,h -
CHAPTER XVII
MAPir VAN VOP.ST M
ILLU5TPAT1ON5/4 PAY WALTERS
fir
A.St) 3 WfiU ¿tr'-M.vr
SYNOPSIS.
B u - op H ouse
L ooks T öday
F the efforts of certain patriotic 1 been humiliating in the extreme to
societies are successful, the state the pride and arrogance of George tho
of New York will purchase and Third’s government to be obliged to
the
preserve the historic Billop house receive this proscribed rebel
the
at Tottenville. Staten Island. It first minister plenipotentiary
Is one of the few remaining relics Of Culled States of America.
colonial times within the limits of
House Built In 1673.
Greater New York.
The old house, solidly built of stone
Not only has this venerable man
and brick in the early colonial style,
sion the distinction of being the oldest
faces Staten Island sound, and is
house in New York state, but within
about half a mile south of the pres
its walls was enacted one of the most ent village of Tottenvlllc.
It was
stirring incidents of the Revolution.
built about 1673 by Christopher Billop,
For it was here, on September 11,
a sturdy English sea captain, who
1776. that Lord Howe, representing
owned a small ship called the Bentley,
the British government, had an inter
which settled an Interesting dispute.
view with Benjamin Franklin of Penn
In 166S there was a controversy re
sylvania. John Adams of Massachu
garding the ownership of Staten Is
setts and Edward Rutledge of South
land. and to settle It the duke of York
Carolina. delegates from the American
decided that If the island could be
congress, then sitting in Philadelphia circumnavigated within twenty-four
Upon the result of this meeting the
hours It should remain in his Jurisdic
fate of the Revolution largely de- tion, otherwise It should belong to
pended.
New Jersey.
Billop undertook the
About three weeks previously Wash task of sailing round the Island, and
tngton's army had been defeated in
accomplished it within the 24 hours,
the battle of Long Island and the out thus securing it for the duke. In re
look fcr the American cause was dis
turn for the service he was granted
couraging
It was then that Lord
1,163 acres at the extreme end of the
Howe, convinced that the colonists
island, which was called, after his
were ready to lay down their arms,
ship, the Manor Bentley. The village
proposed a conference on neutral
of Tottenvflle, which occupies a part
ground and the Billop house was se
of the original estate, was originally
lected as the place of meeting. This
known as Bentley manor.
was the only peace conference at
While living on his estate Billop
tempted during the Revolution and its
was appointed subcollector of the port
failure marked the parting of the ways
of New York, but, like some office
between Great Britain and the Ameri
holders of modern times, he lost hls
can colonies.
position through “making offensive po
Story of the Conference.
litical speeches in public.” Tn dis
Some interesting facts concerning gust he retired to his estate, where
this momentous Interview have been he lived until 16S2, when he sailed for
preserved in the Revolutionary rec England In his ship, which was lost
ords. The delegates, we learn, spent on the voyage.
two days in traveling from Philadel
His daughter. Eugenia, married her
phia to Perth Amboy, where Lord cousin, Thomas Farmar, who assumed
Howe’s barge was In readiness to re the name of Billop. During the Revo
ceive them. A gentlemanly officer of lution his son commanded a regiment
the British grenadiers who met the of loyalists, the family being pro
«ielegates offered to remain as hos nounced Tories.
Fcr this reason
tage for their safe return, but Adams they were declared traitors, and at the
remarked. "This is childish: we want close of the Revolution the estate was
no such pledge." The other delegates confiscated, and the Billops moved to
agreed and at their request the officer Canada
embarked with them and crossed to
After its forfeiture the property was
Staten Island.
purchased by Philip Van Cortlandt in
Lord Howe walked down to the wa 1794. Since that time it has passed
ter’s edge’ as the barge approached, through several bands, until only a
and perceiving hls officer with the small part of the original estate re
committee, called out: "Gentlemen, mains. The present owner Is Charles
you pay me a very high compliment, Leland, a retired New York banker.
and you may depend upon it I will
Old Mansion Little Changed.
consider it the most sacred of things.”
