The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-01-15
Her CHECK
A Story of Old
New York
BY r. a. Mitchell

were strolllng on the Battery In the
city of New York. At that time the
residential area bordering the park.
which inhcrits Its name from the old
New Amsterdam fort located on the
ground. was very different section
from what IL Is now. Today II In In.
tersected by elevated railroads. and
the loungcrs 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.
dignited aud wore the costume Of the
times, u beaver hat. rutlied shirt front.
blue coat with brass buttons and u
faring 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
n lace shawl She was descendant
Of one of the original Dutch settlers
and widow.
u am going To ask you once more.
Mrs. Van Iandt. and for the last time. -
said the man. with that dignified court
illness which has now passed into
oblivion. TO make me happy. You
may remember that year ago. on this
very spot. I asked you tNphonor me
by becoming my wife. You told me
that you lived aud would live only for
your son. Since then you have treated
me. IL not rs "A lover. at least as q
dear friend II Is this that has en-
boldened me 60 ask you Ia reconsider
your refusal aud confer upon me tho
greatest happiness woman can he
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. lie felt
her hand trcmblc After few mo
'ments Of silence she said:
81 trust Mr. Travers, that you will
you would confer upon me. an honor,
I must admit. of which I am scarcely
worthy hut II my son required my
undivided attention year ago he
needs IL siill more now. Since you are
my very dear friend. I will contidc In
you that ne has become involved has
involved me-in a gambling debt. This
Major Tilford. who has recently come
10 New York. and who has secured
social recognition by some OF our best
families. has succeeded I'm winning
from Frank ut cards some $1,000"
The rascal" muttered Mr. Travers.
II have drawn my check for the
amount. and Frank will tomorrow pay
the indebtedness. lie has given me
his solemn promise never again 10 play
at cards for money. But | know ]
shall have trouble In keeping him
from the temptation. Now you can nm
derstand why be needs my first con
sideration."
The lovers were silent for a time.
They were standing 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:
"Wi,l you permit me 10 hand your
check to Major Tilford. madam
with what obJectf"
ut may he 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
will act In the matter for me-"
ION the contrary. feel highly
honored by your confidence"
They returned TO Mrs. Van Zandt's
home. n modest two story brick build
Ing. In place Of which n modern sky
scraper now stands. and Mrs. Van
Zahdt took from lady's mahogany
writing desk with claw feet check
and handed II To Mr.. Travers. lie
bent and kissed the hand from which
he received Il and. carefully avoiding
turning his back TO Its owner. with
drew.
That sane evening 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 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.. Trayers sat. bowed and said:
II am at your service. SIR"
81 am commissioned 10 hand you a
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 ~ honor. but could not
tell TO what this matter might lead.
He assumed a sense OF honor he ala
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 II ON
the ield Of honor"
''fhe prejudice against dueling you
speak OF arises from a murder. not an
affair Of honor have M fear OF los