The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-04-21
A STRANGE INCIDENT.
lParmenas Mix, in New York Merear

Parmenas Mix, in New York Mercary
 Sometime ago, my health having failed me. took long buggy trip through the southern part of Kentucky. was ae- eompanied by companionable fellow. who was an excellent driver, and our ex- perience on the journey was of the most pleasant character. However, there was one excepiion-an incident that for a time caused me genuine sorrow. but which had climax of very pleasant nature While riding along one day. became quite thirsty. and resolved 10 alight at the next house we should come to for drink of water. A half-mile drive brought Us 10 a weather beaten. faded structure. standing some distance from the road. and there applied for the desired liquid. As approached the house, a gray-haired woman. whose bent form and careworn features told of years of sorrow, came ex- citedly upon the porch. through the open door. and ss mounted the steps. threw her arms around me and kissed me re- peatedly. For a time she seemed toe much affected to speak, and all could do was 10 stand in mute surprise. and await an explanation of her strange emo ton. Presently. with tears streaming down her faded cheeks. she sobbed: Oh. George. my dear. dear son knew you would come back to your old mother me day. They told me you were dead. but would not listen 10 them. and here you are safe and sound again. Here her emotion overcame her. and all she could do was 10 hold me in a motherly embrace and look fondly in my eyes with an eager. longing gaze that shall never forget until my own eyes are closed for
 ever to the scenes of earth. l, seems that her son was confederate soldier, and had not been heard from since the battle of the Wilderness. Twas about his age. resembled him closely and had been mistaken by the poor old soul for her long-lost boy. About the mos, unpleasant duty ever performed in my life was to updeeeive the old lady as to my identity. When she found tha, :. stranger stood before her, and not the youth who had Jeff her side in the cruel. bloody days Of the war. she gave des- pairing moan and sank backward into the arms of daughter. who had been an eager spectator of her actions. could only take her hand kindly and express the hope ;ha; some day her son might come back. and then return ,o the buggy Now comes the stransest and by far the most peas ani part of my story. Riding along. explaining 10 my companion the meaning of the strange scene on the porch. observed far ahead of us, afisule of man who had evidently stopped n res, by the wayside. As se approached him. l noticed that he had on d faded jacket of the old confederate gray. and the left sleeve was empty and pinned to hs breast. As we neared him. he arose. and. with wearied salutation. was about to continue on his way, when 1 inquired if he had been confederate soldier He replied .les: was wounded in the Wilderness. and Jeff for dead upon the field hope you will excuse me for not telling my story now, for my poor mother. no doubt. has long mouned for me as dead, and am anxious to see her. That Is my mothers house," he continued pointing down the road to the scene of my recent unpleasant experience. Turn ing our horses head in the opposite direction. we prevailed upon the ex- soldier to take Il seat in the buggy. and drove back 10 the house we had left half hour before. There, after witnessing d scene between mother and son that brough, tears to our eyes 1 told the re- turned veteran of my meeting with his mother. She. grasping me by the hand. begged me 10 remain and enjoy. with my friend. dinner which she intended pre- pairing in honor of her sons return. but we took our leave, being unwilling to mar her new-found happiness with the pres eDce Of strangers.