Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-01-17
MY CLASS MATE.
BY GEO. NEWELL LOVEJ0Y.

Twas standing in the waiting room of
the depot, watching the making of the
train which should bear me to my desti-
nation. 1t was late in autumn, and the
night was cold and dark. | had been
absent from home several weeks visiting
a large metropolis of the Atlantic sea-
board, and was about TO depart for
another city in the interior, more than a
hundred miles distant, where friends
were awaiting me. | have said it was
night-rather it was early morning; that
TO say, it was past three O'Clock, and
half an hour the train would be ready
to leave. As [ stood gazing out of the
window on the network of tracks, on
which cars were being driven back and
forth, a stranger approached me, and,
addressing me in pleasant voice, said:
as this Mr. Oakley?'
Turning. I beheid tall, well-dressed
individual Of perhaps forty, with full
beard and pleasant cOuntenance, and
geRtlemany in bearing.
mo, sir; that is not my namep' l re-
piled.
Il beg pardon" he returned. "YOu
bear so close a resemblance to the party
of whom | am in quest, that | felt con-
fident you were indeed he.''
He continued by remarking on the
state Of the weather, and then enquired
if were resident of the city.
| replied that my home was in the
West. "Pm from Michigan-Ann ArbOr
is my home"
"Ahl have resided in Kalamazoo %
he returned with smile: "but at pres
ent my home is in New York, where / am
connected with large mercantile
house."
There was something in the manner
of the stranger which impressed me,
confess, and led me to continue the con-
versatiOn by enquiring how long since
he left the West.
Il went to New York quite a number
of years ago. My family went two years
after did. We like New York, although
as place of residence, we much prefer
Kalamazoo. You know i'm large city
especially one like New York, society is
quite unlike that of small place, and
one does not find that sOciability which
characteriZes the latter. Kalamazoo is
smart town, and the people are moi
only social, but highly cultivated. 1t is
delightful place for residence"
How much of family have your"
asked
"a wife and two children son and q
daughter, still in their teens"
1T occurs to me have met you before
Your face is truly familiar One," re
marked.
''Very pOssiblyw he replied. "Are you
going out on the western train?"
Yes" | answered; IL am going tt
Springfield"
Il am going there also, or rather 1 pass
through there, as / am going to New
York. 1t will be pleasant to have you fOl
company"
Thank yOu-thank your returned
Together we passed out of the room, ani
stepped aboard the train. Presently thu
conductors cry of "all abOardp' fell OF
the ear, and in moment after we were
moving out of the depot.
Are you acquainted in Kalamazoo
Intercepted my companion turning
toward me, and then settling himself
back in his seat at my side.
Eyes, | have several acquaintance!
there. A classmate Of mine in cOlleg,
lived there formerly, Sidney Clemens, o.
rather, Glenn, as we used to call him il
the University. But he has been gOn
from there years. don't know Wher
he lives now"
Clemens Clemensl You say he wa
classmate Of yours in eOllegeY'
'Yesl and thought the world of him
He possessed a rare character, and wa
popular with everybody. He married
shortly after graduating, and went int,
business with his father, who was lead
ing dry goods merchant of Kalamazoo
put, after year or so, he went East Il
reside. haven't heard anything OF hin
for over twelve years, and have lost al
trace of him."
The speed of the train had Increased
and we were fast nearing the Outsklrt
OF The city. could see as L looked OF
the window pane, that the snow wa
falling fast, and now and then above tn,
noise OF the train could hear the wind
lew passengers were engaged in quie
conversation; occasionally one was to b,
seen curled up in his seat, and my friend
at my side was silent. Presently, tn,
conductor, with lantern on his arm. en-
tered the car, and proceeded to examin,
the tickets of the passengers. WheI
1t came to my turn / handed him mine
and, as / turned my head to look at m,
companion know not why-the fnj