Mr. Horton

“ Horton, interrogatively.
“Oh, Doctor Redfield was recommended very highly, professionally and otherwise,” replied his wife, “but you know,—well, Lucy and I had planned it differently.” She spoke in a slow and hesitating manner. Mr. Horton made no reply. Presently she said, “The death of Mrs. Osborn has been a great shock to me. I cannot bring myself to believe those shameful rumors about her and Lord Avondale; I really can’t.”
“My dear wife,” replied Mr. Horton, with more firmness than was usual with him, “it is proper to let the dead rest in peace. ”

“ Horton, inquiringly.
“All the section, I hope,” answered Gordon. “Some of us, Mr. Horton, have made up our minds that there has got to be a change in D section. We don’t like the reputation that we are getting.”
“I am very glad to hear you say so, Gordon,” said Mr. Horton earnestly. “I feel deeply ashamed of it myself, and have been giving most serious thought to the matter for some time past. But if you boys will set yourselves to work in real earnest, you can accomplish far more than is possible for me.” ”

“ What’s one lie more or less?” said the other coolly. “Besides, I’m going to be a model of good behavior now, you know—a perfect little lamb,” and he laughed at the remembrance of “Bobby’s” face, and the way they had “taken him in.”
Never had Mr. Horton been so perplexed and so worried and tormented in his class-room, as in the weeks that followed the return of Crawford and Henderson. ”

“ Horton, “and I will see what is wanted.”
“Remember, father,” interposed Hugh, “that the major’s last request was that we join with the Vigilantes in case they are determined to mete out summary justice.”
“I believe,” said Captain Osborn, after Mr. Horton had gone, “that the major, with all his insane ideas, expects us to control any vigilance committee that might seek his life, and to ward off danger. I have always regarded him as being a man of excellent judgment. The humiliation of being discovered as a cattle thief has undoubtedly dethroned his reason. ”

“ Horton dressed for dinner [94] and awaiting them, and while she helped Sunny to put on a clean suit and brush his hair, he told her about their trip and what they had seen on Riverside Drive.
"And Daddy says if you want to, we can ride on the bus to-morrow," he finished. "We can go and see an arch."
Mr. Horton, who had been reading some letters that had come for him while he and Sunny were out, looked up from the little book in which he wrote the things he wanted to remember.
"I'm sorry, but you and Mother will have to amuse each other to-morrow," he announced. "I shall be busy all day. ”

“ Mr. Horton glanced down at him and smiled.
"You do look rather small in all this," he admitted; "but I should say you were very much here. And here's our hotel, and I think you are ready for supper."
The taxi cab stopped before the McAlpin Hotel, and Sunny Boy, holding fast to Daddy's hand, went into a beautiful high-ceilinged room ablaze with light. He and his mother sat down in one of the big chairs while Mr. Horton registered and arranged for their room. Then a severe-faced boy took the suitcases and led them into an elevator. ”

“ I wish that Joe was at home; we must get an early start to-morrow. It is foolish to feel so, when we know just how matters stand; but, somehow, Mr. Horton’s threats have made me uneasy.”
[Pg 258]
“No wonder! The very sight of him is enough to make one shudder. But I don’t see that there is anything that we can do, more than we are doing, Jessie.”
“You might ride over, since you are going out anyway, and tell Mr. Wilson what Mr. Horton has been saying. If you call on Mr. Drummond, who is our main hope for raising the money, you’ll pass Wilson’s, anyway.” ”

“ Mr. Horton, the writer of the foregoing letter, was a highly-respected member and Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Malone. He died 31 August, 1873. He was a dealer in flour, lumber, and dry-goods, real-estate, and merchandising of various kinds. Mrs. Myron G. Horton, informing me of his death, remarks that she is now (1874) the only one of his children living.
171⁄2 West 30 St., Cincinnati, Ohio, May, 1871. ”

“ Horton was breathless, so Miss Katherine had him at her mercy. She politely asked him to excuse her brother as he was not feeling well, at which Joseph gratefully withdrew.
“A guilty soul is a terrible thing, Miss Boulby,” said Mr. Horton mopping his forehead.
“Yes, I suppose it must be,” she returned calmly, “but what is even worse is to have a mind that is constantly imagining evil in others. Now, Mr. Horton, the ladies of your church have quite ignored us since we came, but I should be very much pleased if Mrs. ”

