Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-06-19
AGREAT AWAKENING.

AGREAT AWAKENING.
If the reader can conceive what bis
emotions would be upon meeting face to
face in a crowded street a man whose
funeral he had attended seven years be-
fore, he will then be able to realize how
L felt when 1 came suddenly upon Milton
Ross in far western city.
stopped abruptly, rooted to the pave,
ment, as it were with the shock.
"Why, Milton p cried, holding forth
my hand.
There was not sign of recognition in
his face; indeed there was that very faint
curl of the lip, hardly sheer, which is
often seen when person is saluted by
mistake. But it was impossible that
could make any mistake about this man
Years before had met him almost daily
in our eastern home, had frequently
transacted business with him-knew him
as the saying goes, as well as though he
had been my brother. And what if had
attended his funeral seven years before
There he stood, in his own person, the
same as when l last cav him in life
bearing not trace of age nor change.
"You surely know me, Milton" said
II am John Turner"
This time there was very decided
sheer, and it was in his speech.
81 don't doubt that your acquaintance
is very desirable one, Mr.. Turner, to
those who are honored with it; but ]
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. 1 watched him as he strobe off
through the crowd; and there was that
peculiar gait, that would have sworn
to anywhere; weakness in the right
hip causing the step of that foot to be
shorter than the step of the left.
My 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 about
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 I stopped gentle
man who had the air of being residen;
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 here?"
80, yes"
SHOW long?"
MY informant reflected an instant, and
said that the time was rather more than
six years.
1 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 to
the Office found the proprietor alone.
His fair forehead contracted into frown
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 very
curious delusion," he said.
"Sir, am notl You are long resi-
dence of S., in the state Of.
How you got out of your grave and got
SO much life into you don't know, and
I have the curiosity to find out. How
was it?'
The man certainly had wonderful,
amazing self-possession. had adopted
a tone and manner of cool assurance,
hoping to throw him off his guard, but
he overmatched me. His face wore an
easy smile, combined amusement and
irritation, and he replied promptly to my
accusation:
"My dear sir. please remember that 1
am business man and have not the time
for any sensational nonsense. You look
like person in possession of his senses,
and 1 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 l
must wish you good morning"
How provokingly cool he was, to be
sure! But I was not to be thrown off
the scent by any such device. I put my
card down on the desk before him.
"Mr. Ross" 1 said, "there is my name;
it is well enough known to you without
the card. I shall leave tbs town by the
5 O'Clock train. In the Meantime shall
be at the G. house. You'd better
call there and explain this resurrection
to me-"
He tipped away the card and took
down ledger. My hand was on the
door-knob, when he swung his stool
round and faced me.
"You don't-that is-you won't think
it necessary to telegraph or write to
s. before see you again?"
Confession spoke in the words!
Milton" said, ''this masquerading
has gone far enough with us, You see