Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-02-27
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE
CHAPTER /.


My name--is not Norval, nor have |
ever in any way been associated with the
Grampian hills-but my name is Oscar
Hockersmith. You will at once perceive
that there is nothing in such name, but
if any man has ever passed through an
experience similar to the one which |
am going to relate, he would do me a
great kindness by at once communicating
with me.
One day arrived at Cregmore, little
old town on the upper Arkansaw river.
After taking breakfast at hotel, the
proprietor of the house came to me and
said that as had no baggage, l would
be compelled to pay in advance.
Baggage, indeed~ I exclaimed.
"Have my trunk sent up, if you please. -"
"You brought no baggage, sir"
''Then it has not arrived. 1t will soon
be here, for am sure it arrived, having
seen it delivered to WAGNER at the de-
pot. have no money with me. hope
that you appreciate my position, SIR
He doubtfully shook his head and
walked away. This annoyed me not a
little and l wondered if the fellow who
had taken my trunk had run away with
it. | had no check, and l knew that l
might have trouble in recovering my
property. Just as | turned to go out, an
old gentleman whom suddenly encount-
cred, threw up his hands and exclaimed
'My Godw
'What is the matterPn
"Oh, sir, if | did not know that my
son Norval was dead, l would think in
you he had returned. He was killed in
the army"
He regarded me closely and in q
quieter tone continued:
81 have never before seen such re-
semblance. Same eyes, nose, mouth
everything. Will you please do an old
man favor2"
replied that would favor him in
any possible way.
"Then come with me to my house. !
want my wife to see you"
told him of the perplexing situation
in which l was placed.
''Here, Mr.. Bunch" he exclaimed,
calling the proprietor. ''Look at this
man. Doesn't he look exactly like my
oOl NOINdl.
Exactly, only he is much older"
''Yes, but you must remember that it
is more than twenty years since Norval
went into the army. "Poor boy" turn
ing to me. "Poor boy, he was killed at
Antietam. want you to go home with
me. will stand good for your bill"
81 feel under many obligations to you,
old gentleman, for am really in an EN-
barrassing position. fear that fellow
has stolen my trunk, but if you will go
with me to the town officer, l will after
ward go with YOU"
He agreed and we called upon the
town marshal, who, after listening to my
statement, looked at me suspiciously and
said
"You didn't come in on the train"
"But, sir, l know that / did. | de.
livered my trunk to tall negro who
walked with limp, and who, if 1 re-
member correctly, had an impediment in
| his speech. The trunk-and | would
know it among a thousands large
one, covered with black leather.
'Look herc," said the officer, "you
came up on boat, for l saw you when
you goo off beside, you could not have
come by rail, for as there are several
wash outs above and below here, there
has not been a train in for two days"
This statement was insulting, yet I
struggled to conceal my resentment. Of
ticials, in small towns, are generally mar
row minded, dogmatic men, and l cared
not to dispute him farther than to reaf-
firm that | came in on the morning
train. Then, turning to the old gentle.
man, whose named had learned was
Metford | announced my readiness to
accompany him. He had been so ab-
sorbed in the contemplation of the re.
semblance between his son and myself,
that he had paid but little attention to
the disparity of statements concerning
the manner of my arrival.
Mr.. Metford lived in an attractive old
place, not far from the river. When we
| entered the gate, woman came out on
the gallery and in a moment, after see.
ing me, clasped her hands and leaned
against post. AS we approached she
uttered a shrek and sprang toward me.
The old gentleman, gently taking hold Of
her, said:
"Come, Mary, don't give way to your
feelings. This is-you have not told me
your name, sir. All, yes" when had
told him, "this is Mr.. Oscar Hooker
smith. wanted you to see him on ac-
count of the perfect likeness he bears to
Norval Come in, SIR" he continued,
leading'the way. We entered a comfort
ably furnished room. The old lady coulc
not keep her eyes off me.
over again. "Poor child. Oh, sir, if
did not know that he was kiiled-oh,
sir, are you not indeed he?"
"Be quiet, Mary" said the old gentle
man. "Don't become excited. Let u
make it pleasant here for Mr.. Hooker
smith, and perhaps he will remain sew
eral days with us. Tell us somethin!
about yourself, Mr.. Hockersmith2"
81 was born in Richmond, Va, ;" / re
Piled land my parents died when wa
quite young. / went into the army and
was wounded bya piece of shell at Shi
loh After the war | went home, bu
found that the uncle with whom | haC
lived. was reduced almost to penninles
condition. He did not long survive, anC
there being nothing in Richmond to par
ticularly bind me to the place, l wan
dered away and have never returned.
have come to this State to look after tn
land interests of corporation, and, a
soon as my business is completed, ] shal
go back to st. Louis.
"Until then, " said Mrs. Metford, ''yo,
must remain at cur house. Although
know that you are not our son, yet to sc
you here revives and illustrates mem
ory that is SO dear" Here the poo
woman completely broke down.
"Mary2" said the old gentleman, ap