“ Horton. “I used to think you were a nervy fellow and sleuth-hound to track down a thief, but of late you always disappoint me.”
“I know I’m a pore cuss, but don’t unbosom yourself too malignant agin me. Don’t be too hard on me, Mr. Horton. I would n’t wonder a mite if he’d overtake ‘em,” said Kinneman.
“Who the devil do you mean?” asked Horton, angrily.
“Major Hampton; he’s quite a stayer. He’s at least a mighty sight thet ere way. He’ll whup the hull danged outfit if he comes up with ‘em, thet’s what he’ll do. A shootin’ is likely to ensoo if he finds the thieves. ”

“ Mr. Horton is still in good health. He moved to Syracuse in early life, where he has now a fine property. He is able to get up his horse and carriage himself, and drive wherever his business calls him.
II. Henry, son of Nathan Horton and Rebecca Priest (Richard, Caleb, Barnabas, Caleb I.) , born in Radnor, Delaware Co., Pa., 25 Jan., 1791; married in Broadtop, Pa., 22 Sept., 1812, to Elizabeth White, daughter of Thomas White and Elizabeth Jones.
Children, all born in Broadtop, Pa.:
1. ”

“ Mr. Horton is a noted agriculturalist; resides on the old homestead farm, which has now been in the possession of the Hortons for five generations.
III. Dr. William, son of Dr. William Horton and Maria Ryneck, born in Goshen, opposite the old Court-House, 10 April, 1827; married in Blooming Grove, N. Y., 8 Dec., 1853, by the Rev. Austin Craig, to Sarah Louisa Townsend, daughter of Sylvanus Smith Townsend and Elizabeth Rogers, of New York City.
Children:
1. ”

“ The demarch was clean-shaven, with the exception of his gray mustache, and his shirtsleeves were fresh from the iron. His cheeks were florid with good living, and he would have been a comely man save for the fact that his lower lids had fallen a little, disclosing a red and raw looking spot under each eye.
"Welcome! welcome!" he cried, as the party arrived. "How is Mr. Stork and the Lieutenant? And Kyr' Michali? And where is the Church this morning? Why did you not bring him along, that he might take a drink of cognac with the State?"
"I am very well," replied Curtis in Greek. ”

“ Joe said he guessed it was all right, and while he and Mr. Horton went off to buy the ticket, Mrs. Horton and Sunny Boy bought a bag of fruit and sandwiches for Joe to have on the train. [205]
"He looks half starved," commented Mrs. Horton. "Won't his mother enjoy getting him a good meal!"
"When you going home?" Joe Brown asked, as they walked with him to the train gate. "Wish it was now."
"We're coming to-morrow," said Mrs. Horton, "Say good-bye to Joe, precious. He'll be home before you are."
Joe shook hands awkwardly with Sunny Boy and then with Mr. and Mrs. Horton. ”

“ Horton coming around the corner.
Sunny Boy ran to meet him.
“Did you walk?” he asked disappointedly. “Where’s the automobile? Did you scold the laundry-wagon boy?”
“I put the automobile to bed,” answered Daddy, waving to Mother. “This fall, perhaps, we can build a garage out back of the house. I’ll see. But just now a man named Mr. Taggart has to keep the car at night for us. Did you help Mother?”
“Indeed he did!” Mrs. Horton held open the screen door for them to go in. “I haven’t missed Harriet at all.” ”

“ She died in Jefferson, Wis., 29 Dec., 1846, leaving no issue. He married 2. [208] at Keyport, N. J., 29 July, 1861, by N. J. Beedle, Esq., to Sarah Wilson Babe, daughter of Joseph Babe and Margaret Wilson, and born at Sing Sing, N. Y., 3 Sept., 1824. They have no children.
We are indebted to Mr. J. A. Shepherd, of San Diego, for the following interesting sketch of the life of Mr. A. E. Horton:
ALONZO E. HORTON.
To a person acquainted with this gentleman our introduction would sound unfamiliar. ”

“ Mr. P. D. Horton is one of the best masters of penmanship in the country, is widely known as a teacher, and much respected; he resides in Marshall, Michigan.
V. William Person, son of John Horton and Rachael Hiler, born at Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., 26 Dec., 1821; married by E. Jones, Esq., in Huron, Wayne Co., N. Y., 4 March, 1845, to Phebe Ann Brink, daughter of John Brink and Catherine Brink; she was born in Huron, Wayne Co., N. Y., 1 July, 1831.
Children:
1. ”

