Graham guardian., 1913-11-14
Her Check
A Story of Old
New York
BY F. A. mitchell

a
We're strolllng on the Battery in the
city Of New York. At that time the
residential area bordering the park,
which inherits its name from the old
New Amsterdam fort located on the
ground, was a very different section
from what 1t Is now. Today 1t Is in
tersected by elevated railroads, and
the loungers there are chiefly emf
grants or persons out of employment
Then in the houses bordering upon the
park lived the most aristocratic fami-
lies Of old New York.
The gentleman mentioned was tall,
dignifed aud wore the costume of the
times. a beaver hat, ruffied shirt front
blue coat with brass buttons and a
daring skirt; his pantaloons, as they
Were then called. tight except where
they covered his boots. The lady wore
the bonnet of the period. skirt Ia
dlrectolre. her shoulders covered with
lace shawl. She was a descendant
Of one Of the original Dutch settlers
and widow.
81 am going to ask you once more,
Mrs. Van Zandt. and for the last time"
said the man. with that digniHed court
hness which has now passed into
oblivion, "to make me happy. You
may remember that year ago. on this
very spot, I asked you to honor me
by becoming my wife. You told me
that you lived and would live only for
your son. Since then you have treated
me, II not as lover. at least as a
dear friend. II Is this that has em
boldened me to ask you to reconsider
your refusal and confer upon me the
greatest happiness woman can be
stow upon man"
Having made this stilted proposal,
he waited for reply. In accordance
with the custom Of those times the
iady's hand rested on his arm. He felt
her hand tremble, After few mo
ments Of silence she said:
.T trust, Mr.. Travers. that you will
not think me insensible of the honor
you would confer upon me; an honor,
i must admit. of which ! am scarcely
worthy. But n my son required my
undivided attention year ago he
needs II still more now. Since you are
my very dear friend. I will confde In
you that he has become involved has
involved me-in a gambling debt, This
Major Tllford. who has recently come
TO New York. and who has secured
social recognition by some Of our best
families. has succeeded in winning
from Frank at cards some $4,000"
1.-THE rascai!" muttered Mr. Travers
N 'T have drawn my check for the
amount. and Frank will tomorrow pay
THE indebtedness. He has given me
his solemn promise never again to play
at cards for money. But | know !
shall have trouble In keeping him
from the temptation. Now you can un-
derstand why he needs my first con-
sideration."
The lovers were silent for time,
They were standing on the southern.
most part OF the Battery looking
down the bay. A few ships were at
anchor, while one was coming under
full sail through the Narrows. the
setting sun gliding her canvas. Present
Ny Mr.. Travers said:
I"wili you permit me to hand your
check to Major Tllford, madam
with what objects"
'Tt may be better that your son
should have nothing more to do with
the man"
perhaps you are right shall con-
slider myself under a deep obligation
TO you, my dear Mr.. Travers, II you
viii act In the matter for me-"
"On the contrary. I feel highly
honored by your confidence"
They returned to Mrs Van Zandt's
home. modest two STORY brick build
Ing. In place Of which modern sky
scraper now stands. and Mrs. Van
Zandt took from lady's mahogany
writing desk with claw feet a check
and handed II to Mr.. Travers. He
bent and kissed the hand from which
? he received It and, carefully avoiding
turning his back to It's owner, with
drew.
That same evening a party Of gentle
men were supping at Fraunces' tavern,
among their number Major Tilford.
Mr.. Travers entered the dining room
and. taking seat, called for wine.
Then he wrote on the back Of one Of
his visiting cards request for few
words In private with Major Tilford
and sent the card to that gentleman.
y The latter arose and, going to the table
where Mr.. Travers sat, bowed and said:
IT am at your service SIR"
"l am commissioned to'hand you
check for money taken from a boy
In his teens. who should have been
protected instead Of swindled by you"
He handed Tilford Mrs. Van Zandt's
check. but the latter drew back He
had no sense of honor, but could not
tell TO what this matter might lead.
He assumed sense Of honor he did
not feel.
"Are you aware SIR" he said. that
this Is an insult no gentleman can
brook? Were II not for the prejudice
against the code engendered by the re-
cent affair between Mr.. Hamilton and
Mr.. Burr you should answer for It on
the held Of honor"
'The prejudice against dueling you
speak of arises from murder, not an
affair OF honor I have no fear Of los
ing any of my friends by meeting
with you"
BE it so. SIR. I shall send friend
10 you"
"one moment. sir The lady whose
son you have swindled must not be