Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-08-05
CHAPTER l.

SlhS IlulluB uuu HlSbluB III u Nulu uUr
tempt to acquire suddenly the greatest
speed. seemingly in great impatience
that il had been compelled to stop at
all-which was not to be wondered at;
for, when gazed around, from what
could see, Sidington was nothing more
han station house, few miles OF
railroad, and a wide stretch of hilly
country.
There was young fellow of about my
age standing in the doorway OF the
wating-roon, lie was regarding me
with evident curiosity, stepped up to
him.
Where is the station agent?" asked,
briefly.
why, I'm the agent" the fellow re.
piled. in drawing tones.
Isn't there any town here, or at least
a settlement? Is this" sweeping my
arm around In comprehensive gesture
lis this all there Is of Sidngton2"
you kin see about all there Is from
here" the agent replied, with n grin.
Then, TO my surprise, he stepped out
on the platform, locked the door, and
put the key in his pocket,
Are YOU geing to leave the station?"
| inquired,
"Yes, No use stayin' around. There
amt no more trains till three o'clock,
when couple Of coas pass, This amt
much Of a station"
"But what's to be done about my lug
gage?" | asked, impatiently, pointing
toward large trunk and several bun.
dies at the upper end of the platform
The agent looked in the direction !
indicated. "Oh, that's all yours, is 1t?
thought maybe 1t might be. Got
checks, | suppose"
Eyes, certainly. Here they are"
He took the cheekR, gaSed at them
doubtfully for a moment, then slowly
went 10. the pile of luggage.
u guess It's all right" he said, after
taking the checks from the various ar
tlcles of baggage and carefully compar-
ing them with the ones 1 had given
him. "You kin take 'em along"
Now the trunk was large and heavy,
and turned on the fellow with touch
Of anger, for at first I thought he was
making game Of me, But when / saw
tho expression OF stolid indifference
on his face, it struck me he was simply
dull and stupid.
"Thank you," I finally said. ut Is
very kind of you to allow me to take
my own property. Perhaps you will
show further kindness by telling me
how am to take it. The bundles !
might possibly manage, but the trunk,
as you see, is large, and, / can assure
you, heavy, and ! really should prefer
not to carry 1t, II any other way Of re-
moval might be devised"
For a moment it seemed TO me the
blast of sarcasm produced an effect, for
just shadow of smile appeared on
the agent'g face. 1t lasted but an In
st9nt,' however, and the blank stare
with which he had viewed my belong
ings took it's place,
cWhere you wanter goT" be finally
asked, in an indifferent manner.
y would like to 60 to Jacksonville, il
there could be found way to get my
trunk there too, replied.
$50 you're goin' to Nelsonville?" He
favored me with o quick, searching
glance, which was Immediately with
drawn when he caught my eye. "Nel-
sonville's about three miles from here"
he continued. "'Tain't much more OH
place than siaipgton. You aih't goins'
to stay there, are your" ~ ~ ''
4 was about to answer sharply that
that was my business, but, remember
ing the curiosity that the advent Of q
stranger generally causes in the minds
Of country folks, ! told him my plane
were not definite,
n'Tain't that I wanter be impert-
nent," he went on, with a grin; but I
thought If you was only goin' to stay
there over night you might leave youF
trunk in the station"
swell, had intended to spend two or
three months, possibly longer, in Mel
sonville. 1t depends altogether on how
l like it. So, you see, must have my
trunk"
1.-TWO or three monthsl" He gazed
down at the track fora moment, and
then turned quickly toward me as
though an important idea had Just
come to him,
"There amt no hotel at Jacksonville.
P'raps you didn't know that" he said.
at will make no difference to me. l
have made arrangements for accommo-
dalton. You see, am going to occupy
a portion Of my own property"
"Oh, you own q place there, thenP"
Eyes, the oids Nelson homestead is
mine. It descended to me from my
grandfather, Abram Nelson. He has
been dead 10 years, ! have not seen the
place since. ! was quite Q small boy
then. And now, as have plenty Of
leisure, the desire is natural to reviait
the scenes OF boyhood days."
The agent listened to my words, and l
was considerably amused to note the
interest they inspired--an interest,
thought then, due wholly to country
fellows curiosity.