The old mansion, which has weath
He shook hands warmly with Frank
ered the storms of nearly two and a
lin. whom he had known in London,
half centuries, looks strong enough
and who Introduced his companions.
to last another century. Little change
Then they walked up to the old house
has been made in It since It was built.
between the lines of grenadiers, con
Its quaint rooms still contain the deep
versing pleasantly together.
embrasured windows, with small paned
For several weeks the house had
sashes, and curious cupboards, built
been occupied by soldiers, and was
into the walls. At the right of the en
as dirty as a stable, but one of the
front rooms had been cleaned and trance Is the room where the Revo I
lutionary
peace
conference
took
with moss and green branches was
place. The kitchen. In the basement,
converted Into a delightful bower
has a fireplace the entire width of the
Here a luncheon of "good claret,
house. In which several logs of tree
bread, cold ham, tongues and mutton
size can easily be placed. In the mid
was immediately served.” After this,
dle is a long crane of hand-wrought
the British commissioner opened the
conference, expressing his attachment iron holding two enormous kettles.
Under the main entrance there Is a
to America and declaring that "should
America fall he should fee! and lament dark cellar, where, tradition says.
it like the loss of a brother.” With Revolutionary patriots were confined
and ill treated by thh Tory Billops.
graceful ease Franklin replied Iron
ically: “My lord we will use our ut Near the house are some oaks with
gnarled trunks, locking centuries old.
most endeavor to spare you that mor-
beneath which British soldiers once
ti flea'I on.”
made their camp.
John Adams’ Independence.
Like all old houses, the Billop man
, Howe stated his position in flowing
language, and asked the delegates if sion has Its fancied ghosts. One of
they were willing to lay aside their these is said to be the restless spirit
■distinction as members of the con of a British grenadier, killed near by
gress and converse as individuals tip it^ a skirmish between loyalists and
revolutionists.
on the outline of a plan to Btay the
The other "ha’nt” Is the spirit of a
calamities of war.
They assented,
.Adams exclaiming with hls usual im Billop, a beautiful bride, murdered by
petuosity: "Your lordship may con her husband In a fit of Jealousy about
sider me In any character you please, one hundred and sixty years ago. Her
body was said to have been buried on
excepting that of a British subject.”
the threshold, and, strangely enough,
, The conversation lasted about four
tour*, but It came to nothing, except a skeleton was dug up there some
years ago and reinterred In the fam
ing that ft convinced the patriots the
ily burial plot adjoining the house.
fight for independence would have to
be continued to the bitter end. Howe Here may be seen several moss-cov-
ered stones, with half-oblftered Inscrip
was found to be wholly devoid of au
tions, dating from colonial times.
thority to treat with the colonists on
the basis of independence, and neither
Well Provided For.
party could make definite proposi
Mrs. Emberg—I suppose the" little
tions or promises. They separated
with the utmost show of courtesy, Neurtch baby has everything In the
Howe remarking as be bade the dele way of toys?
Mrs. Watkins—Yes, It even has a
gates adieu, "1 am sorry, gentlemen,
that you have had the trouble of com rattle-headed girl for a nurse.—Puck.
ing so far to so little purpose.”
Not Necessarily.
The consequence of Mr. Adams’ dis
play of independence at this famous
"Pop, tell mo one thing.”
interview was subsequently apparent
“What is that, son ?”
si ben his name was published in a list
“Do windfalls come from sitrtl
•f unpardonable rebels. It must have bursts?"
I
i
as it
I* Comte do Habron. captain of Fren h
cavalry, takra to hl* quarters to ralae t-y
hand a mottierleaa Irish terrier pup and
nairm It Pttehoune.
