The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-05-21

4
New York.
We breakfasted together at his re
quest. found Haychance acquaintan
to be a most intelligent and cultivated
man, and great traveller. So much o
the world had he aeen, so wide was hi
knowledge of men and things, that Il
my comparative ine1perience it seemed
little less than marvellous. He was year
older than myself was just twenty
seven-Or at least he seemed 80.
Frenehman is older than an Amerieal
of the same age, always. But allowing
for all that, NJ. L'Estrange wasdoubtles
eight or ten years my senior. He wa
at once reticent and communicative
retieent in all that was purely persona
and related to his inner self; com
mnnieative to his plans and projects
soon discovered that he was on his way
to San Francisco-So much further of
then than now.
''But what cireJlitous routei" ex
claimed. 'rYou are going around Robir
Hoods barn."
"RObin Hoods harnl" he repeated,
with half-laugh, his eyes lighting as he
caught my meaning. "But, my friend,
1 had but Just come from Panama. 1
was tired of the ship, the sea, the mo
notony, so go this way"
"Overland the whole distaneel" 1
asked.
'4Oh, mol Look here, 1 shall have the
honor to show you" and he drewa fold
ed map from his pocket. 81 leave you
here, at Calumet-n the point with
his pencil-you sect Then I take the
lightning train for Cairo, thence by ex-
press this way"-pointing to Memphis
snd Jackson-"d to New Orleans.
That is right, ehi"
"Yes; but you will have to go to
Vera Cruz. How about steamer across
the Gulf.
"Ah! there 1 go round Robin Hoods
barnl" he said laughing. "See L go
across to Havana, and thence to Vera
Cruz,
"And then-i" my eye followed his
pencil.
"Then 1 go by diligence to the city
of Mexico, where I take the saddle for
Manzanilla. There, if the good fates
befriend me, ] catch q steamer ahead of
the one that left New York when 1 did.
So, 1 lose no time; 1 see your great
country; and L escape the dull, monot-
onous sea, of which L have had too much
already"
The hours flew on silver wings. All
day long we foated on a tide of talk,
sometimes sparkling with wit and hu-
NOR; sometimes taking q deeper tone as
we touched upon themes that gave to
each brief, passing glimpses of the soul
of the other. It seemed to me that there
was little worth knowing that my com
panion did not know; little worth seeing
that he had not seen; little worth think
ing that he had not thought.
Yet I learned little of his personal
history, save that he had spent much
time in South America, and that he had
large interests in the pearl fisheries at
Lima, on business connected with which
he was going to San Francisco.
We had said nothing in any way re-
lating to the war, its causes, or its re-
suits. But suddenly my friend turned
TO me.
41You have been in the armyl" he
said.
AEYes," answered. 'Iserved through
the war. But why did you think sol"
@Ah, you have something the air
milAaire. knew it from the first. T.,
toe, am a soldier, aRd 1 did not need
that you should give the countersign. "
Another night passed, and hour after
hour of the second day. Wewere forty
miles from Calumet A deep silence
fell upon MS two, who, in these days of
chance companionship, have grown so
strangely near each other. Soon our
paths would diverge, never. in all prob
ability, to cross again. In vain NJ.
L'Estrange urged me to prolong my
journey, at least as far as New Orleans.
"We must not part as strangers" he
said, impulsively. "My heart has gone
out to you've are akin. Somehow
somewhere-shallw we not meet again3"
and he clasped my hand warmly.
My reticent Northern nature stirred
within me.
81 trust so. 1 hope so" responded.
''But the world is wide. 1 shall never
forget you, NJ. L'Estrange."
''Ahl you are young, he said, with a
slow shake of his head, ''you are young,
and the young have short memories.
But stay. holdl shall give you sign
IA token. So shall you keep Que in
your heart"
Taking from his pocket a tiny box, he
unlocked it with key attached 10 his
watchRuard. A number of pearls CLEAN