The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1885-10-28
THE WRONG MAN.
Working the Confidence Came on an Old
New York Soldier.

New YORK Soldier.
James Chittcnden is well-to-do
farmer Of western New York, who
fought under Gen. Grant, and who
came 70 the city to pay the last sad
tribute to the memory of his old COM
mandcr. Time has whitened the long
hair which streams over his coat-couar,
and long bending at the plow has i'm
parted stoop to his broad shoulders;
but his face is ruddy with health, and
his step as drm and springy as ever,
while his arm is as strong and his
glance as bright as when he first Shout
Scred musket Many eyes were
turned upon him as he sauntered sadly
down Broadway on his way to the city
haAyesserasy afternoon in his travel
stained linen duster, needless OF the
elamor OF the passing crowds and the
din Of car-bells and carriage wheels
4 sorrowfui expression c(ouded the
benevolent countenancc Of the veteran,
and he was walking along slowly near
Canal street. saddcned by thoughts of
days that were gone, when he was as
tonished by cordial salutation from 8
slim. dudish youth, who suddenly smil-
cd up at him and waved at him al am
brosial hand giittering with rings:
why, bless my soul, Mr.. Smith,
exclaimed this product of latter-day
civilization Ia the most honeycd tones.
.'who ever would have thought of Sec
ing you? This is E; .ccG an unexpect-
ed pleasure.
Mr.. Chittenien for moment was
taken aback. He surveyed tho new
comcr from The crown OF his white tile
to the points of his dainty patcns-lcath-
er shoes and saw at once that he was
On entire stranger; but he loves joke,
and twinkle showed in his clear
gray eye as he replied with = quiet
smile:
'.My name~is--aat Smith; it's
Brown"
The "ndish young man bowed his
mos, onsble bow and at once pass
cd on, WIN proiuse apologies for his
mistake, and Mr.. Chittenden again
pursued his way. He had stopped
laughing at his little adventure and
had rc!apsed into his former train Of
meditation when he was > second time
accosteu by another appari,ion in $
standing collar and cuffs, and voice
even moro unctuous than tho first, sa-
luted him IS '.Mr. Brown" Whether
Alr. Chittendcn's faith in human nature
had been shaken by his first encounter,
or whether his love of q joke again I'M
PEELED him, he does not now remember,
but ne Immediately seized the hand
extended to him and shook it with cor
dial violence. uttering at the same time
the warmest greetings.
How do you find yourself, my dear
est friend? There. stand off so can
look ut you," cried the exuberant
farmer. emphasizing every word by
Tightening his grasp Of the strangers
hand. PLEASED to SEQ me? The pleas
ure is mine, sir; entirely mine. Only
to think Of It's being you! What, come
to see the funeral? How considerate
of you, eh?"
..Oh, yes. and--and all that sort of
thing" replied the other, his smile .
little fainter and his tone a little less
cordial than st first why. what an
afcctionate fellow you are, Mr..
Brown?"
..Aye, lad; cordiality runs in our
family" rsjoined the farmer, closing
bis fingers relentlessly and working
his arm like the handle Of q force
pump; sss firm hand shows o warm
heart. Afectionate? Well, I reckon
I am. None of your loose grips for
nae. Meet friend as friend, I say,
and don't be backward in showing
your friendship. Why, how we'll you
look. I SHOULD never have known
you
Time does alter one, it's true.
There, there, MIR. Brown; l have been
suffering with sore hand, if you would
kindly"
Don't mention it, sonny; don't
mention it Nothing like exercise to
keep good blood circulating. can
never control myself st the sight of an
old friend. Well well, only to think
that it's you. How-how-yon've
growedr'
Eyes, indeed, and that reminds me-
I've an important engagement and
see have 40 time to lose, so II you'll
Just excuse me-"
But Mr.. Chittenden is not the maa
to part from old friends SO hastily, and
so he only jerked the arm Of his new
acquaintance the harder. removing his
expressions OF delight By this time
the thing was getting serious. The
would-be confidence man was capering
with pain, and struggled in the vice
like grasp of the stalwart rustic like
lobster in the clutches of IN octopus.
His face and lips were colorless, and
his brow streamcd with cold perspira-
ton. His eyes stood out like saucers.
His collar broke leose, his hat fell of,
and the light seemed to have faded out
of his life. The agony depicted on his
lace was not lessened when he saw
that crowd was gathering: and the
farmer released hs1 only after final
wrench which nearly tore the willy
sharper's arm from its socket.
.'W6at, going already?" exclaimed
MIR. Chittenden, who had never turned
hair and rather enjoyed the exercise.
..Weli, well, you needn't be in such 3
hurry" he continued, in reproachtul
tone, as the confidence man picked
himself up and darted around the cor
ner out of sight of the approaching hg-
ure in the helmet and brass buttons.
That's rather shabby treatment Of an
old friend like me-but he didn't seem
so very glad to see me, after ali, and
Mr.. ehittenden beamed benignly upon
the grinning bystanders and calmly
.,,~eT,S his iournoS Mem York