11« dlnea with the
Marquise d'Kaclianac and meet* Ml»»
Julia Redmond, American heir.-a*, who
•Inga for turn an tCnglKh ballad that
linger» In hl* memory
Habron I* ord-ro-t
to Alalrra. but I* not allowed to take
servant» or dog*
Ml*» Redmond offer* to
take »are of lite dog during hl* master'*
abarnt-e. but PUchoune, hom«al«-k for hl*
master. run» away from her
Tit» Mar
quise plana to marry Julia to the l»ue de
Tremont. Unknown to Sabron. Pltchoune
follows him to Algiers
Dog and saaster
meet and Sabron get* pertnlaalon from
the war minister to keen bl» dog with hint
Julia writ»» him that IMtehoune has run
away from her
He write» Julia of Ptt-
chouttr
The Due de Tremont And* the
Amerh-ait tielre»» capricious
A new»pa-
per r»i-,trt that Sabron 1» among the ml*»
Ing after an engagement with the natives
cause* Julia to confess to her aunt that
site loves him Sabron. wounded In an en
gagement, fail* Intn th* dry bed of *
river, and I* watched over by Pitchoun*
After a horrible night and day Pltchoune
leaves him
Julia *oes In search of Ha
bron. reported mlaalng.
Tremont take»
Julia and the Marquise to Alster* In hie
yacht. not knowing their errand.
CHAPTER
XVI—Continued.
With his godmother he was entirely
at ease. Ever since she had paid his
trifling debts when he was a young
man. he had adored her. Tremont,
always discreet and almost In love
with his godmother, kept her In a
state of great good humor always, ami
when she had suggested to him this
little party he had been delighted. In
speaking over the telephone the Mar
quise d'EsclIgnac had said very
firmly:
“My dear Robert, you understand
that this excursion engages you to
nothing."
"Oh, of course, marraine."
“We both need a change, and be
tween ourselves. Julia has a little mis
sion on foot.”
Tremont would be delighted to
help Miss Redmond carry it out.
Whom else should he ask?
"By all means, any one you like,"
said his godmother diplomatically.
"We want to sail the day after to
morrow." She felt safe, knowing
that no worldly people would accept
an Invitation on twenty-four hours'
notice.
"8o.” the Due de Tremont reflected,
as he hung up the receiver, “Miss
Redmond has a scheme, a mission!
Young girls do not have scheme*. a?!
missions In good French society."
"Mademoiselle,” he said to her. as
they walked up and down on the deck
in the pale sunset, In front of the
chair of the Marquise d'EsclIgnac. "I
never saw an ornament more becom
ing to a woman than the one you
wear.”
"The ornament. Monsieur?"
“On your sleeve
It Is so beautf-
ful. A string of pearls would not be
more beautiful, although your pearls
are lovely, too. Are all American girls
Red Cross members?"
"But of course not. Monsieur. Are
all girls anywhere one thing?”
"Yes," said the Due de Tremont,
"they are all charming, but there are
gradations."
"Do you think that we shall reach
Algiers tomorrow. Monsieur?'
“I hope not. Mademoiselle.
Miss Redmond turned her fine eyes
on him.
"You hope not?"
"I should like this voyage to last
forever. Mademoiselle."
"How ridiculous!”
Her look was so frank that he
laughed In spite of himself, and in
stead of following up the politeneas,
he asked:
"Why do you think of Algiers as a
field for nursing the sick, Mademoi
selle?"
"There has been quite a deputation
of the Red Cross women lately going
from Paris to the East.”
"But,” said the young man, "there
■re poor in Tarascon, and sick, too.
There is a great deal of poverty In
Nice, and Paris is the nearest of all.”
"The American girls are very Im
aginative,” said Julia Redmond. "We
must have some romance in all we
do."
"I And the American girls very
charming.” said Tremont.
"Do you know many. Monsieur?"
"Only one," he said serenely.
Miss Redmond changed the subject
quickly and cleverly, and before he
kn* v it, Tremont was telling her
stories about his own military serv
ice, which had been made in Africa.
He talked well and entertained them
both, and Julia Redmond listened
when hs told her of the desert, of its
charm and its desolation, and of Its
dangers An hour passed. The Mar
quise d’EsclIgnac took an ante
prandial stroll, Mimi mincing at her
heels.
"Ce pauvre Sabron!" said Tremont
"He has disappeared off the face of
the earth, What a horrible thing It
was, Mademoiselle! I knew him in
Paris; I remember meeting him
■gain the night before he left the
Midi. He was a fine fellow with a
career before him, hls friends say.”
"What do you think has become of
Monsieur de Sabron?”
Miss Redmond, so far, had only
been able to ask this questioa of her
aunt and of the stars. None of then i
had been able to toll her. Tremont
shrugged hl* shoulders thoughtfully.
