Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-12
CHAPTER I.

My name is not Norval, nor have I
ever in any way been associated with
the Grampian hills. but my name is Os-
car Hockersmith. You will at once per-
ceive that there is nothing in such a
name, but if any man has ever passed
through an experience similar to the one
which / am going to relate ne would do
me q great kindness by at once comma
nicating with me.
One day arrived at Cregmore. lit
tie old town on the upper Arkansas riv-
err Just after had eaten breakfast at
a hotel the proprietor Of the house came
to me and said that, as l had no bag
gage, would be compelled to pay in
advance.
baggage, indeedr 1 exclaimed.
"Have my trunk sent up, if You please.
''YCu brought 10 baggage, sir. F"
'Then it has not arrived. 1t will soon
be here, for am sure it arrived. l saw
it delivered to an expressman at the rail-
road station. l have no money with me.
hope that you appreciate my position,
sir?'
He doubtfully shook his head and
walked away. This annoyed me not
little, and l wondered if the fellow who
had taken my trunk had run away with
it. had no check, and / knew that
might have trouble in recovering my
property. Just as l turned to go out an
old gentleman whom / suddenly en-
countered threw up his hands and ex-
claimed:
my God!'
"What is the nIatter?"
ooh, sir. if 1 did not know that MY
son Norval was dead, would think
you were he. He was killed in the
army"
He regarded me closely, and in a
quieter tone continued:
~ have never before seen such a re-
senblancc. Same eyes, nose, mouth
everything! Will you please do an old
man Il favor"
replied that 1 would favor him in
any possible way.
Then come with me to my house. l
want my wife to see you"
I told him of the perplexing situation
in which was placed.
Here, Mr. Bunch!' he exclaimed.
calling the proprietor. Look at this
man! Doesn't he look exactly like my
son Norval:"
EXACTLY. Only he is much older"
Eyes, but you must remember that it
is more than 20 years since Norval
went into the army. He was killed at
Antietarn. want you to go home with
me. will stand good for your bill"
Il feel under many obligations to
you, old gentleman, for am really in
an embarrassing position. l fear that
fellow has stolen my trunk, but if you
will so with me to the town officer
will afterward go with you
He agreed, and we called upon the
town marshal, who, after listening to
my statement, looked at me suspicious.
ly and said:
'You didn't come in on any train. I"
''But, sir, know did. delivered
my trunk to a tall negro who walked
with limp, and who, if 1 remember
correctly, had an impeachment in hi:
speech. The trunk-and would know
it among thousands large one
covered with black leather
''Look here said the officer. "Yor
came up on a boat, for saw you wher
you got off. Besides you could not hav,
come by rail, for, as there are seyera
washouts above and below here, their
has not been train in for two days"
This statement was insulting, yet
struggled TO conceal my resentment
Police officers i'll small towns are gener
ally narrow minded, dogmatic men, an,
cared not to dispute him further tina,
10 roaiTirIn that l came in on the morn
ing train. Then, turning to the oil
gentleman, whose name l had learne
was MotfCrd, l announced my READINGS
to accompany him. He had hcep so ali