The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-11-29
ESTABLISHED 1859

| ae G0V Anu 6cu5lbANC 90 q 49, -GNAS
than appear ungrateiul he would hsv
gone through an ordeal; and presently
OH dear, can see it now--he was stel
ping out on the scarlet cloth, and bowiD
graciously to his right hand and his lef
No need fer us to wink and nod b
hind his back. 1t was understood that
butt was being brought into the con
munity. The bows were gravely n
turned; and as, like an honorable body
guard; we formed round the new corne
to escort him to his hotel, the crowd thf
had gathered to receive him fell int
procession behind us.
1t was the cold season, and we Gale
on him the next morning to take hiI
for ride. He was full of his pleasau
reception, and anxious to become persoI
ally acquainted with those who had $
interested themselves in him.
"Obl you'll know them soon enough,
my friend said- ;; 's',sou'stE' Z
I you End, whsn you 80 back, that hal
the community has been calling OF
you" And sure enough, when We re
turned, there was his table heaped higt
with visiting-csrds. His eyes glistened
'1've heard that people abroad were
hospitable," he said. "but, upon my
word, this kind of thing didn'texpect.
My friend glanced over the heap oi
cards.
"AhI" he.said, ''the most influential
names. They don't often call on new
comers. suppose you impressed them
favorsbly yesterday. Sharp set OF fel-
lows, tool You had better lose no time
in returning their civilty."i
81 will make my return calls this alter
noon," he said warmly. "Can you give
me an idea of the addressed"
''No need. Everybody knows every
body here. You have only to ask. |
wish 1 could accompany you, but shall
be busy this afternoon"
$50 shall l." said l, "but we will look
in upon you later"
"Ohl and stay for dinner, do?" replied
our young friend. and we readily agreed.
To one of us, as it happened, the offer
of dinner was not thing to be lightly
treated.
We were not surprised when, at the
proper hour, we made our appearance, 10
see the young newcomer look weary and
depressed. He frightened when he saw
us.
=" So kind of you to comel" he -aid.
And presently-"Eithe 1 must be
stupid at understanding directions, or
everybody does not know everybody in
your settlement. Such a wild-goose
chase as have had this afternoonp'
"WhatI" cried my friend with well as
sumed surprise. "You didn't find them?'
And his voice SO clearly commented,
You must be foolish fellowI' that
the young mans color rose.
'I must have another try" he said.
"But was not this strange? l showed one
of The names TO member of your IaoIice
force. He directed me to the road Lead.
ing out of the settlement, and / walked
on for about an hour, expecting of course
to reach some house. All at once
found myself in the cemetery.
My friend laughed. "Thst man was
wag; not doubt of it. However, wait
4 few days till you know the place
better"
"A you may have guessed, more than
half the cards, dropped by our orders at
the young mans door, bore the names of
men either dead or departed. But a
ong time passed before he found it out
1t all, but for-however, must not an
.icipate.
To give in detail the practical jokes we
played on our newcomer would be i'm
possible. One must tell you, for it
very nearly had a tragic ending.
Two or three of us had started With
,im on shooting trip up the river. 1t
lad pleased one of us, his first friend, to
eign deep melancholy, from which our
sought in vain to rouse him.
The young fellow spoke to me in private
IN the subject. "Our FRIEND" he said,
ought to be watched. Men in his state
,f mind have been known to do strange
.hings." 1, of course, encouraged his
ear We were neither Of us then much
when, one evening, the mel
lncholy man, after hastily wringing our
hands and murmuring that it could be
borne no lenger," leaped into the river.
What followed helped me afterwards to
understand the sequel of this story.
Without a moments hesitation that
brave young fellow threw off his coat
and boots, and dived alter his friend. He
was not strong swimmer, however, and
that little trick was near being our lsst.
When we fished him up he was half
drowned.
He rose in our estimation from that
though it was not in the nature
of things that we could give up our
diversion. and we were still plittiDg
against his peace, when hazard called me
away from our settlement TO little
place at some distance. was to be en-
tertained was presided over by young
lady whom it always gave me great
pleasure to meet. She was the daughter
of the merchant went to see; a bright,
clever and intelligent girl, and to my
taste peculiarly handsome. Ithad struck
me. moreover--n0 harm in c0niessiDg it
now; there is an age, you know, when we
read volumes in smile-it had struck
me that the beautiful Eleanor Hartley
had special kindness for me.
But on this occasion it seemed to me
that something was wrong with Miss
Eleanor. She sustained her part in the
conversation only with effort. She was
languid and depressed.
"This detestsble climate is telling on
her. was my conclusion; and / outdid
myself in nay efforts to be amusing.
At such times, as we know-if, that is
to say, we are not born takers, like our
friends of the Emerald Isle-there comes
the moment when everything is used up.
Neither joke, nor pun, nor lively anec-
dote will visit the distressed brain. Moth
ing remains but to choose between naked
commonplace and doleful silence. To