Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-06-19
AGREAT AWAKENING.

A GREAT AW AhENING.
If the reader can conceive what his
emotions would be upon meeting face to
face in a crowded street man whose
funeral he had attended seven years be-
fore, he viii then be able to realize how
I felt when I came suddenly upon Milton
Ross IN a far western city.
/ stopped abruptly, rooted to the pave
rnent. as it were with the shock
"Why, Milton % L cried, holding forth
my hand.
There was not a sign Of recognition in
his face; indeed there was that very faint
curl of the lip, hardly a sneer, which is
often seen when a person is saluted by
mistake. But it was impossible that
could make any mistake about this man.
Years before had met him almost daily
IL our eastern home, had frequently
transacted business with him-kneW him,
rs the saying goes, as well as though he
had been my brother. And what if 1 had
attended his funeral seven years before ?
There he stood, in his own person, the
same as when / last saw him in life,
bearing not a trace Of age nor change.
''You surely know me, Milton" said.
81 am John Turner"
This time there was a very decided
sheer, and it was in his speech.
~ don't doubt that your acquaintance
Is a very desirable one, Mr.. Turner, to
those who are hOnored with it; but 1
have the misfortune not to be Of the
number. Please stand aside, sir"
I obeyed, in dumb amazement, and he
walked ON. Every word and motion
gave me increased assurance that there
was no mistake. Not only was the voice
that Of Milton Ross, but the manner and
substance Of his speech had that half
sarcastic dash for which he had been no
ted. I watched him as he strobe of
through the crowd; and there was that
peculiar gait, that L would have sworn
to anywhere; a weakness in the right
hip causing the step of that foot to be
shorter than the step of the left.
Ny business in this town was finished,
and was on my way to the railroad sta
ton when this meeting occurred. My
resolution was at once taken to wait for
another train. Nature had given me an
investigating disposition. was not the
person to see dead men walking abou
without calling them to account for the
eccentricity of the proceeding. So fol-
lowed my quondam and once buried
friend down the street. keeping him cas-
lily in sight. Once 1 stopped a gentle
man who had the air of being a resident
OF the place, begged his pardon, and in
dicating the object Of my pursuit, asked
him if he could tell me that mans name
He could, certainly. That was Stanley
Robbins, the merchant.
Lives hereY"
20, yes"
"HOW lOngF'
Ny informant reflected an instant, and
said that the time was rather more than
six years.
L continued the pursuit. 1t led me
into a large dry-gOOds establishment
over the handsome front of which was
displayed in great gilt letters the name
of Robbins. Walking straight back Il
the office found the proprietor alone
His fair forehead contracted into a frOwI
as he saw me; and then he did a thing
that seemed to me very significant. He
closed the open door.
"Sir, You are laboring under a very
curious delusion," he said
"Sir, / am notl You are long resi-
dence of S., in the state Of
&
so much life into you don't know, anC
have the curiosity to find ont. How
was itf'
The man certainly had wonderful
amazing self-pOssessiOn. 1 had adopted
tone and manner Of cool assurance
hoping to throw him of his guard, bu
he OVermatched me. His face wore al
easy smile, combined amusement anC
irritation, and he replied promptly to ny
accusation:
''AIy dear sir, please remember that
am a business man and have not the tim
for any. sensational nonsense. You loOl
like a person in possession OF his senses
and I am willing to believe that it is on
ly your zeal that has led you into annoy
ing me about on accidental resemblance
If you have no other business here
must wish you good morning"
How provokingly cool he was, to b,
surel But / was not to be thrown of
the scent by any such device. put ny
card down on the desk before him.
'slGr. Ross, / SAID, "there is my name
it is well enough known to you withou
the card. I shall leave this town by TIN
8 O'Clock train. In the meantime I shal
be at the c. house. You'd bette
call there and explain this resurrection
70 me-"
He tipped away the card and tool
down ledger. My hand was on tn
door-knob, when he swung his stOO
round and faced me.
"You don't-that is-yOu won't thini
it necessary to telegraph or write t
s. before see you again G''
Confession spoke in the words!
Milton" / said, ''this incorporating
has gone far enough with us You se'
I can't be deceived. Speak out, now
like a men, and explain yourself
/ saw a rapid change in his face as he
opened the door himself and called out
''Alr. Perkins / shall be particularly
engaged for am hour. must not be
disturbed
he led the way to his private Office
locked the door and asked me to SIT
down. Then he stood before me, and
said IN a dehnant tone that was plainly
assumed:
''You are right, Mr.. Tanner, I am
Milton Ross. What thenP'
Nothing in particular; only it strikes
me that perhaps you have missed your
vocation. You seem to be doing a pros
porous dry goods business here; but
IRON the manner in which you have faced
me down for the last half hour I should
say you would make a capital actor."
His cool bravado vanished in an IN
slant; the strain had been 70 great and
his breakdown Has complete He drop
ped heiplessly into a chair and looked
pitifuliy at me-