Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-24
4 QUEER COINCIDENCE.
BY A CHICAGO EDITOR.

", three passengers occupying adjacent
seats got into quiet conversation, when
it was discovered by one of them that the
other two were strangers TO each other; he
accordingly introduced them:
Mr. Tarnish, this is Capt. Hight, my
friend"
Captain Hightm exclaimed Tarnish,
that name sounds very familiar. One OF
the best men | know in the world is Cap
tain Hight, and he is my brother in-laW."
THAT isn'tmc," good naturedly rejoined
the Captain, Il am nobody's brother-ln-
law. and nobody is brother-in-law to me.
But who is this namesakc of mine?"
HE is a glorious good fellow, | assure
Won" said Tarnisb 'rll tell you little
story about hm-a funny story, and very
remarkable withal for its several coinci-
denceS'
Let US have the story" exclaimed the
Captain and myself; whereupon Tarnish
proceeded to relate the following nara
tive:
We'll, TO begin with" he said. Captain
Hight and myself were entire strangers to
each other up to the time of the breaking
out of the war of the rebellion. We fell
in with each other when our army, then
under Gen. Rosecrans, was marching
through Tennessce-he being in command
Of a company in a Wisconsin regiment,
and | acting as an army correspondent for
one Of the Chicago daily newspapers. We
somehow took to each Other-became &C
quainted by accident, and were accidental
" thrown together at various times, both
while in camp and when on the march,
and at the battles of Nashville and Stone
River had an eye to each other, to render
assistance in case either of us should be
moved down by the enemy'S balls or
shells. Fortunately we reached Chatta-
n0oga unframed but greatly fatigued and
in need Of rest On the third morning
after our arrival at Chattanooga | re
ceiyed this answer to II telegram that |
had sent to my paper at Chicago, asking
for permission to come home for a couple
OF weeks: Yes, come along and report at
editorial rooms on arrival No old war
rior, f0ot-sore with marching, Scared with
wounds, and having a home and loved
ones to think of a thousand miles away,
was ever more delighted on receiving his
discharge from the service, than | was on
reading the welcome words OF that little
message had been mingllng with and
following this army from the day it com
menced It's movement against Fort DOnel-
son up TO the taking of Chattanooga, and
YOU may be assured it was a tough and
exciting series of campaigns for me-full
of hard work, dangers and privations-
and | was pretty nearly worn out.
Accordingly, I gathered up my travel
ing and writing outfit, and prepared to
take the train for Nashville and the North
early next morning. Meeting Captain
Hight in tle evening at his brigade head
quarters. | communicated to him my good
luck.
You leave in the morning en-" he
asked.
Yes. and will put through to Chicago
as fast rs the cars will carry me"
just my luck" exclaimed the Captain
joytully; Il too am going north IN the
morning train-received three weeks
leave of absence from the General to-day
and | am only too happy to know that
shall have such good company. | will 90
with YOU as far as Chicago, and then on
wings OF steam I'll fly to little woman
who wants to see me- not a thousand miles
from there"
That is good"I said, heartily; "if
could have had my choice, you are the
very man would have picked out for a
travelling companion for the trip"
Next morning, bright and early, we met
II The depot, and took seats together in
one Of the cars Of the waiting train, and
half an hour afterwards were gliding
down the heavy grades, through the val
leys and hills and Owe the bridges of that
rough region bound for Nashville; thence
to Louisville; thence to Chicago, where
we arrived, dustcoycrcd and completely
Jagged ou5, AT the railway depot we
babe each other good-by.
4 shall expect to see YOU back in the
army on my return to Ola Rosey," said
the Captain, shaking my hand Till then
take good care of yourself old boy"
: OF course" said [; Give my love tC
that little woman-0u reo0ir, Monsieur
Captain"
| reported at the editorial rooms, as in
struced, and after lingering aimlessly
around Chicago for IA couple Of days, !
took my satchcl and boarded a Northwest
crn railway train, bound for visiting ex
petition into WisCOnsin-in fact, to visit
my sweetheart. Reaching Milton juno
ton, where VIC changed cars for Madison
the first man | saw on looking from the
window, was Captain Hight
=" Halo, Capn ! accosted him, on en-
crying from the car to terra TRINA where
did YOU come from, and where going?"
:. Got here from Milwaukee an hour ago
am going west on the train now waiting
here"
Good again!' exclaimed [ " we shall
be travelling companions again
We entered the train, and were speedily
transported to Madison, Wisconsn's beau
1itul capital city. Getting out of the train
vc again babe each other good-by, he going
10 Il hotel, and TO call on a friend. SIX
hours subsequently | took a seat in a train
for the village of Baraboo A few hours
ride brought us to that town. Stepping
of the train, to my establishment there was
Captain Hight standing on the platform
caTpet-hag IN hand.
;, How on earth did you get herc?"
asked, with surprise.
: BY this train" he answered
That's mighty queer" | rejoined; 81
came on this train, also, but didn't see
YOU"
Nor YOU" he said; 81 rode in the rear
car and you IN the front one-that explains
it,"
Going any furthers" l asked, quiz
zin@ly.
No" he replied; 81 shall put up at q
hotel here tor = day or two, and call on
some friends residing in the town. And
yo,t-whcre are you going?" he quc>
toned.
No further" | said; "a little woman
lives here. Cap, that | feel some interest
in, and | am going right straight to he1
house"
L.,