The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-02-27
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
CHAPTER 1.

perceive that there is nothing in sue
name, but if any man has ever pas
ed through an experience similar
the one which l am going to relate, h
would do me great kindness by q
once communicating with me.
One day l arrived at Cregmore,
little old town on the upper Arkansay
river. After taking breakfast at he
tel, the proprietor of the house cam
to me and said that as Ihad no bag
gage, / would be compelled to pay il
advance.
Baggage, indeed ~ I exclaimed
"Have my trunk sent up, if you
please.
You brought no baggage, SIR"
''Then it has not arrived. 1t. viii
seon be here for am sure it arrived
having'seen it delivered to wagner
Ut the depot. have no money with
me. l hope that you appreciate my
position, sir"
He doubtfully shook his head and
walked away. This annoyed me not
little and 1 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 re-
covering my property. Just as 1
turned to go out, an old gentleman
whom l suddenly encountered, threw
up his hands and exclaimed:
"My God -
"What is the matterP" e-..-. -.
"Oh, sir. II 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 a favorP'' -
l replied that would favor him in
any possible way.
Then come with me to my house.
l want my wife to see YOU"
told him of the perplexlng situation
in which was placed.
"Here, Mr.. Bunchr' he exclaimed,
calling the proprietor. "Look at this
man. Doesn't he look exactly like nv
son NorvalP"
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" turning to me. "Poor bov, he
was killed at Antietam. 1 want Won |
to go home with me. Twill stand good
for your BILL"
81 feel under many obligations to
you, old gentleman, for am really in
an embarrassing position. fear that
fellow has stolen my trunk, but if you
will go with me to the town officer, /
will afterwards go with YOU"
He agreed and we called upon the
town marshal, who, after listening to
my statement, looked at me sus-
and said: + q
You didn't come in on the train"
''But, sir, know that l did. | de-
livered my trunk to a 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 a thousands
large one, covered with black
Gather"
'Look here" said the officer, "you
'ame up on boat, for l saw you when
Tou got off; besides, you could not
AVE come by rail, for as there are
everal wash-outs above and below
ere, there has not been train in for
wo days"
This statement was insulting, yet
truggled to conceal my resentment.
officials, in small towns, are generally
arrow-minded, dogmatic men, and '
AIRED not to dispute him farther than
o reaffirm that came in on the morn !
ng train. Then, turning to the old I
whose name | had learned
yas Metford, announced my readi- I
ess to accompany him. He had been I
o absorbed in the contemplation of (
he resemblance between his son and
,yself, that he had paid but little at e
ention to the disparity of statements c
the manner of my arrival. c
Mr.. Metford lived in an attractive C
Id place, not far from the river.
When we entered the gate, woman a
anne out ON the gallery and in a mo- /
lent, after seeing me, clasped her o
auds and leaned against post. As
70 approached, she uttered a shrek C
nd sprang toward me. The old gen b
eman, gently taking hold of her,
lid: I
Come, Mary, don't give way to I
our feelings. This is--you have not n
I'D me your name, sir. All, yes," V
hen had told him, "this is Mr.. o. Il
IT Hockersmith. I wanted you to see n
m on account of the perfect likeness
} bears to Norval. Come in, sir" he n
'ntinued. leading the way. We en-
red comfortably furnished room. C,
re old lady could not keep her eyes II
me. II
"Poor Norval," she repeated over l
d over again. Poor child. Oh, sir. g
[ did not know that he was killed W
sir. are you not indeed hep"
''Be quiet, Mary" said the old gen. e,
man. Don't become excited. Let cs
make it pleasant here for Mr.. Hook W
smith, and perhaps he will remain pr
7eral days with us. Tell us something OF
out yourself, Mr.. Hockersmish?" ii,
Il was born in Richmond. Va" 1
'lied. land my parents died when l &C
s quite Young. | went into the army g,