"He may have dragged himself
away to die In some ambush that they
have not discovered, or likely he ha*
been take captive, Is pauvre diable!”
"France will do all it can. Mon
sieur . . .“
“They will do all they can, which
Is to wait. An extraordinary measure,
if taken Just now, would probably re
sult In Habron being put to death by
his captors. He may be found to
morrow— ho may never MfYound."
A slight murmur from the young
girl beside him made Tremont look
at her. He saw that her bauds were
clasped and that her face was quite
white, her eyes staring fixedly before
her, out toward Africa. Tremout
said:
“You are compassion Itself, Made-
molselle; you have a tender heart.
No wonder you wear the Red Cross
I am a soldier. Mademoiselle. I thank
you for all soldiers I thank you for
Habron
but, we must not talk
of such things. •• ■
He thought her very charming, both
romantic and Idealistic. Rhe would
make a delightful friend. Would she
not be too Intense for a wife? How
ever. many women of fashion Joined
the Red Cross. Tremont was a com
monplace man. conventional In his
heart and In bls tastes.
"My children.” »aid the marquise,
coming up to them with Mimi In her
arms, “you are as s ou* as though
we were on a boat bound for the
North Pole and expected to live on
tinned things and salt fl*h. Aren’t
you hungry. Julia? Robert, take Mltnl
to my maid, will you? Julia,” said
her aunt as Tremont went away with
the little dog. "you look dramatic, my
dear; you're pale as death In spite of
this divine air and this enchanting
sea."
Hhe linked her arm through
her niece's. “Take a brisk walk with
me for five minutes and whip up your
blood
1 believe you wore on the
point of making Tremont some un-
wise confession."
“I assure you no. ma tante.”
“Isn't Bob a darling, Julia?"
"Awfully," returned her niece ab-
•ent mlndedly.
“He's the most eligible young man
In Paris, Julia, and the moat difficult
to please."
"Ma tante,” said the girl In a low
tone, “he tells mo that France at
present can do practically nothing
Out of ths Dsssrt.
From a dreamy Hills villa, whoss
walls wore« jiljramlng with bougaln-
vlllsa, Ml** Redmond looked over Al
glors, over the tumult and hutn of It,
to ths *ea. Tremont, by her aide,
looked at her. From head to foot
the girl wa* In white
On one ■ Ide
tho bougainvillea laid Its «carlot flow
era against the stainless linen of her
dross, and on her other arm was Ilia
Red Cross.
The American girl and the French
man had become ths best of friend*
Hha considered him a •Int'ere com
panion and an unconscious confed
erate, lie had nut yet decided wbat
hs thought of her. or how. Ills prom
ise to remain on the yacht had been
broken and hs paid his godmother
■ml Miss Redmond constant visits at
their villa, which tho marquise ranted
for the season.
There were times when Tremont
thought Mis* Redmond's exile a fa
natlcal one. but he always found her
fascinating and a lovely woman, sod
ho wondered what it was that kept
him from laying his title and his for
tune at her feet. It hud been under
stood between tho godmother and
himself that ho was to court MU*
Redmond a' I'amerlcalno.
“Rhe has been brought up in ■uch
a shocking fashion. Robert, that noth-
but American love making
AS NAMED IN HAWAII
NOMENCLATURE OF THE NATIVLS
SINQULARLY PICTURESQUE.
Mrs. Oystsr, Atlantlo Ocean and Stom
ach Ar, Examples—Mais Infant
Chrletened "Mrs. Tompkins,**
Girl Named "Samoon."
The natives of Hawaii are singular
ly picturesque In thvlr choice of
names. Mrs. Scissors, The Thief,The
Ohost, Tho Fool, Tbo Man Who
Washes Ills Dimple*. Mr*. Oyster, The
Woary IJxard, The Husband of
Kanola (a male dog). Tho Groat Ket
tle, The Nose. Tho Atlantic Ocoan.Tho
Stomach. l’oor I’ussy. Mrs. Turkey,
Tho Tenth Heaven, are all names that
have appeared In the city directory.
