The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-05-01
BY PARNA'S GRAVE.
The Story Told by An Old Man to
A Chance Acquaintance.

The train paused at every lonely sta
ton, sometimes permitting passen-
ger to alight, but oftener gathering up
belated summer tourists-the women
wi b golden rod or asters in their belts,
the men with fish baskets or game-bags
@Over their shoulders. The one passen-
ger-car was old and small and low
&c led, the red plush seats were faded.
the little panes Of glass grimy, and it
was only after repeated efforts that l
succeeded in raising the window to let
the soft wind of early autumn blow
against my face. 1t was with regret
that / viewed the fields and woods. for
was leaving them, and every tree
beckoned to me, and whispered: "Stay
stay until the frost has turned our
leaves, until November gales have
stripped us bare, until we hide beneath
the thick white snow, until the spring
comes slowly up our way" l won
dered If would stay if l could; wheth-
err, if all the world were before me, |
would choose 20 pitch my tent ON some
solitary beach or within sound of the
soughing pines. Was not my longing
born of a comfortable contentmentP
Was not in my heart of hearts down
right glad to be going back to the town,
10 my friends, my work, my winter
pleasuresp A great clump of sumach
burnt red in little hollow, and my
thoughts jumped to the read .ng room of
my club, to deep crimson arm chair
by the open fire. and in an instant the
rumble of the train sounded like the
laden Omnibuses toiling over the city
street. The conversation of two stolid,
midCle-aged men behind me called
me back from my dreams, and
l was list ming to their droning
account OF the evil doings o. sundry
persons in Saybrook. when the train
stopped. and the brakeman called out
the place in an inqu ring tone that
matcAed his up-turned nose and high
circling eyebrows From my window
l saw on the platform two young sh,
querulous- ook ng women, who regard
ed with anxious Interest thick-set,
white-haired old man. Evidently he
was about to start on journey, for he
carried q satchel which was as new and
shining rs his tall silk hat. He sprang
from the Platform, not lightly, but gay
ly, and with half-laughing hslf-frown-
ing refusal OF the aid eagerly rendered
him by both the fussy women. They
glanced at each other significantly AMI
pursed up their lips,
Now, pa, you have got to take some
sort of care of Yourself" said one of
them. in aggrievel tones. "You will
git hurt if you go jumping about that
way"
The other woman shook her head
with u forlorn air that was in itself a
prophecy of future mishap to tho agile
old gentleman; and then she and her
companion lifted their skirts very high
and stepped down to the ground care
fully, as If to show that they knew
enough to be needed how they placed
their precious feet. Then ey gave the
old gentleman much doleful good adj
vice, and he, declaring that he was a
sight smar er than they thought, be-
slowed hearty kiss upoa each, and
wrenching himself free from their
clutches, got on the car just as the
train began to glide away. He came
slowly down the aisle, looking ri hit
and left toward the well-tilled seats,
until he arrived opposite me, when he
hated and glanced at the portmanteau
that had so far been defense against
intruders, ! made a place t { him at
once, for my heart warmed toward him
i hardly know why, unless it were
because he reminded me vaguely of my
own white-haired father, dead this
many year.
"ThanE you, young man," he said
"Got the window open, Ell? just lem
me waive my handkerchief out of it to
the girls, viii youp
He leaned heavily on my knees and
waved his handkerchief merrly to the
two women, who shook theirs sadly in
return. This ceremony over, my com
panion squared himself in the seat and
looked unnaturally grave He wore
new suit of black broadcloth, cut as
only country tailor can cut black
broadcloth, the low vest displaying o
great eXpanSe of white shirt that ended
at the neck in o high collar, about
which was tied soft black-silk scarf
The ends and loops of the scarf were so
carefully pulled out and arranged that
would have wagered anything that
one of those elderly girls had presided
over this part of the old gentleman's
toilet His hands were brown, but not
hard as those Of q man who holds
pillow, and his face was lighted by a
pair of Shrewd, twinkling blue eyes. He
brushed u white thread off his coat, he
crossed his legs, he looked askant at
me, and remarked that it was q fine
day. Like = flash there came into mind
a droll dissertation of Heinz CHI Heines
upon the possible horrible consequences
that may follow if one does not cap the
remark ''Finc weather to-day" with
"Yes, to-day we have fine weather."
and l replied promptly that had never
known a more perfect autumn day.
just the morning to start off" said
the old man. MY girls kind O. sur
missed it would rain; but guess it was
only because they wanted to keep me
home. They couldn't see why should
start up all OF sudden and go visit
ing"
$50 You are off on pleasure trip"
remark d.
He nodded and smiled: II amt going
very far; but it's to q place where 1
ain been in a long time. though l have
lived within twenty miles of it for more
than thirty-fve years. Queer how you
travel here and there and don't think OF
places right near home"
Eyes" ] said. II was born and
raised fifty or sixty miles from Niagara,
but never went to see The Falls. y
Ny companion slapped his knee:
That's just IT, have been living al
most next door, AZ you might say, to
nv old home where grew up. and l
ain been thcro in ten years. went
over once to the funeral of an uncle of
mine, my mothers only brother, and
Amt seen any of the folks, except now
and then as they would come on bust
ness or something Of that sort to our
village. Lately, though, have had
great desire to 20 back want to see
the orchards TINT hooked apples from
when was boy.n lilo paused aud