The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-04-30


here9 must get into the air. must
go home. Home Why, at home doubt
less they mourned me as dead. had
been dead for days to them. begged
the man to bring me some clothes. He
brought me some old garments much too
large for me, with an old black slouched
hat, and helped me to dress, for was
too weak to stand alone. He then
placed me comfortably in an easy chair
and told me to rest awhile. At length,
feeling rested and stronger, arose and
moved slowly across the room toward the
open door.
81 saw q gray-headed old man coming
toward me, poorly dressed, with an old
hat in his hand, and a stubby beard on
his face. thought that perhaps he was
also one of the shipwrecked. spoke to
him kindly, but he did not reply, and
still advanced. I stopped he stopped
also. We stared at zach other. / spoke
again. His lips moved, but not a sound
left them. l drew forward chair, and
sat down. He sat down also, staring
half fearfullY at me. Great God was
that mvself2 That white hair-could it
be mine2 No. it was wig. Some one
was playing joke upon me. put up
my hand. No, it would not come off
81 went back and lay down upon my
bed, very weak, utterly disheartened.
Later / was driven slowly down to the
beach, and l saw all that was left of the
steamer few blackened spars and the
charred hull. Many people were exam
ming, either from curiosity or identifi-
cation, the bodies as they were bought
in. There was long trench in the sand,
in which were placed those not identi-
fed. 1t appeared that the steamer had
been wrecked on county line, and two
corOners were there quarreling over the
bodies and claiming their fees.
"My friend helped me out of the
wagon, and seated me on rock close by
"a most forlorn and unkempt figure 1
must have presented. Two men stood
near where l sat, and one of them spoke
of having received another telegram
from Cleveland, inquiring if the body Of
the man K had yet been found. A
cold chill ran down my back. Produc-
ing the telegram, he read the descrip-
ton:
"'Twenty- years of ages feet 8 inches
in height weight about 160 pounds, fair skin,
mole on left shoulder. Has the body been
founds Have it properly prepared for
burial and send TO H, Cleveland
81 was * and they were hunting for
my body to prepare it for burial MY
friend came back just then, and begged
to be taken to the hotel at once. l must
start for home, / said, as soon as posi-
BILE. Arriving at the house, saw a car
riage and horses standing before the
door. Four gentlemen came out and
agreed to take me with them.
81 learned from their conversation
that my companions had been sent out
from Cleveland to identify the dead and
find the living. Each related incidents
connected with the search. They spoke
of being out in boats, sometimes all
night, dragging for bodies, of seeing the
thieves at their villainous work, of the
disgraceful quarreling of the coroners,
and of the discomforts of camping out.
At length one of the gentlemen said he
regretted going back with no news of
the young man K, whose friends were so
anxious about him."
" Il half believe, said he, that he was
not on the boat at all. We have seen
everybody, dead or alive, who has been
found, and no one answering his descrip-
ton is discovered"
"'Where is his description, asked
another.
" 1 have it. No, not here. remem-
Der, / gave it to the coroners. He was,
as l recollect the description, man
about twenty-eight, fair skin, blue eyesand
black hair. 1t is hard to go back with no
information. By the way. stranger, did
you see any one answering that descrip-
tion'
Would you be willing to take the
body without preparation for burialG 1
asked
"'Why, of course. Any way we could
get it,
Well, then, said I, drop me at
H. house
"a shout went up from the carriage.
A few days later, after having enjoyed
the delightful experience of being kissed,
cried over, and welcomed back from the
dead, lighted a cigar, seated myself
comfortably, and had the novel expe,
rience of reading my own obituary, and
a good orthodox obituary it was, too. -
NeU York Sun.