They are often careless of the gen
der or appropriateness of tho names
they take. A householder on Boro-
tanla street, Honolulu. Is called Tho
Pretty Woman (Wahlno Malksl); a
malo Infant was lately christened
Mrs. Tompkins; one little girl Is
named Ramson; another. Tho Man;
Susan (Kukonat Is a boy. *o are
Polly Harsh, Jane Peter and Henry
Ann. A pretty little maid ha* been
named by her fond parents Tho Pig
Hty I Hale Pua). For somo uuknown
reason—or for no reason st all—one
boy la named Tho Rat Eater (Kamea
Ol 1 Ole).
Reverend Doctor Coan of Hawaii
po**e«a»d the love of bls flock. Ono
morning a child was presented for
baptism whose name was given by
tho parents, Mlkla; when the cere
mony wa* finished the parents assured
the doctor that they had named tho
baby for him
"But my name Is not Michael," said
the doctor, supposing Mlkla to bo
aimed thereat.
"We always hear your wife call
you "Mlkla'" answered the mother.
She had mistaken Mrs Coan’s famil
iar “my dear" for her husband's glveu
name.
An old servant in Doctor Wight’s
family, at Kohala, caused her grand
child to be baptized In church. Tho
dix t<>r (Kauka); that was Its only
name. By way of compliment to tho
early physicians, many children wore
named after tbelr drug*, a* Joseph
Hqullls. Mias Rhubarb. The Emetic,
The Doctor M ho Peeps In at a Door.
Names uncomplimentary, or even
disgusting, are willingly borne by
their owners, other* convey a pleas
Sang for tno Sick.
ing and graceful sentiment. Among
appeal to her. Vou will have to
tho latter are the Arch of Heaven (Ka
love to her, Robert Can you du
Ria lJ»nl>
• r of Twilight (Ka
"But, marraine, I might a*
Wia l.lnla). The Dellcato Wreath (Ka
makn love to a slater of charity.”
Lei tna LID. The name of Lillu O
“Th^rn was la Hells llelolse, anti no Kalanl, the queen now In retirement,
worn ism I* Immuno.”
moan* A Lily tn the Hky.—Youth’s
^Iilnk *11» I* engaged tp aome Companion.
American cowboy who will come and
claim her, marraine."
Under False Prstsnssa.
His godmother was offended.
Many persons are under the impres
“Rubbish!” she said. “Hhs la en- sion that America Its* few. If any. na
gagt-d to no one. Bob
Hhe 1s an tive plants worthy of cultivation in
Idealist, a Rosalind; but that will not the homo garden. They have been
prevent her from making an excel accustomed to look upon them as
iont wife.”
weeds and wild things, and *o unfa
"She I* certainly very beautiful," miliar are they with native flowers
said the Due du Tremont, and ho told that they fall to recognise them when
Julia so.
they meet them outside their native
"You are very beautiful,” snld the haunts. A writer tell* how ha trans
Due de Tremont to Miss Redmond, as planted a stalk of goldenrod from a
■ he leaned on the balcony of tho villa fence corner In the pasture to a place
Tim bougainvillea loaned against her
In his garden.
It flourished luxuri
breast. "When you stood In tho hos antly, and sent up many stalks as
pital under tho window and sang to high a* a man'* head, each crowned
the poor dovlls, you looked like an with a areal plume of brilliant Bow-
angel.”
era.
“Poor thing*!“ said Julia Redmond
A nelghbor wan attracted by tho
"Do you think that they liked It?"
beauty of the plant, and declared It
"Liked It!” exclaimed tho young
must have coat Its owner somo dol
man enthusiastically, “couldn’t you
lars. When told, however, that num
kee by their fncos? One poor devil
bers of the same plant were flourish
said to me; 'One can die better now,
ing behind his bsrn. ho exclaimed:
Monsieur.' There was no hope for
“What! You mean to tell mo it’s
him, it seems.”
yallerweed!" And ho went away with
Tremont and Marqufso d'EsclIg
tho air of one who had been Imposed
nac had docilely gone with Julia Red
mond every day at a certain hour to upon.—Country Gentleman.
