Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-02-25
STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
CHATTER /.

4
Grampian hills-but my name is Oscar
Hockersmith. You will at once perceive
that there is nothing in such q 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 a hotel, the
proprietor of the house came to me and
said that as ! had no baggage. would
be compelled to pay in advance.
Baggage, indeed!" I exclaimed.
ssHave my trunk sent up, if you please. "
you brought no baggage, sir.n
Then it has not arrived. It will soon
be here, for | am sure it arrived, having
seen 1t delivered to wagner at the de-
pot. Ihave no money with me- hope
that you appreciate my position. SIR
He douDtfully shook his head and
walked away. This annoyed me not
little and wondered if the fellow who
had taken my trunk had run away with
it. had no check, and / knew that I
might have trouble in recovering my
property. just as / turned to 90 out, an
old gentleman whom / suddenly encount-
cred, threw up his hands and exclaimed:
my God!6
stWhat is the matter2''
t'Oh, sir, if did not know that my
son Norval was dead, would think in
you he had returned. He was killed in
the army
He regarded me closely and in
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 I was placed.
stHere, Mr.. Bunchp' he exclaimed,
calling the proprietor. look at this
man. Doesn't he look exactly like my
SON Norvall''
Exactly, only he is much older.
Eyes, 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 60 home with
me. will stand good for your BILL"
IT 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 60
with me to the town officer, will after
ward 60 with you.
He agreed and we called upon the
town marshal. who, after listening to my
statement, looked at me suspicIOusly and
said
ssYou didn't como in on the train
ssBut, sir, know that I did. de-
livered nv trunk to tall negro who
walked with limp, and who, if / re-
member correctly, had an impeachment in
his speech. The trunk-and / would
know it among thousands large
one. covered with black leather. "
ssLook here said the officer, ''you
came up on boat, for saw you when
you goo of beside, You could not have
come bv rail, for as there are several
wash-Outs above and below here, there
has not been q train in for two. days.
This statement was insulting, yet |
struggled to conceal my resentment. Of
ficiaIs, in small towns, are generally mar
row minded, dogmatic men. and Feared
not to dispute him farther than 70 reaf-
firm that came In on the morning
train. Then, turning to the old gentle
man. whose named / had learned was
Metford. l announced my readiness TO
accompany him. He had been so alb
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
Mace. not far from the river. When we
entered the gate, woman came out on
the gallery and in moment, after see
inc me. clasped her hands and leaned
against post. AS we approached she
uttered shrek and sprang toward me.
The old gentleman. gently taking hold Of
her, said:
siCome, Mary, don't gfve way to your
feelings This is-you have not told me
your name, sir. All, yes. when I had
told him. this is Mr. Oscar Hooker
smith. wanted you to sec him on &C.
count Of the perfect likeness he bears to
Norval. Come in. sir, be continued,
I leadingsfhe way. We entered comfort
j ably furnished ROOM The old lady could
/ not keep her eyes of me.
Poor Norva. she repeated over and
over again. Poor child. Oh. sir. # /
did not know that he was killed oh,
sir. are You not indeed heg1
BE quiet, Mary, said the old gentle-
man. sDon't become excited Let rs
make It pleasant here f0r. Mr.. Hooker