Omaha daily bee., 1892-11-13

as the last word dropped from the lips OF the
hitherto stranger he arose from his char
and remarked, "My God, isn't this Joe
Ciarksoni'
The answer was simple and was only one
word, Yes" but il was enough to gladden.
many hearts.
Saw some of His Friends.
The Identification having been made, TIM
postmaster spoke to his nephew. sayinI
Joe. you stay here for while and make
yourself comfortable and / will be back IN
few minutes"
The Judge lighted cigar, sat back In one
of the easy chairs and waited while the post
master went out and telephoned TO Fred j.
Davis, l. f. Cougdon and George j. Hunt,
telling them to come TO the Office al once. as
he wanted TO see them on business Of the
Crea lest Importance. In short time they
nn arrived, ana after recognizing Judge
Clarkson they gave him a hearty welcome.
As soon as the greeting was over they de-
manded an explanation OF hls conduct and
his disappearance from the city.
For short time il seemed that reason was
dethroned, but il was only for short time,
Tor the Judge recovered his composure and
told the gentlemen q straightforward story.
He detailed his wanaerings in Iowa and his
return home. Question after question was
asked and answered The answers were
such as 10 lead the gentlemen 10 believe that
the Judge was telling the truth and that he
was in his right mind. Being satisfied Of
that fact, arrangements were made 10 ap-
prise Mrs Clarkson OF her husbands re-
turn. Mr.. Conguon was dispatched to break
the glad news.
Returned to His Family.
Shortly after this a closed carriage was
driven up TO the front door OF the postoffice
building aud the loiterers about the place saw
Postmaster ClarKson and very shabby
LOOKING man enter and drive away, The car
riage was driven to the judges home and
the TWO men walked arm in arm up the steps
II would be cruel to invade the sanctity of
the home, where for months a loving wife
had mourned for husband who she sup
| posed wss dead.
During the forenoon BEE repor, er called
| at the ClarKson home ana was welcomed
with the same cheerful smile that was ever
| present upon Judge Clarkson's face, whether
| he was Judge or barrister.
Tue story from the judges own lips is full
| ofpa;hos and calls for the sympathy OF all
| who have known him so well during the
| many years that be has been a resident of
| this city.
He was not averse to talking and al once
proceeded 10 detail ms Disappearance and
wandering since the last day of last July.
For many weeks prior TO that time the
! judge hau had serious trou be with his eyes.
! He had consulted the most eminent physi-
cIans and had been informed that TO save
hls sight an operation would have to
| De performed. To this operation he sue.
mi,ted ana the pain drove him frantic.
| The pain was so severe that il preyed upon
| his mind and he was only too anxious TO dc
| anything that would afford relief. For days
| this Continued, when suddenly IL ceased bat
| II had affected his mind. He had but one
| idea and that was TO get away from Omaha
| and ITS cares and burdens. On that fate
| ful Friday morning the Judge, after trans,
acting some business at the office, was
suddenly seized with the desire TO al
once leave the city. He went TO clothing
| store and bought cheap suit OF clothes, anc
) then started for Honey Creek lake. There be
hired tue boat and roweh out into the lage
After floating around for some time be re
turned to the shore, changed his clothes. put
Ting on the new ones and leaving the old ones
in the boat
Came to His Senses In Iowa.
What happened after that is a blank In the
judges mind, us far as the occurrences OF tLs