Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-12-16
Her Check
A Story of Old
New York
By F. A. mitchell


100 years ago, a gentleman and lady
were strolling on the Battery In the
city of New York. At that time the
residential area bordering the park,
, which inherlts Its name from the old
New Amsterdam fort located on the
ground, was very different section
3, from what it is now. Today 1t Is In.
tersected by elevated railroads, and
the loungers there are chiefly emil
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,
dignif1ed and wore the costume of the
! times, q beaver hat, ruflled shirt front,
blue coat with brass buttons and a
fiaring skirt; his pantaloons, as they
We're then called, tight except where
! they covered his boots. The lady wore
the bonnet Of the period, skirt la
directoire, her shoulders covered with
a lace shawl. She was a descendant
Of one Of the original Dutch settlers
and a widow.
II am going to ask you once more,
Mrs. Van Zandt. and for the last time. v
said the man, with that dignified court.
illness which has now passed into
oblivion, ito 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, If not as lover, ut least as 4
dear friend. 1t is this that has em'
bodened me to ask you to reconsider
your refusal and confer upon me the
greatest happiness a woman can be
| stow upon man."
Having made this stilted proposal,
he waited for reply. In accordance
with the custom Of those times the
lady's hand rested on his arm. He felt
her hand tremble. After few mo-
ments Of silence she said:
81 trust. Mr.. Travers, that you VIII
| not think me insensible Of the honoi
| YOU would confer upon me; an honor
must admit. Of which / am scarcely
! worthy. But II my son required my
undivided attention year ago he
needs it still more now. Since you are
my very dear friend. I will confide In
vou that he has become involved-has
involved me-in gambling debt. This
Major Tilford, 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"
THE rascal" muttered Mr.. Travers.
Il have drawn my check for the
amount, and Frank will tomorrow pay
tbe Indebtedness. He has given me
his solemn promise never again to play
y. cards for money. But l know l
shall have trouble in keeping him
from the temptation. Now you can un
derstand why he needs my first con-
Sideration."
Tie lovers were silent for time.
They were standing on the southern
most part Of the Battery looking
down the bay. A few ships were Mt
anchor. while one was coming under
full sail through the Narrows. the
setting sun gliding her canvas. Present
ly Mr. Travers said:
"Will you permit me to hand your
check to Major Tllford. madam"
with what obJect2"
ut may be better that your son
should have nothing more to do with
the man."
perhaps you are right l shall con
slider myself under deep obligation
to you. my dear Mr.. Travers. II you
will act in the matter for me-
"On the contrary, I feel highly
honored by your confidence.
They returned to Mrs. Van Zandts
home, a modest two story brick build
ing, In place Of which modern sky
scraper now stands. and Mrs. Van
Zandt took from a lady's mahogany
writing desk with claw feet check
and handed 1t to Mr.. Travers. He
bent and kissed the hand from which
he received 1t and, carefully avoiding
turning his back to its owner. with
drew.
That same evening n party of gentle
men were supping at Fraunces' tavern,
among their number Major Tilford.
Mr.. Travers entered the dining room
and, taking a seat, called for wine.
Then he wrote on the back of one OF
his visiting cards a request for few
words in private with Major Tilford
and sent the card to that gentleman.
The latter arose and, going to the table
where Mr.. Travers sat, bowed and said
81 am at your service, sir"
81 am commissioned to hand you
check for money taken from boy
In his teens. who should have been
protected instead Of swindled by you"
He handed Tilford Mrs Van Zandts
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 be did
not feel.
"Are you aware. sir" he said, that
this is an insult no gentleman can
brook? Were 1t not for the prejudice
against the code engendered by the re-
rent affair between Mr.. Hamilton and
Mr.. Burr you should answer for 1t on
the field of honor"
"The prejudice against dueling you
speak Of arises from murder. not an
affair Of honor. have no fear Of los
ing any Of my friends by a meeting
with YOU"
"Be it so, sir. 1 shall send friend
to YOU"
zone moment, sir. The Indy whose
son you have swindled must not be
brought into this affair, and 1t Is to
your interest, sir, that its real cause
should be concealed. Return to your
friends Presently will arise to leave
the room. Place your foot in such po'
sitlon that may trip OIL 1t. l will re-
taliate by drawing my glove across
your face. You can then send your
friend to me without the true cause
Of the difference between US being
known"
"As you like, sir. Meanwhile you
may keep the check. If you kill me
you may return 1t to the lady who
wrote It. II I kill YOU
"You can take such action concern
ing II as YOU see fit. II you choose now