Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-08-11
BY PARNA'S GRAVE.
Tho Story Told by An Old Man to
A Chance Acquaintance.

ger-car was old and small and low.
ce'led, the red plush seats were faded
the little panes Of glass grimy, and il
was onl y after repeated efforts that
succeeded in raising tho window to leI
the soft wind of early autumn blow
against my face. 1t was with regret
that Viewed the fields and woods. fol
l was leaving them, and every tree
bcckOned to me, and whispered; "Stay
stay until the frost has turned oui
leaves. until November gales have
stripped us bare, until we hide beneath
the thick white snow, until the spring
comes slowly up our way" l won
dercd If would stay il could; wheth-
er, if all the world were before me,
would choose to pitch my tent on some
solitary beach aor within sound of the
soughing pines. Was not my longing
born OF comfortable contentment:
Was | not in my heart of hearts down
right glad to be going back to the town.
"a my friends, my work, my winter
pleasures? A great clump OF sumach
burnt red in little hollow, and my
thoughts jumped to the reading-room OF
my club, to Il deep crimson armchair
by the open fire, aud in an instant the
rumble of the train sounded like the
laden Omnibuses toilng over the city
street. The conversation of two stolid,
midGle-agcd men behind me called
me back from my dreams. and
l was listening TO their droning
account of the evil doings OF sundry
persons in Saybrook. when the train
stopped, and the brakeman called out
the place in an inquiring tone that
matched his up-turned nose and high
circling eyebrows From my window
! saw on the platform tw0 young;sh,
querulous-!ookng women, who regard
ed with anxious interest thick -set
whito-haired old man. Evidently he
was about to start on 3 journey, for he
carried n satchel which was rs new and
shining as his tall silk hat. He sprang
from the platform, not lightly, but gay
ly, and with half-laughing half-frown-
ing refusal OF the aid eagerly rendered
him by both the fussy women. They
glanced at each other significantly AN
pursed up their lips,
Now, pa, you have got to take some
sort of care of YOURSELF" said one Of
them. in aggrieved tones. "You will
git hurt if you go jumping about that
way"
Tho other woman shook her head
with forlorn air that was in itself
prophecy of future mishap to the agile
old gentleman; and then she and her
companion lifted their skirts very hish
and stepped down to the ground caro-
fully, as if 10 show that they knew
enough to be needed how they placed
their precious feet. Then fey gave the
old gentleman much doleful good adj
vice, and he, declaring that he was
sight smarter than they thought, b.
slowed a hearty kiss upon each, and.
wrenching himself free from their
clutches, got on the Car just as the
train began to glide away. He came
slowly down the aisle, looking ri.ht
and left toward the well-tilled seats,
until he arrived opposite me, when he
halted and glanced at the portmanteau
that had so far been defense against
intruders. made a place for him at
once, for my heart warmed toward him
i hardly know why, unless it were
because he reminded me vaguely OF my
own whte-haired father, dead this
many year.
Thank you, young man," he said
'Got the window open, ch? Just lem
me- wave my handkerchief out of it TO
the girls, will you2
He leaned heavily on my knees and
waved his handkerchief mernly to the
two women, who shook theirs sadly in
return. This ceremony over, my com
panion squared himself in the seat and
looked unnaturally grave. He wore
now suit of black broadcloth, cut MS
only country tailor can cut black
broadcloth, the low vest displaying a
great cXpanse of white shirt that cnded
ut the neck in high collar. about
which was tied soft black-silk scarf.
The ends and loops of the scarf were so
carefully pulled out and arranged that
| would have wagered anything that
one of those elderly girls had presided
over this part Of the old gentleman's
toilet. His hands were brown, but not
hard as those OF man who holds a
plow, and his face was lighted by
pair OF shrewd, twinkling blue eyes. lie
brushed white thread off his coat, he
crossed his legs, he looked askant ut
nc, and remarked that it was fine
lay. Like flash there came into mind
A droll dissertation OF Heinz oh Heine's
upon the possible horrible consequences
that may follow if one does not cap the
remark "Fine weather to-day" with
AYES. To-day we have fine weather."
md replied promptly that had never
,nown more perfect autumn day.
"Just the morning ~ start off, said
he old man. MY girls kind o sur
missed it would rain; but l guess it was
'nly because they wanted to keep me
lome. They couldn't see why l should
tart up all OF u sudden and 60 visit
n.y."
$50 you are off on pleasure-trip?"
remark, d.
He nodded and smiled: 81 ain going
'ery far; but it's to II place where |
lin been in long time, though / have
ived within twenty miles OF it for more
han thirty-iiye years. Queer how you
ravel here and there and don't think Of
llaceS right near home" .-
Eyes" said. Il was born and
'a'scd fifty or sixty miles from Niagara,
Iut never went TO see the Falls"
My companion slapped his knee:
That's Just it, have been living al
most next door, as you might say, to
ny old home, where l grew up, and
lin I been there in ten years. | went
over once to the funeral of an uncle of
mine, my mothers only brother, and
amt seen any of the folks, except now
md then as they would come on bust
ness or something of that sort to our
village. Lately. though, l have had a
great desire 10 90 back-want to Sc.
The orchards that hooked apples from
when ] was a boy" lie paused and
,huckled at the delightful memory OF
nis youthful pranks; but his face grew
grave, and when he continued it was in
\ low, confidential tone: "You sec, have
got to go pretty soon. for had n warning
this spring-a stroke paralysis apo
plcxy-Idon't know which; for awhile