Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-09-17
MY DEAR OLD FRIEND.

had Just come out of the post Office,
when | caught sight of face that seemed
familiar to me.
1t was that of man of about my own
age, with bronzed features and some
what attenuated figure.
As | was trying to recall when and
where had seen him before our eyes met,
| Immediately perceived that our recogni-
ton had been mutual, for he came toward
me with frank expression of pleasure
and held out his hand, saying:
''Helloa, old fellow, who'd have thought
of seeing you here?' don't know why he
said this. and of course. | didn't attempt
to defend it; but it is style of address
affected by some men who are as pro.
foundly astonished if they meet you in d
restaurant as if they had run across you IL
the mines of Siberia. | felt a little blt
annoyed at his want Of originality; how
ever, | smiled pleasantly, and said, as
shook hands:
"Well, if you come to that, old fellow,
who'd have thought of seeing you here? =
We stood opposite each other for few
seconds, | s;mpering somewhat emptily at
the nature of your greeting, and struggling
to recall his name; and he, with his head
slightly on one side and an expression OF
courteously suppressed amusement on his
face as if my presence on the steps OF the
post office was one of those inexplicable
freaks of chance for which it is hopeless
to seek to assign any reasonable law.
gave him few seconds to digest his
establishment, and then, feeling that the
silence was becoming little embarrassing
said. inconsequently:
"Well, what have you been doing alt
this time?'
Well he replied, I've been in
Australia"
''Oh, hal / calculated, as if it had for
moment slipped my memory; ''why, you
went there and hesitated as thong d
calculating within myself the exact day Of
his unknown departure
Three years ago." he put in shortly,
land quite long enough it is, too.
ran over in my mind my acquaIn
tances of three years ago, but could not re-
call no trace O. recollection of my new
companion; so. to gain time and to gather
fresh information. | asked:
And what sort of time have you
had?"
"Oh. much about the same as before, .
he answered, with a slightly puzzled AR
| candidly adm it that the sensible thing
for me to have done would have been t(
own up and admit that | had forgotten my
friends personality. Unfortunately, an
one of those painfully constituted people
who shrink with nervous horror from any
thing in the nature of an explanation, and
In addition, | felt that | had gone too fal
to cry off without some appearance OF IN
sincerity. Besides, he seemed to congrat-
ulate himself SO warmly upon what he IN
sisted upon looking on as our providentla
hat CnalpH
felt confirmed in the IDEA that if lie
things slide little longer his name woul,
recur to my mind.
He had slipped his arm through mine a
we walked up town with an easy sense o
good fellowship, and said ''Of cours
you'll dine with me this evening. Now
don say you are engaged, he added, a
| hesitated for al instant between my de
sire to have more Of my companion an;
my Discrimination to dine under false pre-
lenses; You know they'll be awfully dis
appointed if they hear have met you AM
let you off without long talk, and / Joll
them tomorrow.
| felt constrained to consent against N
better judgment, and added In playful
sollcltous manner:
And how are they ALP"
"Oh, they are all tip-top = all cxceI
the Colonel" after pause and with
slightly subdued air-'I don't thin
he has ever quite got over; that affair,
All" I responded, shaking my hea
sympathetitallv. lone doesn't get over tina
sort of thing in day. you know; but tn
others p
"What otbers?" he said, bluntly.
Ihesit&ted and rejoined vaguely, 'Wer
there not some Others?"
He pondered heavily for a few second
before replying: . Yes, believe ther
were some others, but that made no di
ference"
was just murn uring, VERY likel
not" when he turned to me abruptly an
said: Il hope you don't think he cam
badly out of that business?"
His hand seemed to relax It's pressure o
my arm, as if he was preparing h1mse
fo- some censure or act of GOODNESS on n
part.
felt touched by this little proof of hi
sensitiveness to my good opinion, an
pressed his fingers as rejoined, warmly
Il never, never heard any one spea
otherwise than highly of his conduct
the matter"
He stopped and said, shortly:
why, who knows anything about ii
/ thought you and | had it all 10 on
selves"
''Yes, yes, y faltered, and added, ''yt
know you have been away for some tim
old fellow"
1t did not seem TO fit in very well; but |
accepted it as an argument, and said
There is something in that; but don
let people talk about it. know ne reli
upon you and me.
There was something so touching in Il
reliance of this unknown that IA glow
sympathetic affection warmed my hear
and resolved on the spot that this co
fdence should not be misplaced. Con
what come might. the secret of the Q
mans life should never be betrayed
me. Others might make it subject
club gossip or tea-table tittle-tattle, but
word of mine should add one drop of b
terness that had been placed to his LIP
There are passages in the lives of all of
which we would wish to have buried
oblivion--the thoughtless folies of yout