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Page 32 text:
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162 THE SENIOR OCCIDENT A Substitute Cousin A young man walked briskly through the crowd outside of a station in Boston, from which he had just come, towering above other individuals, lie was very brown, as the result of the hot sun in Mexico, where he had spent the last several years. He was really a Bostonian, but was taken by many people who saw him and watched him, to be a westerner. This young man produced a card from his vest pocket and, having hailed a taxi, gave the address, scribbled on the card, to the driver. Ten minutes later the servant who opened the door at this address, took his card and preceded him to a large room from which came the sound of music and laughter. His guide entered the room, advanced to where a young woman stood laughing with her dancing partner, and ad- dressed her. “A gentleman, madam. Madame took the card and read,, John M. Rodney. Oh, it’s Jack aready! she exclaimed, and turned eagerly toward the door. Jack stood in the doorway. His eyes swiftly swept the room in search of his friend. Rut to his surprise and disappointment, he did not see the man whom he had promised and arranged to visit. Instead, coming quickyly towards him, with outstretched hands and a happy, expectant smile, was a young woman who was an absolute stranger. “Oh, Jack, this is splendid! she cried, when Jack had, with some embarrassment, taken her hands in his, I didn’t expect you until eleven- thirty ! Jim! she broke off to address a young man who was approaching, Jim, Jack has come earlier than we expected. As “Jim extended his hand to the bewildered Jack, she continued: This is my husband, Mr. Whittier, Jack--------. Goodness! You are browner and taller than I had expected. Jack, up to this point, had had no opportunity to put in a word edge- wise, except to murmur, Glad to know you, when introduced to Mr. Whittier, and now he wet his lips, preparatory to protesting and ques- tioning Mrs. Whittier, when that worthy person turned and addressed her wondering, curious guests. “This is my cousin, Jack Rodney, a westerner, who is to spend a few weeks with Mr. Whittier and myself. The guests all surged forward to meet him, and Jack was certainly, as he expressed it to himself, in deep. By the time introductions were over Jack had realized that Mrs. Whittier had been expecting her western cousin, a second Jack Rodney, and had naturally taken himself, blundering idiot that he was, for her cousin. He collected his scattered thoughts and pondered. There were two ways of escape. One was to explain to Mrs. Whittier that he hated to disappoint her, but that he was not her fortunate cousin, but had blundered into the house without even inquiring at the door whether he had the right house; and then, having made a fool of himself generally, leave the house with a feeling that he was about two cents. Decidediy he did not relish this method. The other way was to continue his decep- tion, remain until eleven-thirty when the regular cousin would be due, and take leave of Mrs. Whittier, using some excuse. He liked the latter method a great deal more.
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Page 33 text:
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THE SENIOR OCCIDENT 163 At this point his meditations were abruptly interrupted by a young girl, who demanded stories, exciting and western. For a minute Jack was “stumped.” How could he tell these people of the West when he had never been there? His adopted-for-thc-evcning-cousin soon added to his trouble with: “Oh, Jack, tell us about that escapade in Mexico, which your mother wrote me of.” “What next?” Jack groaned to himself. If he could get out of this house without losing his dignity—! What could he say to that? The guests added their pleas and settled comfortably expectant. “Ah—er—the fact is—a—mother—he began desperately and then an inspiration came to him. “Mother didn’t say how much she had told you of that—er—incident.” “Oh, begin at the beginning, Jack, your mother merely mentioned it and said you would tell us about it when you came east. She also said that she had heard it through letters, and she thought it would be much more interesting if you told it.” “Ah!” Jack breathed freely again. So his mother thought that! Also he could leave out his brand new mother in whatever he said! He could tell them of that time when------. “All right,” he answered, “here goes! The trouble all started with mistaken identity.” Jack chuckled inwardly at that, “mistaken identity.” “Several years ago, having arranged with a friend to meet him in Mexico City, I arrived there one day ahead of time, and upon entering an eating place. I learned that two men (Mexicans) were following me. I was con- siderably amused when they sat down at the same table with me and so I engaged them in conversation. All that day they trailed me and the next morning when I met my friend, as arranged, I informed him of it, and asked him to follow them, which he promised to do. “I waited until it had grown dark and then I went out, picked out a dark, empty street, and then turning around, I waited for the two Mexi- cans. When they reached me, I said: “ 'If you will kindly tell me why you are following me, gentlemen—’ “One of them interrupted, sneeringly, T guess that isn’t necessary,’ he said with the peculiar accent which Mexicans use when speaking Eng- lish. ‘Now you better come with us and carry out your original intentions.’ “ ‘Evidently you have mistaken me for someone else.’ I began. “ ‘Oh, we know you all right! Come on this way.’ “Glancing back, I saw my friend and motioned him to follow. “ ‘All right I agreed. “After a few minutes’ walk we entered an old house, which we entered. Inside I saw a sullen but striking Mexican girl, who rose as we entered. “ ‘That is not he, father she cried., “ ‘What!’ the man who had done the speaking formerly, shouted. “ ‘I never saw him before, father!’ “ ‘Well, he’s as good as the other one and if the other suited you, this one will have to. I’m sick of your fooling. Stand over here and marry this one!’ “You cannot imagine how I felt for a moment after he had spoken, but then I knew, by the expression on the man’s face, he meant what he said, so then and there, having shouted to my friend outside, I went after them, with the assistance of the girl, who didn’t any more want to marry (Continued on page 172)
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