Morris tribune., 1889-09-25
HIS HAIR TURNED WHITE.
A MYSTERIOUS CALLER WITH A
BLACK BORDERED ENVELOPE.

The Message II Little Dying Boy Sent His
Father-How a Sad Incident in His Life
Was Recalled to an Ex-CsnSressman.
What Became of the Messenger Boy?
That was a strange story told by an
ex-congressman the other day. and tn"
circumstances under which it was re
lated were somewhat peculiar. The
story was told as the literal truth, and
there can be no reason for doubling its
authors veracity,
It was few evenings ago that the ex-
congressman sat with a couple Of news
paper correspondents and a government
official in the latter's room in big hotel
in this city. They were discussing poIi-
tics, and the ex-congressnan was talk
ng,when he was interrupted by knock
at the door. IN response to eh invita-
ton the door was opened and messen-
ger hoy stood at the entrance In his
hand was an envelope with a heavy
black border. 1t was such as those used
to inclose death message or to indicate
deep mourning. The boy paused for
moment, evidently specializing in his
mind as to the proper person to receive
the letter Finally he rendered it to the
ex-congressman, who was nearest the
door. That Individual turned pale and
trembled but extended his hand as if to
take the message. He hesitated an in
slant and his hand dropped nerveiess. l.
second time he essayed to take the mes
sage from the boy and again he failed.
It was only after the third effort that he
was apparently able to reach it, and by
that time the government official for
whom it was intended had come to the
door, read the address and took the mes=
sage from the trembling hand that had
received it.
"Ah," said he, after opening and read
ing it, sit is only note from an office
seeker Why it should be in mourning
don't know. AS the Office seeker is
woman, presume it is merely femi-
nine freak"
THE MYSTERIOUS MESSENGER.
Everybody had noticed the strange
demeanor of the ex-congressman, and,
observing that an explanation was ex-
pected, he finally said:
II think that the use of black bordered
envelopes ought to be prohibited by law.
The very sight of one unnerves me.
When tell you why you may doubt the
truth of the tale, but it is true neverthe-
less. Ten years ago l was making a
political canvass in my district. At the
close of a speech one afternoon received
a telegram from home stating that my
boy, the idol of my life, was dying, and
come at once. l went Immediately to
the hotel took my satchel and started for
the depot.
There was no passenger train due for
some hours, but freight was pulling
out and l jumped aboard. 1t was late
when reached a little town on the river
where could take boat for home. /
hurried to the wharf and found that the
steamer would not pass until after mid
night, and that l would thus be delayed
many hours. was undecided whether
to wait for the steamer or to hire boat
and leave at once. While I stood ON the
wharf hesitating a messenger boy sud-
denly appeared before me. Before I
could say anything he thrust into my
hand a white envelope, with heavy
black border. A strange feeling came
over me, and it was only by the greatest
effort that I was able to open the letter.
The apprehension felt in few mo-
ments was awful, for l knew that it
must contain dread news. When finally
I looked at the letter there appeared in a
strange hand the-single sentence:
"You must come quick.
'There was no signature, and nothing
to indicate the origin of the letter, and
when turned to inquire of the messen-
ger he had disappeared as completely as
if swallowed by the earth. knew that
the message referred to my boy, al
though I was entirely ignorant of the
source. I knew that I must hurry if I
would see him alive.
THE DYING BOY.
'The message decided me, and at once
sought boatman, and, securing his
services, started down the river.
reached home some hours ahead of the
steamboat upon which had originally
intended to come. I rushed to the house
and was ushered into the presence of my
dying boy. As approached the bedside
he recognized me with smile, and then
said:
"'Papa, I've been waiting for you