The next entertainment I remember was a dancing party at the house of Mr. R. P. Hall, of the grocer firm of R. P. Hall & Father.” This was on the northeast corner of Pine and Sixth streets, where I first met your mother, Miss Mary Spotswood Nisbet. As I had another sweetheart at the time (Miss Annie Green, Mrs. Sire’s niece), I was not interested. Subsequently I changed my views. So much, that our marriage was the sequel. It was to her self-abnegation and economical habits that I owe much of my success in life.

On several occasions, large social entertainments were given at the old tobacco warehouse, Sixth and Washington Avenue. On one occasion two boys were standing in front of my store, and one said to the other – “Bill, if you go in and beg a stick of licorice, I’ll give you half of it.” I gave it to him. Such initiative was sure to lead to success. It was Ed. Stetinius, whose older brother was one of my intimate friends. Mr. Stetinius is now of the firm of J. P. Morgan & Company.

About 1860, it was a common custom for gentlemen to call on the ladies on New Year’s Day, usually several going together. In this way, the lady friends of each, met all in the party, and in some ways the custom had merit. Those who did not wish to have callers would hang baskets on the door knob for cards. At every receiving house elaborate refreshments, including wines, liquors or eggnog, were served and the gentlemen were invited to partake. Unless they were careful, they would take too much in going the rounds and be put out of business for a while. Many of the ladies would join together in receiving, previously sending cards to inform their acquaintances where they would be found. In some instances the boys tied crepe on the door knobs, calling it “fun.” Finally the custom was so much abused by many who were persona non grata, that it was abandoned.
In 1860 the so-called spiritualist, or spiritualism was epidemic, and every spiritualist was relating wonderful exhibitions and revelations at his séances. I was invited to one of these séances at the house of Uriel Wright. When the room was darkened, except from the fire in the grate, it was asked if the spirit of Mr. So and So were present, an answer being expected by rapping on some table, or, elsewhere. After waiting a long time, a cracking on the window pane, (as is frequently heard on a cold winter night) was said to be the answer, but as no further cracking was heard, it was dropped. Next a similar cracking was heard in the fire, such as is often heard and nothing thought of it, but no further response from the fire. It was concluded there must be some doubting Thomas among the company, when I told them I was the doubter, the meeting adjourned.
Another time, having been told by people in whom I had perfect confidence of the moving of heavy tables, it occurred to me that this was a suspension of the laws of gravitation, and that some great unknown force might be discovered by research. I sought Judge T. J. Portis, at that time the attorney for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and a noted Spiritualist. Explaining my theory to him he exclaimed: “Mr. Matthews, that is the Keely Motor Power.” I asked him if he could direst me to a noted mover of tables. It is only necessary to add that in a very few days the Keely humbug gang was exposed and my dream of suspending the laws of gravitation came to an end – all my dreams of honor, reputation, and fortune dissipated in thin air!