Milford chronicle., 1888-11-02
A STRANGE STORY,

A STRANGE SI0RY.
That many of you will laugh at it,
probability l do not doubt However
we laugh most at that. which we do not
understand and cannot explain.
was not as boy particularly different
from other boys Of my age. Perhaps
was more fond Of books and reading thar
the average, but that 1 inherited from
both parents, and I am afraid that wal
not at all particular about the quality
either-dime novels, Scott, ancient history
or smonett-everything that came in my
way
One thing was a great source of trouble
to me as grew older, and has remained q
great mystery until this day It was
this: was often awoke out of a sound
sleep by somebody speaking my name.
At first It frightened me, and later ]
would spring out Of bed, and striking a
light, search everywhere, but nothing
could be seen. Then tried locking my
door, but it made no difference; the
"vOice" or "voices, whatever they might
be, were still there.
told my father, but he only laughed,
and advised me to see a doctor.
And now the voices, if anything, be-
came more frequent, until they came to
be an old story, and was 10 years of age
when the events am about to tell you Of
took place.
We lived in the college town of c.,
and, being well-to-do people, moved in
the best society of the place; for, you
know that, no matter how small a place NAV
be, it has its grades Of society, and there
is always "the best" Father had been a
professor, but i'll health obliged him to
give up teaching; and with fair income,
In a congenial neighberhood, his last days
seemed to be pleasant ones. It was
great source of grief to him that his only
son would not enter college. But on this
point was obstinate, and finding that l
was so opposed to a college life, he-bless
his heartl-fnally gave in, and entered
the counting room of a wholesale house in
the city.
And sister Nellie-she was not a
beauty as we judge of beauty; but she
was bright, lively and happy-like sun
shine wherever she went. Every face
frightened when she came near; old and
young had only words Of praise for Miss
Nellie"
She was great favorite with the col
lege boys, and many a quarrel did they
have on her account. Yet she showed no
preference for any. When l joked her
about them, she would laugh, and, put
ting her arms about my neck, say: "You
dear old brother, you are worth more
than the whole lotH
Nellie. darling sister Nellie, how I
loved her And she-well, nobody ever
had such brother, and no lover found
favor in her eyes when brother WHIP
was around.
It was in 1861. Fort Sumter had been
fired upon and taken, South Carolina had
decided to leave the Union, and war was
declared. Everybody was full of excite
ment and among the rest. begged my
father to let me enlist, for, not being of
age, could not without his consent; but
he refused, though his eyes flashed as he
read the papers, and in his impatience
longed to be young again. He could not
give his only son.
! remember so well when he placed his
hand on my shoulder, and, pointing
through the open door where my mother
sat reading, shook his head and left me-
But those days-whO of us can ever
forget theml The spring and summer
passed by, and those who had said that
the war would be over in few months
began to lose confidence in their own pre-
dictiOns, and as winter came on they,
with the rest Of us, accepted the sad fact
that 1t was to be q long, hard struggle
Both sides were brave and determined.
Nellie was very enthusiastic and Tery
patriotic; she sympathized with me in my
desire to fight for my country; and yet,
after one OF those long talks to cheer me
up, she would-wOman hke-spoil it all
by putting her arms about me, and ex-
claiming mo, no, brother viii; we can't
let you go.
How busy she was in those daysi doing
everything for the comfort OF those who
were fighting, and cheering those who
were left behind. Many were the bless
ings that were called down upon her for
her words Of comfort and her other acts
Of more substantial nature.
One day In December was sitting in
my Office at work, or, rather, I should
have been at work. but feeling Of un-
easiness possessed me without any ap-
parent cause, and had laid down my pen
and was looking out Of the window,
watching the people pass and thinking Of
nothing In particular. did not know
what was the matter with Ine; ! only felt
uneasy. Suddenly heard a ''voice" at
my side speak a. those svoicesS never
had before: "Wiliiel Williel'
sprang from my seat so thoroughly
frightened that the other clerks noticed
f, and fearing was going to faint, came
TO my assistance.
L pa any Of them speak to met
pa they hear any one call my namsa
No.
II was nearly o'clock, and knowing
that could do no more work that day, /
put on my hat and coat and went home.
I cannot tell you how felt, wish words
could express it, but as neared home
knew something had happened. went
In. Everything seemed as usual Father
sat inhis library, and nodded as passed
byi apd mother kissed me as she always
dtd when / came home at night.
; Where's Nellief" asked