Western cyclone., 1886-12-16
AN ESCAPED LUNATIC.
who on earthi"

AN ESCAPED LUNATIC.
who on earthr'
Josiah Stoker broke off suddenly in
the midst of the conversation he had
been holding over the fence with his
1ext-door neighbor, and gazed up the
road.
A little old man with huge valise
was coming down it.
"He's pointing right here" said Rufus
BisseL
The old man came on slowly; paused
before the neighbors; set down his valise
and searched their faces with sharp,
Good-humored eyes.
Don't you know me, boys?" he
said.
The boys looked puzzled.
'Makes me think of Joel Tobey, 1
declare for itr' said Mr.. Stoker at last.
Just what | was thinking" SAID Mr..
Bissel.
"A man that used to keep store
here" Mr.. Stoker explained. "Bissel
and ! clerked for him one winter.
Twenty-Five years ago it was. He went
West"
don't say SOP" said the old man
with chuckle. "WelI he's come
backT'
There was a chorus of exclamations
and hearty hand-shaking.
"Of course you'll put up with meP"
said Mr.. Stoker, Hospitality. 'My wife,
Sarah Burt that was, she'll be glad to
give you bed"
A pretty, dark-eved girl opened the
door. my daughter Jenny" said Mr..
Stoker, proudly. ''And my wife," he
added, indicating the motherly woman
advancing to meet them.
There were two chairs bv the fire and
. pitcher OF cider IN the cupboard.
Things nave gone along pretty slow
with Bissel and me-" said Mr. Stoker,
wiping his mouth and leaning forward
70 poke up the Goals We've lived
alongside of each other for twenty-five
years without anything happening to
speak of. just now, to be sure, we're
rather looking for something. Bissels
son. Wallace, has come home from
college lately, and he and my girl there
have taken q regular shine to each other.
No telling what'll come of it. And
how'S the West?"
The old mans face grew animated.
"Well," he said, cOmplacently, "silver
mining rather more paying than store
keeping"
What have you been doing all these
years?" asked Mr.. Stoker.
"Silver mining" responded his guest.
i've been at it for years, Stoker; and
I've made my pile. l could buy up this
town and fifty like itp'
Good gracious, Tobey!" gasped the
hearer. And he sat in open-monthed
wonder while Tohey, with his .wrinkled
face aglow, described his nine and the
manner in which he had struck"
There's one thing that troubles me
considerable" Tobey concluded; Il
hAin't relative in the world StOker-
not onei And the question is, what's
going to become of my money! 1t wor-
riOS me"
"You don't sayP' said Mr.. Stoker,
alphabetically.
There was pause.
"See here. Stoker," said the old man,
bringing his fist down on the table,
suddenly, ''you're as good friend as
I've got knew you when YOU was
boy, Stoker. See here's why shouldn't
yOu nave LILY uOu6JE
Mr. Stoker, having no satisfactory
reason ut hand, was silent
"It's bargain" said Tobey, with
energy. You're the man, Stoker.
1eOl it You're deserving of it, Stoker,
and you shall have it No, you needn't
Say word-not word I've made
up my mind"
And Tobey drained his mug with
benevolent smile.
When MIR. Blssel came over that
Ovening-his son Wallace had arrived
, full hour before and was talking to
Jenny Stoker in q Corner-he noted n
change in his friend and neighbor.
Mr.. Stoker was excited. He paced
the room restlessly while TobeY and
Ar. Bissel talked over old times by the
hrc; and the remarks he addressed to
ano latter were vaguely patronEing.
Ar. BlsSel was puzzled; but he went
home without discovering a clew to the
mystery, leaving Wallace still absorbed
n pretty Jenny Stoker.
The old man came downstairs next
morning with his big vaiise humping
after him.
Thought I'd give Bissel turn to-
day." he explained And see here.
Dtoker." he added. conlidentially, Il
wouldnt say anything to Bissel, if /
was in your place. about that little
plan OF mine; it might make hard feel
ingA"
Just so, just So" said Mr.. Stoker,
aPProvingly.
When he settled himself against the
fence that afternoon. therefore. for a
iio scnY chat with Mr.. BiSsel, in a like
Anaiop on his side of it. il was with n
aia,. ,tibly increased condescension in
inner.