
BILE has questionable sound. One may
be ultra fashionable. yet devoid of or
binary breeding.
The tive men referred to looked like
gentlemen and acted like gentlemen
Shakespeare has described them in his
words Ito the manner born" They
were always seen together on the
street. and one looking ut them would
think them a pair Of noblemen belong
ing to some lordly English estate. In
society they were known as "Dombey
& Son." .-.-:. p.
The father. who was widower.
drifted on. thinking that their COM
panionship would last as long as they
lived. What shock, then. was it
to him when his son announced to his
father his engagement! The older man
could not believe his senses. But when
he learned that his son was to marry
a girl with no fortune. that the young
couple could not retain the position
in society that their ancestors. the
Van G.'s, had held for 200 years, his
desolation was complete. He could not
conceive Of himself failing to appear
at the functions he had from his youth
been accustomed to attend, and to so
to them without the companion who
had always gone. with him would be
worse than not going at all. f.
The FIRST quarrel the two had ever
had followed. You shall not marry"
said the elder Van G.. unless you
marry one Of our set and one with
sufficient fortune to enable you to keep
up position as q married man.
. II have asked lady to be my wife,"
replied the son. land will not turn
upon nay invitation" '1
.".Very we'll. then. you must shift for
yourself" :. ....-..-
Harry Van G. married a lovely girl:
but, since it would have required an
income equal to his fathers to take
her in the society he had been used to
going with. he did not attempt it. But
this in comparison with the young
couples real condition was a baga-
telle. They had nothing whatever to
live on and sank rapidly into poverty
The elder Van G.. though 1t nearly
broke his: heart to 60 to functions
without his double. chose what he con
sidered the Lesser Of two evils and
went He saw nothing Of his xon-not
that he blamed him or was angry will,
him. but that he considered Harry out
Of the chosen set who had composed
society. since. colonial days and II
would be contamination for him to as
sociate with any one except the elect. "
One day the elder Van G.-thi> was
several years since he had parted with
his so0-stepped out Of his club to q
carriage that had been GALLEY for him.
Elega ntly dressed. rs usual. his head
covered with shining silk hat. bts
feet with white spats. his hands With
tan gloves and carrying a cane. he
stood for moment looking up and
down the street. then went down to
the cab. The eOachman annoyed him.
for instead Of looking straight aheud
Of him he turned his face in the op.
posite direction.
Mr.. Van &. got into the carriage and
told the cabman 10 drive him to- the
home of a lady social leader. On ar.
irving at the door some friends Of the
aristocrat happened to pass. and he
stopped ON the sidewalk to speak to
them. When doing 80 be happened to
cast his eve to the cOachman and rec
ogniZed his son. He was too we'll bred
to show surprise or shock ut even this
Nor did he in any way
recognize the fact that his own off,
spring was his cabman. When his
friends passed on he. went into the
house before which he stood and after
making call came out. directed the
Couch uI4SC uNA' ~ AA0 uVA3Ss
tipped him and went inside
The next day the same cab was
called at the same club for the same
man. On this occasion Mr.. Van G.
was dressed in his most ordinary cos
tune. As he entered the cab without
looking at his cabman he gave his di-
rectiOns as to where he wished to be
driven.
; The cabman started. He was direct
ed to take his fare to his own humble
domicile. He whipped up his horse
with as much sang froid as If he had
been directed to drive TO- a railway sta.
ton, considering as be proceeded what
he should do 1t was evident that his
father had recognized him and was go
ing to see him and his wife. but what
for he did not know. Harry and bis
wife lived in a small suit of rooms in
a cheap fatho,lse. On reaching 1t his
father without the least unbending
said:
Gan you direct me to the rooms OF
Harry Van ca"
.'Certainly. sir" said the coachman.
touching his hat respectfully. and he.