Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-10-16

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 adven-
lures of varied nature. am now sixty
four years old and bid fair to see eighty
four, so far as my general bodily vigor
is concerned.
"Such is, briefly. my life. and what it
has done; and you don't know how anx-
ious / am to learn of those other two
young mentor l can only see 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 to the lit
tie old gentleman. said, politely:
"Excuse me, sir; but may | ask your
name?"
Certainly, sir-certainly," was re-
| piled, and the old gentleman gave his
full name.
''Then, SIR" said the young man, ~
want to grasp your hand, for you are my
| father old friend, and am now on my
way to Rochester to find a gentleman
of your name and beacing your his
tory"
''Whati" exclaimed the old-timer, ex-
hibiting great surprise; you don't
mean to say that you are the son Of one
of those two lost ones--one OF the two
associated with me in that freak of forty
years ago?'
Eyes. sir, said the tall young fellow.
THAT is just what mean"
"Well, WE'LL just step here where the
light will show better. Yes, see a
distinct resemblance. You certainly
look very much like that hearty young
companion of mine forty years ago;
very much, in fact, as ! have almost ex-
pected to see him-though | know that
over half lifetime has passed by. But
your father-tell me Ot him at once"
and the little old man began TO get
adgety.
They relaxed their grasp OF each
others hands and sat down together.
while the others gave every attention
my father is dead" began the yoeng
man.
What" said the sire at his side.
Eyes, my father, and the companion
of your younger days. Is no moro. He
passed away four years ago, and on his
dying bed he gave me the instructions
am now carrying out 1t was the one
wish of my fathers latter life to be able
TO take the Eastern trip to Rochester TO
meet the other two members OF that
party you have told of 1t was on his
mind great deal.
when my father died he was one of
the most prominent men on the Pacific
slope. He had figured In all the great
political events since 1860. and occu-
pied many positions of public worth
He became early interested IN the
fisheries of the northern coast and
during a visit to those grounds was
taken captive by rowing band of In
dams and held for over year He
finally succeeded in making his escape,
but was In the mountains for months,
at last, and by the merest chance, get
ting TO the coast again, and so on back
TO San Francisco lie became cashier
married the daughter of the bank pres
ident 1t was not long after this before
my father found himself president Of
the bank, which was the largest insti-
tuition of its kind on the Pacific coast
1t was then that my father began his
public career, and he continued TO rise
in worldly station until his death came.
/ am now one of the officers of the
bank Of which my father was for years
president and have large and pressing
interests to oversee, yet have left all,
for a time, for the sole purpose OF fol-
lowing out the wishes-I may almost
say the last wishes-of my father, rela-
tive to this trip to Rochester and the
hunting up of the other two OF that
original little party OF forty years ago
/ have some mementoes with me that
father put aside for those he expected
TO meet this year at Rochester. and now
/ am afraid that we will have to unite
our powers in an effort 30 find No. of
the original party"
Just then a violent stamping was
heard in one Of the little state-rooms
one side of where the narrators and
their small body of listeners were
seated. Then two or three sharp kicks
came against the door. followed by:
''Consarn It'll ef ! hadn't got sech in
fernal tight boots, Jest T. go down to
Rochester in, | wouldn't hev { kick tn
internal legs off'n me when wanted e
put them on"
Then there came great bang, with a
THAR, by goll"
Immediately thereafter tall, thin.
straight-haired old fellow opened the
door Of the room from which the noise
had come. and. minus collar and with
one trouser leg caught on the top OF his
boots, Re stood there in the dim glare of
the oscillating light and looked with
bewilderment towards the wondering
ones about the table.
Ken any OF you fellers tell me Of
I've ben DREAMING" he inquired, after
moment or two had passed
Il don't believe we can, uncle" said
one of the number.