A Saratoga Mystery

Daily Papers, August 13, 1853: Excitement at Saratoga

From the Saratoga correspondent of the New York Times.

A few days ago a lady and gentleman arrived at a neighboring hotel. They signed their names in the register, fully and elaborately, Mr. and Mrs. XYZ. They appeared to be of a loving temperament, and delighted much in the various attractions of Saratoga.

For some days they were the cynosure of all stargazers. The lady was a brunette, richly molded, and possessed dark, liquid eyes, on which a man's soul might float away very easily. The gentleman was favorably situated with regard to masculine perfections. Every one viewed them as a handsome couple.

On Saturday, among other arrivals at the same hotel, a lady presented herself. She was a blonde, with delicate features and mild blue eyes. The bookkeeper handed her the register, when, to his consternation, she subscribed herself as Mrs. X Y Z. Very quietly, apparently with little emotion, she asked him if her husband had arrived. With a beautiful simplicity, he replied, “Yes - and his lady too." Hereupon there was a kindling up of internal lire, and the mild blue eyes became slightly green. The blonde insisted on seeing the faithless X YZ, but the masculine representative of those three letters, in company with the feminine ditto, had gone on a pleasure trip up to Saratoga Lake. Mrs. X Y Z., no. 2, immediately ordered a carriage, and after a word of promise to the driver, went in hot pursuit.

 

Arriving at the Lake House, the eager lady discovered that two persons answering the description of the fugitives, had launched there, and were then yachting on the silvery bosom of the Lake. Not to be baffled at this, Mrs. X YZ negotiated with proprietor of the Lady of the Lake and soon hoisted sails, to follow.

Now comes the mystery.

From the jut of land whereupon the Lake House is situated could be observed with the naked eye, yachts wherein Mr. and Mrs. X YZ and still another Mrs. X YZ were seated. For some time they moved towards each other, in languid politeness of motion.

After waiting some hours, the carriages of both parties returned to Saratoga empty, since which time, nothing has been heard of the missing parties. The only reasonable conjecture is that they are still chasing each other on the lake.

The knowing ones maintain that Mrs. XYZ no. 1 will have to winter on Snake Island, if she regards the integrity of her dark, liquid eyes.