The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-06-13

ship it to Liverpool in steamer-that
ing.
Chicago! rail- ste...-ieri o.,. 49,.
I am afraid you are little weak in the
top story. What do you mean by
Chicago?
Chicago! Why, it's city three or
four hundred miles west of Pittsburg,
q great center for the western grain
traffic. Certainly you must have heard
of It,
sOh, come now, old man, you're try
ing to guy me, know well enough
that the country is a bowling wilder
ness three hundred miles beyond Pitts
burgh. Grain market! That's good.
Il don't know said Ephraim, some-
what feebly. sIf used to be there. l
expected cargo of wheat from Chica.
go, to be here this morning by railroad.
what kind of a railroad p
"a railroad iron rails, with cars run
by steam. expected to find an ele-
vator here to pat the grain on board
of an iron vessel-to load the whole
twenty thousand bushels to-day; but
things have gone wrong, somehow, l
don't exactly understand why
BILL said the man, turning to one
of his assistants near him, strot this
old chap to the mayors Office, so that
he may be taken care Of He's talking
to me of bringing twenty thousand
bushels of whcst here on rail. and
loading it on an iron vessel-an iron
vessel, mind you-in one day! It's a
shame for the old fellows relations to
let him wander around alone.
Before Bill had chance to offer his
assistance, Ephraim alarmed and
more than ever bewildered-walked
rapidly away.
AS he gained the street, man of
about middle age suddenly stopped in
front of him and said:
sGood morning, Mr.. Batterby.
Ephraim had gotten into such a
frame of mind that he was almost
startled at the sound of his own name
He looked hard at the stranger; but,
although the features were somew hat
familiar, he could not readily rscog-
nize the man.
Don't know me, Battcrby? I'm
possible! Don't know Tony Miller
Bless my soul! Tony MilIer-so it
is-Tony Miller! Not Tony Miller !
Why, why, why, Miller, L thought you
died thirty years agov
Died ha, ha! Not bit of it, man.
Why, it's absurd l saw you not more
than two or three weeks since.
'Strange, strangev said Ephralm, al
most sadly, and with his mind trying
to recall some fragments of the past.
/ could have sworn that you were
long since dead.
No, sir; just as hearty aud lively
as l ever was. By the way, Batterby,
what has become of Ephraim l don't
see him about any more.'
'Ephraim? Ephraim Batterby ?
Why, who do you suppose amp
Joshua Batterby, of course; who
else? You don't seem very well, to-
day. 1 think.
He mistakes me for my father,
said Ephraim to himself. When will
all this wild, puzzling mystery end ?
Then addressing Miller, he said: Il
would like to have some conversation
with you, Miller. l am strangely con-
fused and upset to-day.
Certainly; be glad to have chat
with you. l say, suppose you come
home and dine with me. / am on ,ny
way to dinner now. Will you go?
Gladly replied Ephraim.
AS they walked on, Miller, with
intent to break the silence, said:
i think we shall have rain to-day
Mr.. Batterby.
Perhaps; it looks like it. What
does the signal service say?'
What does the what say?
The signal service. What are the
indications.
Il haven't the least idea what yo,
mean, Mr.. Batterby.
Why said Ephraim, timidly, swer,
yon not aware that bureau in til,
war department collects information
which enables it to Indicate approach
ing conditions of the weather, ant
that it gives this information to tn
newspapers?
Never heard of such thing, Mr.
Batterby, and don't believe it. Some
body has been joking with you. TIL,
only weather indications we haye ar
in the almanacs, and they are not al
reliable.
The two walked along i'm silence TO
time, and then Ephraim said:
'Miller?'
sWellY
Il am going to ask youa good man
queer questions to-day, for a privat
purpose of my own. Will you agre
TO answer them candidly?
'If can.'
And not think me insane, or absur
or stupid !!
'Of course / should NOT think SC.
Very WELL said Ephraim, san
when you are done may explain VIII
1 asked them, and perhaps you ca
solve mystery for me.
They reached the house and entere
it. The first thing Miller did was I
proceed to the sideboard, fill tw
glasses with wine from decanter an
ask Ephraim to drink.
sThank you,' said Ephraim. Il neve
touch 1t.
Miller looked at him a moment i
amazemenf lie concluded that fhi