Y ------------------------
the different hospitals, where Julia,
after rendering some slight service*
to tho nurses -for shn wa* not need
ed—sang for the sick, standing In tho
outer hallway of the building open on
every side
Sho knew that Habron
wa* not among those •lek. Where he
was or what sound* hl* ear* might
hear, sho could not know; but she
“The Ornament, Monsieur?
■ang for him, and the fact put a
about finding Monsieur do Sabron. sweetness in her voice that touched
Fancy a great army and a great na tho ear* of tho suffering and uplifted
tion helpless for the rescue of a sin those who were not too far down to
be uplifted, and n* for tho dying, it
gle soldier, and his life at stake!"
helped
them, us th» noldlnr «aid, to
“Julia," said the marquise, taking
die.
tho trembling band in her own, "you
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
will make yourself ill, my darling,
and you will bo no use to anyone, you
Tabloid Aeroplanes.
know."
The Rrltlsh reason, quito logically,
"You’re right,” returned tho girl. that tho smaller tho aeroplane and the
"I will be silent and I will only pray.” faster It can fly the les* danger of It*
Hhe turned from her aunt to stand being hit by shots fired from earth
for a few moments quiet, looking out Ho tho British airmen favor an unusu
at the sea, at the blue water through ally small machine, which they call
which the boat cut and flew. Along the "tabloid. ’’ A very light frama Is
the horizon was a mist, rosy and fitted with an 30 horsepower motor,
translucent, and out of it white Al which will drive the frail machine
giers would shine before many hours. through the air at the rate of 100
When Tremont, at luncheon a little miles an hour. Tho engine I* covered
lator, looked at his guests, he saw a with armor. The aviator seeking to
new Julia. She had left her coat with drop a bomb on the enemy approach**
the Red Cro • In her cabin with her hl* target at a height v 4,000 feet
hat. In her pretty blouse, her pearls When straight above It, ho turn* th*
around her neck, the soft flush on nose of hls machine straight down and
her cheeks, she was apparently only drop* at terrific »peed. When within
a light-hearted woman of the world. 600 feet of the target he drops hi*
She teased her aunt gently, she bomb* a* quickly a* possible and then
laughed very deliciously and lightly ■hoot* skyward at a tremendous pace
flirted with the Due de Tremont, who —American Boy.
opened a bottle of champagne. The
Marquise d'EsclIgnac beamed upon
Hopeful Mission.
her niece Tremont found h- r mere
If even one of those 300 commercial
puzzling than ever.
"She S»M4i t.S travelers who have gone to Houtb
the chameleon," he thought, “she has America succeed* In making ■ Houth
moods. Before, she wa« a tragic American see a United Htate* joh<l
muse; at luncheon she Is an ador their toll will not have been In vain —
able sybarite.”
Cleveland I-eader.
Mark* Historic German Spot.
Standing approximately on the ex
act spot where In Hit Frederick of
itohenzollem, count of Nureinburg,
with a heavy cannon partly destroyed
Friesack, Germany, today rest* a cu
riously built monument In the shape
of a war piece mado of log wheels,
millstones and wood. Tho town Iles
on a branch of the Rhine In Prussia
near Potsdam. Close to It Is a largo
estate bearing the snme name, whoso
fortified ca*tlo was captured by Fred
erick after a bitter fight ugainst the
rebellious knight Dietrich von Quit-
xow. It was below tho place where
tho cannon now stands that the Quit
sows wero Intrenched.—Popular Me
chanics.
Accepted th* Apology,
A young practitioner appeared be-
fore a pompous old Judge, who took
offense at a remark the lawyer made
criticizing his decision.
"if you do not instantly apologize
for that remark,“ said the Judge,
shall commit you for contempt
court.”
"Upon recollection, your honor,”
stantly replied the young attorney, “I
find that your honor was right and I
was wrong, as your honor always Is.”
The Judge looked dubious, but finally
said he would accept the apology.
Voice of Experience,
"I’m learning to make fudge and
taffy.” •aid the prospective bride, "*o
that I can please my husband with
some after we are wedded.”
"Fudge and taffy are what the men
like," responded the old married wom
an.
“That suits ’em, whether you
make it or whether you talk it, my
dear."
♦