The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-03-17

ouuSO, ouiu O VoiCc euol huOW
Looking around saw Mr.. Metford
every one waited for him to speak. 81
net Mr. Hockersmith at the hotel yes
terday morning. On account of the won
derful resemblance which he bears to my
son Norval-"
"Yes," repld the Judge. "Poor Nor
val, saw him buried"
"Oo account Of that resemblance"
continued Mir. Metford, "f invited Mr..
Hockersmith to accompany nee home.
He explained his embsrras sment and l
told Mr. Bunch that would stand good
for the bill. SO that charge is wiped
out"
"That's all very well, gentlemen" ex1
claimed the town marshal, "bnt We can't
allow fellows to come in this way. / be
We've that man shouid be punished for
lying just the came as he ought to be for
stealing. That's nv ticket"
IL am glad to hear you speak so cour-
ageously," rejoiued Mr.. Metford. "You
borrowed ten dollars from me about two
months ago, vowing that you would re.
turn the monev within week. Yet.not
withstanding the fact that you have had
money to bet at poker you have failed to
keep your promise. Yes, it is very
good idea to punish men for lying, and
since you have reminded me OF your un-
trulhfulness think it wo aid be well to
act upon your conception Of justice.
Your honor, make me out q warrant OF
arrest, please"
For time the Marshal knew not what
to say. His face grew red. "You all
know me-" he replied 81 am not a
stranger. I didn't come here and try to
beat any OF you. I'll paw the Ten dollars /;
don't fret about that don't think il is
right to hop on man that's trying to
protect the community against fraud.
I've got nothing against this fellow and
am willing TO see him turned loose"
81 am glad to hear you say so," re
Joined Mr. Metford. "Yon needn't make
out the warrant, Judge. Well, Mr.. Hook
ersmith," turning to me, 'as there is
nothing against you here you will please
accompany me home"
When We again went to the house,
Mrs. Metford's lip treulbled. They
would not hear of my leaving them, so
/ remained all night. The next morning
| awoke with burning fever; then l
went into q state OF del;rium and for sav
eral weeks | knew nothing. When ] re-
gained consciousness nv mind was so
confused | could not think. knew that
talked incobetently, therefore said
but little.
One day while / was sitting 10 my
room a man was shown up by one of the
servants. Mr.. and Mrs. Melford were
away from home, having gone TO neigh
boris house.
"Don't you know me e?' said the man
81 don't think that ever saw you be-
FORE" replied
He looked at me and smiled sadly.
"What do you mean 2" asked.
81 mean nothing offensive. You know
Abe Catham ?"
"Never heard Of him."
IL am sorry, for had hoped that you
would recognize me"
"HOw can | recognize you, sir. when
this is tue lrst time we hare ever met 2"
He shonk his head and muttered some.
thing which sounded to me like ''poor
fellow" Then he startled me by say
ing:
IL have been your keeper for years"
"My keeper 7"
"Yes; | am connected with the Mis-.
souri, Insane Asylum"
IL don't dispute your position SIS keep
er, but can assure you thai have never
seen the institution. l am ST. L ,uis
land man."
"tst me tell you something which has
just come to light. You were wounded
at the battle of Antietam."
"Sbiloh."
"At Antietam. You and young Vir-
ginian, who 10 some extent resembles
you-a man named Hockersmith-'ell
close to each other. In the report oil the
killed and wounded YOU we're put down
ON the dead list and this man Hooker
smith was reported to be wounded. You
had been struck by piece OF shell and
was, upon recovery OF tue wound, found
to be hopelessly insane. You went TO
Richmond, but your supposed relatives
spurned you, so have heard and, after
wandering around you went to Missouri
and was placed in an insane asylum,
where you rema med until few weeks
ago, when you escaped Your name, !
have learned, is Norval Metford, and !
have come to tell ycur parents. after sat.
isfyipg myself, that il is you"
The room began to turn round. The
mans voice sounded sway off at great
distance He seemed to be shouting, but
could not catch his words. Then some
one, dressed in red tight breeches, came
in and danced on the back OF chair. A
blacksmith led in horse and hegsn to
shoe him. His bellows reared and bis
anvil rang so loud that ! had TO pu! my
fingers in my ears His FIRE began to
gradually darken and, with sudden puff,
it went out leaving me in blackness oi
atmosphere. / groped around hut could
iEd no opening in the wall. l cried
aloud for lamp and cursed the black
smith for allowing his FIRE 10 60 out with
such a cruel puff. Crawling around or
my hands and knees / found match. !
kissed 1t; l pressed it to my heart.
s.Thauk Godf' | cried. "Thank God
that once more thele shall be light in the
world" Tears streamed from my eyes;
| tried to light the match; The tears had
dampened it and with the feeblest little
glo it died away leaving me in despair.
heard voice low and sweet
"Who are youp" ! asked.
A tear fell on nv forehead and clasp
Ing my hands turned nv face upward
Whose tears are those falling upon me 2
cried The voice. soft and sweet, sang,
but the tears continued to fall. "Oh,can
you not give me lamp2" | cried in ag-
ony. Something touched me 1t was
lamp, cold and dark, but l bugged it
close to me and took care lest my tears
should fall upon it Iplacei it on the
door,and With nv hands cIaspea around
it lay down and praved A feeble little
CLEAN fickered between my fingers. The
lamp grew warm. removed uy hands.
The little blaze aickered, and then, yes,
oh, glorles OF heaven, then-there came
, ~,o.l b,rat ,>f l,,ht N An, ~ ,noO.