The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-10
The Story of David Parkhurst.


family, and further than that he sold his
marketing in Louisville not a word has
ever been heard of him. On the day of
his mysterious disappearance he was seen
on the streets of Louisville, but what be.
came Of him has remained mystery for
almost two score years For several
wears the wife. still faithful, looked anx.
iously for his return, and then when hope
had almost worn out with time, she be-
came reconciled to the sad conviction that
her husband was dead But in what land
he died she could not even conjecture.
The worst suspicious Of course filed her
mind, and she, with every one acQuaint-
ed with the strange occurrence, gave the
solution. Of the mystery most natural in.
such cases, that Parkhurst after selling
his produce was murdered for mis- money.
Sometimes the vision of a lonely man
wandering in some far distant and savage
land, like the vision Of poor Enoch Arden
before the eyes of his wretched Annie,
would steal upon the dreams Of the
wretched wife ; but alas, time rolled so
many wears between her and the men,
ory of her husband, that she remember
ed him only as one among the dead. Sin
gularly, though, it seems Of late years she
has been heard occasionally to remark,
tina: lit would be very strange if he
should return" though she never ex-
pressed any positive idea Of presentime.lt
that such thing would ever occur.
On Wednesday last, while Mr.. Ken
drick was standing behind his counter,
an old man bent with the weight of
many years, with long white hair and
beard-the picture of Enoch Arden
clad in shabby garments, appeared at the
door Of his jewelry store, and approached
him with fa!tering steps.
Addressing Mr.. Kendrick in a hesitat-
ing manner, as if dreading the answer to
his question, be inquired:
do you know of any body in this coun-
try by the name of Parkhurst? 2
"Yes. SIR replied Mr.. Kendrick, 81
know an old lady by that name living
some distance in the country. and | used
TO know her husband, David Parkhurst,
many years ago..
"And where is he now - inquired the
man with evident emotion.
1T is supposed he is dead. He mys-
teriously disappeared thirty-fve years
ago, and has not sinc' been seen or heard
from.'
BILLY, don't you know me 90 cried the
old man as he quickly raised his eyes,
which sparkled with excitement, and
rushing forward took Mr.. Kendrick by
both his hands.
eyes," said Mr.. Kendrick, II do. You
are David PARK hurst.
And sure enough it was the long lost
wandcrer. who, after so long an absence
had come back white with age and clad
in the rags of poverty, seeking the COM
panion Of his youth and the wife of his
young manhood. He went away in the
prime Of life and returned eighty years
old.
When told that his wife was still upon
the earth, he manifested no very strong
symptoms either of surprise or delight,
but appeared gratified. A short time
afterward, however, he showed great
deal of anxiety, and was so impatient to
get home that he could not be prevailed
upon to rest over night. When he met
Mr.. Kendrick it was near O'Clock, and
as the train upon which he was to end
his wanderings left at 2:l0 P. NJ, MIR.
Kendrick had but little opportunity to
obtain much ofhis story. Mr.. Kendrick
took him to his house for dinner, and i'm
mediately afterward took him to the
short line depot and put him aboard the
train. He tried to persuade him to stay
till morning, but the Old man would listen
to no entreaty. His consequent hurry
and restlessness prevented hin from talk
ing, and also prevented Mr.. Kendrick
from asking the questions that would
have proved most interesting in this mar
rative.
Without giving any reason for leaving
home. or for refusing to i've information
Of his whereabouts. Mr.. Parkhurst stated
that he went from Kentucky to Mexico,
where he lived number Of years, and
was soldier in the Mexican war, under
the United States. After the war he
went to California, and thence to Nevada,
where he spent several years in the mines.
From Nevada he wandered in several
States and Territories, and a few years
ago went to Wisconsin, where he has lived
until the past few weeks, when he resolv-
ed to return to Kentucky, and see if his
people were still living.
What route he came he didn't state
except that he came to Louisville from
Cairo on the Mary Miller, arriving here
only few minutes before he met Mr..
kendrick.
He did not appear to observe the great
Improvements which have been made
since his departure, and seemed to take
no interest in anything nor any body but
his own people.
1t would be an interesting part of the
story could we follow the old man through
the country to the gate and to tae thresh-
old of the home where dwells his aged
wife. But here the curtain must fall and