The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1914-01-02
Her Check
A Story of Old
New York
BY F., A. mitchell

city of New York. At that time the
residential area bordering the park,
which, inherlts its name from the CID
New Amsterdam fort located ON the
ground, Was very different section
from what it is now, To-day it is in
tegsected by elevated railroads, and
tile loungerS there are chiefly emil
grants or persons out of employment
Then. in the houses bordering upon the
park lived the most aristQcratic famt-
lies Of old New York
The gentleman mentioned was tail,
dignitied and wore the costume Of the
times, a beaver hat, RULED shirt front,
blue coat with brass buttons and n
flaring skirt; his pantaloons, rs they
were then called, tight except where
they covered his boots. The lady wore
the bonnet of the period, skirt Ia
lirectoire her shoulders covered with
a lace shawl. She was II descendant
of one of the original Dutch settlers
and n widow
II am going to ask YOU once more.
Mrs. Van Zandt and for the last time"
said the man, with that digniiicd court
illness which has now passed into
oblivion. Ito make me happy. You
may remember that n year ago. on this
very spot, 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 a lover, Mt least as a
dear friend. 1t is this that has cm-
bodened 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 a reply. In accordance
with the custom of those times the
lady's hand rested on hls.arm, He felt
her hand tremble. After a few mo
ments of silence she said:
81 trust. Mr.. Travers, that you Will
not think me lnsenSible of the honor
you would confer upon me; an honor
worthy. But If my son required my
undivided attention year ago lie
needs 1t still more now. Since you are
my very dear friend, ! will coniide In
you 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 Si,OOO"
1.-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 ]
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 stnndlng on the southern
most part OF the Battery looking
down the bay. few ships were at
anchor while one was coming under
full sail through the Narrows, the
setting sun gliding her canvas. Present
~ Mr.. Travers said.
"Will you permit me to hand your
check to Major Tilford. MADAME"
with what object?"
ut may be better that your son
should have nothing more to do with
the man
Perhaps you ARE right | shall con
slider myself under deep obligation
to YOU my dear Mr.. Travers, If you
will act I'm the matter for me-"
ION the contrary, feel highly
honored by your confidence"
They returned to Mrs Van Zandts
home. modest two story brick build
ing, In place of which a modern sky
scraper now stands. and Mrs. Van
Zandt took from a lady's pahogany
writing desk with claw feet n check
and handed it 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 a party of gentle
men we're supping at Fraunces' tavern
among their number Major Tilford
Mr.. Travers entered the dining room
and taking a seat. called for wine.
Then be 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.
The latter arose and, going to the table
where Mr.. Travers sat, bowed and said:
II am at your service, sir"
81 am commissioned to hand you n
check for money taken from boy
In his teens, who should have been
protected instead OF swlndled 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. n sense OF honor he did
not feel.
"Are you aware. sir" he said, "that
this Is an insult no gentleman can.
brook? Were It not for the prejudice
against the code engendered by the re-
cent affair between Mr. Hamilton and
Mr., Burr you should answer for 1t on
the field OF honor"
1.-THE prejudice against dueling you
speak OF arises from murder. not an
affair Of honor. ! have no fear OF los