“ William Horton to the present time. He has no children. He possesses more than ordinary mental ability, and gives good satisfaction to his employers, and commands their confidence and respect, and the esteem of all who know him.
II. Lucien, son of Homer Horton and Jane Davidge (Isaac, Hon. William, Stephen, Daniel, David, Joseph I.) , born at Bethel, Sullivan Co., N. Y., 14 December, 1836; married 12 Nov., 1861, at Liberty, Sullivan Co., N. Y., by the Rev. Mr. Mack, to Hattie Burr, daughter of Bradley Burr and Polly Sherwood, and born at Liberty, N. Y., 21 August, 1836.
Children:
1. ”

“ He left Mason, and went to Chicago, 8 July, 1862, and connected himself with the Illinois Central Railroad Co., as bookkeeper. He was married in Buffalo, N. Y., 17 Oct., 1867, to Jane Pixley, daughter of Philander Pixley and Adaline Hovey, and born in Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., 15 Oct., 1812.
Mr. E. M. Horton is a man of good business capacities, and has rendered valuable assistance in furnishing a correct statement of the names and genealogical data of his branch of the family from the Hon. ”

“ Sarah Elizabeth Shores, daughter of Silas Shores; married 2. Ruth Sackett; had by 1st wife, Orrin, Nancy, and Mary; she died 23 August, 1871; by 2d wife has one son. 2. Hannah married Milton Horton, son of [62] William Horton; they have one son and two daughters. 3. Joseph, unmarried. 4. Emily married William Bidlack, son of Stephen Bidlack; one son. 5. Reuben. 6. William. 7. Asa. 8. Edward. 9. Anasthasia.
V. Lydia, daughter of Isaac S. Horton and Hannah Elliott, born 9 April, 1820; married by Rev. Mr. Smith, to Edward Vought, son of Joseph Vought and Hannah Dietrick.
Children:
1. ”

“ Then it is a rare thing for a night to pass without one or other of us having to trudge off to a case which may take us two hours, or may take us ten. Hard work, as you see; but Horton is such a good chap, and works so hard himself, that one does not mind what one does. And then we are all like brothers in the house; our talk is just a rattle of chaff, and the patients are as homely as ourselves, so that the work becomes quite a pleasure to all of us.
Yes, Horton is a real right-down good fellow. His heart is broad and kind and generous. There is nothing petty in the man. ”

“ IV. Eunice Lucada, daughter of Milton Horton and Lydia Bennett, born at Belvale, 27 Dec., 1827; married in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Caleb Evans.
Children:
1. Kate. 2. Lydia. 3. Susie. 4. Jesse. 5. Lucella. 6. Carrie.
V. Hannah, daughter of Milton Horton and Lydia Bennett, born at Belvale, 19 Aug., 1829; married at Milan, Ohio, by Rev. Mr. Barret, to Caleb Oakes.
Children:
1. ”

“ The demarch lunged through the crowd, and, throwing his constituents to right and left, made way for the entry of an old woman, who stabbed the ground at every step with a long, quivering staff. She was bent like the new moon, and her wrinkled skin was the color of a mild cigar. In her left hand she held, a wisp of dried herbs. The cries of relief and joy which her presence evoked reminded Curtis of the arrival of a tardy fire engine.
"Who's this?" he asked.
"She is the wise woman," replied Michali. "She will put something on the foot that will cure him very quick." ”

“ The style of Miss Horton is so highly finished and pure, and governed by so much taste and judgment, that her execution is as easy, smooth, and tranquil, as the gentle current of a brook. She makes no effort which she does not accomplish. ”

“ The place they had chosen was in the shadow and the hour was late, and no one was about, but Jim Horton took a glance up and down the deserted street before he resumed his interrupted remarks.
"I don't want any man's uniform when it's been defiled. You ought to have known that. I'm going to take it off and give it back to you."
He saw the eager surprised look that came into Harry's face and raised his hand in warning—"But not yet. First I'm going to tell your wife the truth and then I'm going to warn the Duc de Vautrin." ”

“ She struggled in his arms, but he only held her the more closely. "Moira. I want you. You're mine. You belong to me by every law——"
"No—no."
But he mastered her, pressing her throat back and kissing her upon the lips. She lay quiet in his arms, weak from the struggle. He took her immobility for acquiescence and caught her more tightly in his arms.
"Let me go," she gasped. "Do you hear?"
A saner man would have caught the warning note. But Harry Horton was beyond warnings. She fought with renewed strength and then, all else failing, struck him full in the face with her clenched fist. ”