The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-02-27
STRANGE EXPERIENCE
CHAPTER I.

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 Crcgmore, 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, L would
be compelled to pay in advance.
baggage, indeed" l exclaimed.
"HIave my trunk sent up, if you please. u
"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"
lie doubtfully 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 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 Cod"
"What is the matter?'
ooh, 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 a
quicter tone continued:
~ have never before seen such re-
semblancc Same eyes, nose, mouth
everything. Will you please do an old
man favorl"
l 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 pcrplexing situation
in which was placed.
"Hcre, Mr.. Bunchm he exclaimed,
calling the proprietor. Look at thi:
man. Doesn't he look exactly like my
son Norval"
EXACTLY, only he is much Older
eyes, but you must remember that Il
is more than twenty years since Norva
went into the army. poor boy, turn
ing to me. "Poor boy, he was killed a
Antietam. I want you to go home Will
me. | will stand good for your bill"
II feel under many obligations to you
old gentleman, for am really in an en-
barrassing position. l fear that fellow
has stolen my trunk, but if you will g
with me to the town officer, l will after
ward 60 with you"
He agreed and we called upon tn
town marshal, who, after listening to IN.
statement. looked at me suspiciously ant
said
"You didn't come in on the train"
"But, sir, | know that l did. l de
livered my trunk to a tall negro VIII
. walked with limp, and who, if l re
. member correctly, had an impediment i
his speech. The trunk-and | woulC
know it among thousands a larg
, one. covered with black leather"
"'Look here" said the officer, ''yo
came up on boat, for | saw you whe
YOU got off beside, you could not hav
' come bv 1ail, for as there are sewers
5 wash outs above and below here, thel
/, has not been a train in for two days"
1 This statement was insulting, yet
C struggled to conceal my resentment. O
ticials, in small towns, are generally ma
t row minded dogmatic men, and | care
C not to dispute him farther than to rea
I firm that | came in on the mornin
7 train. Then, turning to the old gcntl
! man, whose named | had learned VI
/, Metford | announced my readiness
c accompany him. lie had been so a
n sorbed in the contemplation of the T
c semblance between his son and mysel
G that he had paid but little attention
g the disparity of statements concernir
e the manner of my arrival
h Mr.. Metford lived in an attractive o
o place, not far from the river. When Y
e entered the gate, a woman came out
st the gallery and in a moment, after sc
ing me, clasped her hands and lean
= against post. AS we approached S
h uttered Shrek and sprang toward III
IS The old gentleman, gently taking hold
It her. said;
}; Come, Mary, don't give way to 20
IS feelings This is-you have not told l
IN your name, sir. All, yes" when | h
IN told him, "this is Mr.. Oscar lIockC
us smith. | wanted you to see him on 4
~ count of the perfect likeness he bears
re Norval. Come in, SIR" he continue
re leading'the way, We entered comic
ne ably furnished room. The old lady COZ
~ not keep her eyes off me.
ep Poor Norval," she repeated over a
:; over again. "Poor child. Oh, sir, i
of did not know that he was killed.
be sir, are you not indeed he?"
it. BE quiet, Mary" said the old gent
We man. "Don't become excited. Let
p, make it pleasant here for Mr.. Hook
in smith, and perhaps he will remain S
m eral days with US. Tell us someth
o. about yourself Mr.. HockersmithI'
a ~ was born in Richmond, Va" |
ID, piled, land my parents died when '
re- quite young. | went into the army a
tic was wounded bya piece of shell at
dy loh After the war / went home,
me found that the uncle with whom /
is lived. was reduced almost to pennin
on condition. lie did not long survive,
ore there being nothing in Richmond to !
ticularly bind me to the place, | "
dered away and have never returned.
AN have come to this State to look after
SIX land interests of corporation, and
70, soon as my business is completed, S
'ed 90 back to st, Louis"
oil ]