McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-02-19
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
CHAPTER I.


perceive that there is nothing in such
name, but if any man has ever pass
ed through an experience similar to
the one which | am going to relate, he
would do me great kindness by at
once communicating with me.
One day l arrived at Cregmore, a
little old town on the upper Arkansaw
river. After taking breakfast at ho-
tel, the proprietor of the house came
to me and said that as Ihad no bag
gage, 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 depot. l 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 wondered if the fellow
who had taken my trunk had run
away with it. l had no check, and /
knew that / might have trouble in re-
covering my property. just as l
turned to 60 out, an old gentleman
whom l suddenly encountered, threw
up his hands and exclaimed:
'My God -
'.What is the matter?"
''Oh. sir. L 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 a
quieter tone continued:
81 have never before seen such re-
semblance. Same eyes, nose, mouth
everything. Will you please do an
old man fayor?"
replied that I would favor him in
any possible way.
Then come with me to my house.
| want my wife to see you.''
told him of the perplexlng situation
in which l was placed.
Here, Mr.. Bunch!" he. exclaimed,
calling the proprietor. 'tLook at this
man. Doesn't he look exactly like my
son Norval?"
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" turning to me. ''Poor boy, he
was killed at Antietam. 1 want yon
to 90 home with me. Twill stand good
for your bill"
Il feel under many obligations to
you, old gentleman, for am really in
an embarrassing position. 1 fear that
fellow has stolen my trunk, but if you
will 60 with me to the town officer, I
will afterwards go with you"
He agreed and we called upon the
town marshal, who, after listening to
my statement, looked at me sus.
piciously and said:
'.You didn't come in on the train"
''But, sir, 1 know that 1 did. 1 de-
livered my trunk to tall negro who
walked with limp, and who, if 1 re-
member correctly, had an impeachment
in his speech. The trunk and 1
would know it among thousands
a large one, covered with black
leather"
Look here" said the officer, "you
came up on boat, for Isaw you when
you got off; besides, you could not
have come by rail, for as there are
several wash-outs above and below
here, there has not been train in for
two days."
This statement was insulting, yet [
struggled to conceal my resentment.
Officials, in small towns, are generally
narrow-minded, dogmatic men, and
cared not to dispute him farther than
to reaffirm that came in on the morn
ing train. Then, turning to the old
gentleman, whose name had learned
was Metford, announced my readi-
ness to accompany him. He had been
so absorbed in the contemplation of
the resemblance between his son and
myself, that he had paid but little at
tention 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 mo-
ment, after seeing me, clasped her
hauds and leaned against post. As
we approached, she uttered shrek
and sprang toward me. The old gen.
tleman, 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. Alb, yes"
when had told him, .'this is Mr.. Os-
car Hockersmith. WANTED you to see
him on account of the perfect likeness
he bears to Norval. Come in, sir" he
continued. leading the way. We en-
tered a comfortably furnished room.
The old lady could not keep her eyes
off me.
..Poor Norval," she repeated over
and over again. "Poor child. Oh, sir.
If did not know that he was killed
oh. sir. are you not indeed he?
BE quiet. Mary" said the old gen
tleman. Don't become excited: Let
rs make it pleasant here for Mr. Hook
ersmith, and perhaps he will remain
several DAYS with us. Tell MS something
about Yourself. Mr.. Hockersmith|.,
u was born in Richmond, va I
replied land my parents died when L
was quite Young. went into the arm'