The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-10-24
AFTER FORTY YEARS.
A Singular Meeting on Board a
Lake Propeller.

were gathered in the cabin of n lake pro
pellor, bound down, one stormy night
One or two of the number had stemmed
the monotony and broken the ice
towards freer feeling by rehearsing
some light anecdotes or "reminiscences
when a gray-haired, rotund gentleman
ventured as above. All attention was
given him, and he then continued:
''As l was one Of them / will DO more
personal and say that we we're strong,
well-built specimens Of manhood and
had any amount of grit; and we had
also made up our minds to be fully in
dependent of the world and of each
other. We went together from Buffalo
to Detroit by boat. Arriving at De.
troit and spending day or two in look
ing about we then, after consultation,
concluded TO part company and each go
in the direction he thought best
Before parting we agreed TO return
to our old home at Rochester in forty
years, if our lives were spared This
was putting it long ways shaad, bu.
this was only another freak.
well, as before said, am one of the
three, and am now on my way to Roch-
ester, in fulflIment of the agreement
made. l don't know whether l shall
heard word from either Of them, and
really do not know whether to think
they are alive or dead
While this was being said. a vounr
man, who had been trying 70 read by
the dim, 1ickering light, put aside his
book and strained eagerly 70 catch
every word uttered by the story-tcIIcr.
1T might in view of this" continued
tho man Of gray hairs, "be interesting
70 you, gentlemen, 70 have brief
sketch Of what has happened TO me
since that time Of my separation from
my comrades-nOw almost forty years
ago.
Yes, yes, let Us have it" they all
.ried.
Tho old gentleman moved himself
into a moro comfortable position. whiIo
the young man edged himself a little
closer 70 tho group
well, / struck straight north. Toak
boat for Mackinaw. and from there
drifted % Green Bay, Wis. There was
nothing Of Green Bay then. but l saw
some good land, and by wiggling around
/ managed 20 get hold OF some OF it
then hold on. IL was pretty hard work
sometimes, hut I never let that land 90.
and, as result il is worth many thou
sands OF Uncle Sans big silver dollars.
But that is only on one line, and is a
little out Of order. I started n little
supply store in Green Bay when il first
began 20 develop. and as I was having
moderate success, soon got me wife.
''Woll, we padded along without
much occurring, until one day a big fell
low came into my store-said he was a
'umberman-and ordered a heavy bill
goods. He then went out, and in
few hours returned considerably intoxi-
Gated and wanted 20 borrow $40. /. OF
course, could not let him have il, for
had not found time 70 look up who my
customer was, and feared he might be
trying TO swindlc me. Upon my refusing
his request he became very much en-
ragged, and commenced shooting at mo
with big pistol he carried. In defense
OF myself / seized a loaded gun, that
was standing in a corner, and, in tho
heat of the moment l discharged it to-
ward him, and was imm ediately horri-
fed TO sec him fall and dio at once.
We'll, 70 make long story short,
was exonerated from all guilt By the
authorities; and yet every little while
heard some ono whisper and look or
point toward me, and il made me feel
very uneasy. So I finally decided TO
pull up stakes and 90 farther West.
About this time, however, was draft
cd into the military service-the war
had Just begun-and went through the
whole campaign, leaving behind those
two fingers" holding up his hand for
inspection, and bringing out the long
scar on the back Of my head.
Il then went West again, picked up
my family, and struck into she grazing
district OF Montana 1 bought a few
head OF cattle at first, and, by care, /
have been able to see these multiply,
until now have one Of the largest and
most successful cattle ranches in that
section Of country. / have seen all
kinds OF 'roughing it out there. and
may say that / have had many advcn-
lures Of varied nature. / am now sixty
four years old and bid fair 70 see oighty-
four, SO far as my general bodily vigor
is concerned.
such is, briefly, my life, and what il
has done; and you don't know how anx-
ious 1 am TO learn OF those other two
young mentor l can only SEQ them as
young men-and to know the result Of
their forty years struggle"
This was told in an interesting and
pleasant tone, and had Just been fin
ished, when the young man who had
been listening so intently stepped for
ward, and addressing himself 70 the lit
tie old gentleman, said, politely:
Excuse me, sir; but may l ask your
name?7
Certainly, sir-ccrtainly," was re-
piled, and the old gentleman gave his
full name.
Then, sir" said the young man, II
want TO grasp your hand, for you are my
fathers old friend, and am now on my
way 70 Rochester 20 find a gentleman
Of your name and bearing your his
tory"
What" exclaimed the old-timor. ex-
great surprise; you don't
mean % say that you are tho son Of one
of those two lost ones-one Of the two
associated with me in that freak Of forty
years ago?''
"Yes, sir, d" said tho tall young fellow.
That is just what I mean"
We'll, we'll! just step here,where the /
light Will show better. Yes, 1 see
distinct resemblance. You certainly l
ook very much like that hearty young |
OF mine forty years ago; /
'ery much, in fact, as have almost ex-
'cctcd 20 see him-thoUgh / know that 4
yer half lifetime has passed by. But
our father-teu me Of him at once"
nd the little old man began 70 get
dgcty.
They relaxed their grasp Of each
thers' hands and sat down together,
lille the others gave every attention
My father Is dead, began the young
IAN.
What said the sire az his side.
Yes. my father, and the companion