West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-05-22
BY PARNA'S GRAVE.
The Story Told by An Old Man to
A Chance Acquaintance.

The train paused at every lonely sta
ton, sometimes permitting a passen-
ger to alight, but oftener gathering up
belated summer tourists-the women
with golden-rod or asters in their belts.
the men with fish baskets or game bags
over their shoulders. The one passen-
ger-car was old and small and low
ceiled, the red plush seats were faded.
the little panes of glass grimy, and it
was only after repeated efforts that
succeeded in raising the window TO let
the soft wind of early autumn blow
against my face. 1t was with regret
that viewed the fields and woods. for
was leaving them, and every tree
beckoned to me, and whispered: Stay
stay until the frost has turned our
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
dered if would stay if l could; wheth-
er, If all the world were before me. 1
would choose TO pitch my tent on some
solitary beach or within sound OF the
mug BAhNNN. w rs nOl lily longing
born of a comfortable contentmentp
Was not in my heart of hearts down
right glad to be going back TO the town.
90 my friends, my work. my winter
pleaSuresP A great cump of sumach
burnt red in a little hollow and my
thoughts jumped TO the reading room of
my club, TO deep crimson arm chair
by the open fire. and in an instant the
rumble of the train sounded like the
laden omnibuses toiling over the city
street The conversation of two stolid,
midGle-aged men behind me called
me back from my dreams. and
was listening to their droning
account of the evil doings OF sundry
persons in SaybTook, 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 two youngish,
querulous-ioOktng women, who regard
ed with anxious interest thicE-set.
white-haired old man Evidently he
was about TO start on Journey for he
carried a satchel which was as 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 az each other significantly and
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
The other woman shook her head
NIT Zoe
prophecy of future mishap to the agile
ola gentleman; and then she and her
companion lifted their skirts very HIGH
ana stepped down to the ground care
FULLY, as if 10 show that they knew
enough TO be needed how they placed
their precious feet Then they gave the
old gentleman much doleful good adj
vice, and he. declaring that he was a
sight smarter than they thought be-
slowed a hearty kiss upon each. and.
wrenching himself free from their
clutches. got on the car just as the
rain began to glide away. He came
slowly down the aisle, looking right
md left toward the well-flled seats.
until he arrived opposite me, when he
halted and glanced at the portmanteau
that had so far been a defense against
lntrUders. j made place for him at
once, for my heart warmed toward him
i hardly know why. unless 10 were
b"cause be reminded me vaguely Of nv
own white haired father. dead this
many "a year
Thank you, young man he said
Got the window open. ch2 just lem
me waive my handkerchief out Of it TO
the girls, will yOu2
lie leaned heavily on my knees and
waved his handkerchief meTrilv TO the
two women, who shook theirs sadly i'm
return. hi. ceremony over. my com
panion squared himself in the seat and
looked unuaturally grave lie wore n
new suit Of black brOadclOth cut ss
only country tailor can cut black
brOadclOth. the low vest DISPLAYING
great eXpanse OF white shirt that ended
8t the neck in p high collar about
which was tied a 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
toilet Ills hands we're brown. bat not
hard as those Of a man who holds
pIow, and his face was lighted bv
pair Of -breVd. twiuklIng blue eyes. he
~ .i"Ii'N al WNNNN LLfFaN OFT UIa coat. Np
crossed bis legs. ho looked askaut al
me and remarked that 81 was a fine
day Like q cash there came into mind
dro'l dissertation Of Heinrich Hofne
upon the possible horrible consequences
that may follow if one does not CAP the
remark Pine weather to-day with
''1e to-day we have fine weather.
aud replied promptly that had never
known more perfect autumn day
dust NE morning fO star. OIL aid
me old man. Ny girls kind D ur
missed q would rain bu. J guess ii va
only because theg wanted to keen roe
home. They cogidu' see why ! should
start mp an Of q sudden and go visit
ing
$50 you are OF on pIeasure-uip'
/ remark q
He nodded and smiled. ''I ain goino
very far bat irs 20 a place where I
ain been in % long time. though have
lived within twenty miles Of 10 for more
Than thirty-iive year. Queer how Won
travel here and there and don think of
places right uqar bone