Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-03-03

Inc anu my UelonSlnSs over 10 my
place?"
The fellow grinned at me, as though
there had been something in my words
of an amusing nature; but finally he did
give me the desired information:
why, guess maybe Jake Hunsicker
kin take you over. He's just gettin' in
the oats, but if you pay him, p'raps he'll
leave the oats be long enough to drive
to Nelsonville and back. Anyway, he
kin take you after supper. if you wanter
wait till then"
"And where does Mr.. Hunsicker live?"
l asked.
The agent pointed to clump of trees
on the summit of a hill about a quarter
of mile distant. You kin see just
part of the roof through the trees. The
road runs uphill right past the house."
"How about these things while l am
gone? VIII they be safe ?" 1 inquired.
"Oh, yes; no one'll take 'em. It'll be
all right" he replied, indifferently, as
though he did not care whether my lug
gage would be secure or not. Then he
gave one more glance at me, grinncd in
his dull way, sprang from the platform,
and went off down the road.
All the country for miles about Mel
sonville had been familiar to my boy
hood. But now, after an absence of IS
years. could hardly recognize this part
OF it.
The railroad had been built some five
years before, and that made, in itself,
a great change. The station was in a
valley, and the fertile fields and dark
green forests on the bounding hills were
all very beautiful.
But, as there were few houses, and
those in the distance, there was
loneliness about the place which seemed
to find counterpart in my life. For
l was a social Ishmael, an outcast, bur-
dened with the suspicion of a crime of
which l was innocent. The fact that
nothing could be proved against me, in
the minds of most people, only indi-
Gated that l was such an adept in
roguery as to be able to cover up all
proof of my guilt.
1t was now a year that the cloud had
rested over my good name. The first
six months of this time had vainly at
tempted to live down the general sus-
picion. But found the houses of even
those / had considered true friends
closed against me, and so, heart-sore
and almost despairing, fled to Europe,
hoping to find partial forgetfulness, or
at least rest from cruel tongues. I'm
fortunately for my peace, Americans
read the newspapers, and had only to
mention my name to my countrymen
whom l met during my trip abroad to
be asked if L was the one whose name
was mentioned in connection with the
great bank robbery in Philadelphia.
soon tired of this and of being compelled
to tell over and over again the circum-
stances of that affair, so resolved to go
back to my native land, avoid the city
where l was so well and SO unfavorably
known, and seek rest and peace amid
the scenes of my childhood. | also de-
termined, after my arrival, to begin a
thorough investigation of the robbery
on my own hook. The reason l had
not done this before will be stated later.
The solitude of Sidington, the lack
of a welcoming hand, the knowledge
that 1 had outgrown all boyish esti-
mates and would therefore find the old
homestead no longer encompassed
about by the romantic interest which
a youngsters mind was able to conjure
up-all this did not tend to raise my de-
pressed spirits, and my heart was heavy
within me as 1 plodded up the long,
dusty hill toward the home of Mr.. Hun
sicker.
A delicious breeze was blowing at the
top of the hill, and paused moment
under the shade of the naples, to bare
my perspiring brow to the cool in
fuence.
Then 1 slowly walked up the shady
path leading to the porch, keeping my
hat in my hand. hoped Mr.. Hunsicker
would be at the house for dinner, for
1 determined not to go out into the hot
fields to search for him.
A knock at the open front door caused
an interruption in the clatter of dishes
which proceeded from an inner room,
and very soon shuffling footsteps ap-
preached the door.
A tall, stoop-shouldered individual,
dressed in a brown cotton shirt, blue
| overalls and cowhide boots, loomed up
out of the gloom of the darkened rooms.
From the look of astonishment on the
mans face when he saw me, judged
the advent of a stranger was rare oc-
currence to this household.
"Will you haul me and a trunL to
Nelsonville?" asked.
My question produced a banker stare
from the old fellow, and his jaws, which
,, had been busy masticating mouthful
of food, ceased operations. gave him
time, and, when he had partially re-
covered from his surprise, again adj
| dressed him.
'Do you understand EngGsh?"
asked.
"Ach, y-e-e-s indeed!" he replied, aft
or he had hastily swallowed the food.
"And is your name Hunsicker-Jacob
Hunsicker?" 1 continued.
He nodded reply.