Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-03-04

down also, staring half fearfull, st me.
Great Godl was that myselfP That
white hair-could 1t be mine? No, 1t
was wig. Some one was playing
joke upon me. l put up my hand
No, it would not come off.
l went back and lay down upon nv
bed, very weak, utterly disheartened.
Later was driven slowly down to the
beach, and saw all that was left Of
the steamer-a few blackened spars,
and the charred hull. Many people
were examining, either from curiosity
or for Identification, the bodies as they
were brought in. There was a long
trench in the sand, in which were
placed those not identified. 1t ap-
peared that the steamer had been
wrecked on a county line, and two
coroners were there quarrelling over
the bodies, and claiming their fees.
My friend helped me out of the
wagon, and seated me on rock close
by-a most forlorn and unkempt fig-
ure / must have presented. Two men
stood near where l sat, and one of
them spoke of having received another
telegram from Cleveland inquiring if
the body Of the man K. had been
found. A cold chill ran down my
back. Producing the telegram, be
read the description:
Twenty-eght years of age. five feet nine
inches In height, weight about one hundred
a"d sixty pounds. fair skin, blue eyes, black
hair, small hands and feet, mole on LETT
shoulder. Has the body been founds Have
Il properly prepared for burial, aud send u
H., Cleveland.
was ok" and they were hunting
Tor my body TO prepare it for burial!
My friend came back Just then, and
l begged to be taken TO the hotel at
once. l must start for home, said,
as soon as possible. Arriving at the
house, l saw a carriage aud horse stand
ing before the door. Four gentleman
came out and agreed TO take me with
them.
L learned from their conversation
hat my companion had been sent out
from Cleveland to identify the dead
and find the living. Each related in
cidents connected with the search. They
spoke of being out In boats, some
times all night, dragging for bodies, of
seeing the thieves at their villanous
work, Of the disgraceful quarrelling of
the coroners, and of the discomforts
Of camping out. At length one Of the
gentlemen said he regretted going
back with no news of the young man
K, whose friends were SO anxious
about him.
~ half believe" said he, "that he
was not on the boat at ALL We have
seen everybody, dead or alive, who has
been found, and no one answering his
description Is discovered"
"Where is his description" asked
another.
~ have 1t. No, not h,re. I re
member, gave it to the coroners.
lie was, as recollect the description,
a man about twenty-eight, fair skin,
blue eyes and black hair. 1t is hard
to go back with no information. By
way, stranger, did you see any one
answering that description"
"Would you be willing to take the
body without preparation for burial?"
l asked.
"Why, of course. Any way we
could get it."
"Wel, them. said I, "drop me at
HIS house"
A shout went up from the carriage.
A few days later, after having EN-.
joyed the delightful experience of
being kissed, cried over, and well
coined back from the dead, lighted a
cigar, seated myself comfortably, and
had the novel experience Of reading
my own obituary, and a good orthodox
obituary 1t was, too.