Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-06

100 years ago. q gentleman and lady
were strolling 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 very different section
from what It is now. Today it is In
tersected by elevated railroads, and
the louDgers 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 and wore the costume Of the
times, a beaver hat, rIffied shirt front.
blue coat with brass buttons and a
fiaring skirt; his pantaloons. as they
were then called, tight except where
they covered his boots. The lady wore
the bonnet of the period, skirt a Ia
directoire. her shoulders covered with
a lace shawl. She was a descendant
of one of the original Dutch settlers
and a widow.
~ am going to ask you once more.
Mrs Van Zandt. and for the last time, -
said the man, with that dignified court
illness which has nov passed into
oblivion, Ito make me happy. You
may remember that year ago. on this
very spot, 1 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 love-, at least as 4
Ia sl,1N NO
boldened 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 n 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:
~ trust. Mr.. Travers, that you will
not think NE insensible of the honor
you would confer upon me; an honor.
/ must admit, of which l am scarcely
worthy But If my son required my
undivided attention year ago he
needs it still more now. Since you are
my very dear friend. will confide in
you IudI NE udS bcCOibc Wv
involved me-in a 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.
81 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 L
shall have trouble In keeping him
from the temptation. Now you can I'M
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
ly Mr.. Travers said:
"Will you permit me to hand your
check to Major Tilford. madam"
with what object:"
"It 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. IL you |
will act in the matter for me-
ION the contrary. feel highly |
honored by your confidence"
They returned to Mrs. Van Zandt's |
home. a modest two story brick build |
Ing, in place of which n modern sky
scraper now stands, and Mrs. Van
Zandt took from n lady's mahogany /
desk with claw feet a check
md handed it to Mr.. Travers. He
bent and kissed the hand from which
ne received it and, carefully avoiding
turning his back to its owner. with
lrew.
That same evening a party Of gentle
men were supping at Frances tavern,
among their number Major Tilford.
Mr. Trayers entered the dining room
md. taking seat. called for wine.
Then he r-rote on the back of one of
lis visiting cards a request for a few
words in private with Major Tilford
md sent the card to that gentleman.
The latter arose and. going to the table
where Mr. Travers sat, bowed and said:
II am at your service. sir"
II am commissioned to hcnd you a
heck for money taken from boy
n his teens, who should have been
protected instead of swindled by you"
He handed Tilford Mrs. Van Zandt's
heck. but the latter drew back. He
lad no sense Of honor, but could not
ell TO what this matter might lead.
he assumed a sense of honor he did
rot feel.
Are you aware. SIR" he said that
his is an insult no gentleman can
,rook? Were it not for the prejudice
gainst the code engendered by the re-
ent affair between Mr. Hamilton and
Ir. Burr you should answer for 1t on
he field Of honor"
THE prejudice against dueIing you
pc * Of arises from a murder. not an
nair Of honor. ] have NJ fear OF los :
~ any of my friends by a meeting