The Princeton union., 1900-06-21
CHAPTER I.


long enough to have trunk thrown of
and allow one passenger to alight. The
trunk was mine. the passenger myself
Then the train went on again, the en-
gine putting and kissing in a vain at
tempt to acquire suddenly the creates,
speed, seemingly in great impatience
that it had been compelled to stop al
all-which was not to be wondered at;
for, when I gazed around, from what
could see, Sidington was nothing more
than station house, few miles OF
railroad, and wide stretch of hilly
country.
There was a young fellow of about my
age standing in the doorway of the
waiting-room. He 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 a comprehensive gesture
-"is this all there is of Sidington?"
You kin see about all there is from
here" the agent replied, with a grin.
Then, to my surprise, he stepped out
on the platform, locked the door, and
put the key in his pocket.
Are you going to leave the station p
l inquired.
"Yes. No use stayin' around. There
amt no more trains till three o'clock,
when a couple of Goals pass. This amt
much of a station"
But what's to be done about my lug
gage?' I asked, impatiently, pointing
toward a large trunk and several bum
dies at the upper end of the platform.
The agent looked in the direction I
indicated. "Oh, that's all yours, is il? ?
l thought maybe it might be. Got
checks, suppose?"
Yes, certainly. Here they are.''
He took the checks, gazed at them
doubtfully for a moment, then slowly
went to the pile of luggage.
II guess it's all right" he said, after
taking the checks from the various ar
ticles of baggage and carefully compar-
ing them with the ones l had given
him. You kin take 'em along.''
Now the trunk was large and heavy,
and I turned on the fellow with touch
of anger, for at first thought he was
making game of me. But when I saw
the expression of stolid Indifference
on his face, it struck me he was simply
dull and stupid.
THANK you,' l finally said. 1T is
very kind of you to allow me to take
my own property. Perhaps you will
show further kindness by telling me
how I am to take it. The bundles l
might possibly manage, but the trunk,
as you see, is large, and, 1 can assure
you, heavy, and really should prefer
not to carry it, if any other way of re-
moval might be devised.''
For moment it seemed to me the
blast of sarcasm produced an effect, for
just shadow of smile appeared on
the agents face. It lasted but an in
slant, however, and the blank stare
with which he had viewed my belong
ings took it's place.
Where you wanter go?" he finally
asked, in an Indifferent manner.
II would like to go to Nelsonville, if
there could be found way to get my
trunk there too," replied
$50 you're goin' to Nelsonville?" He
favored me with quick, searching
glance, which was Immediately with
drawn when he caught my eye. Mel
sonvillc's about three miles from here"
he continued. "'Tain't much more of a
place than Sidington. You amt goin'
to stay there, are you?"
l was about to answer sharply that
that was my business, but, remember
ing the curiosity that the advent of a
stranger generally causes in the minds
of country folks, told him my plans
were not definite.
"'Tain't that l wanter be impert'-
nent," he went on, with grin; "but I
thought if you was only goin' to stay
there over night you might leave your
trunk in the station"
"Well, I had intended to spend two or
three months, possibly longer, in Mel
sonville. 1t depends altogether on how
like it. So, you see, must have my
trunk"
1.-Two or three months!" He gazed
down at the track for moment, and
then turned quickly toward me as
though an important idea had Just
come to him.
There amt no hotel at Nelsonville.
P'raps you didn't know that" he said.
1T will make no difference to me. l
have made arrangements for accommo-
dation. You see, am going to occupy
portion of my own property"
"Oh, you own place there, then?"
"Yes. the old Nelson homestead is
mine. 1t descended to me from my
grandfather, Abram Nelson. He has
been dead 1s years. have not seen the
place since. I was quite small boy
then. And now, as I have plenty of
leisure, the desire is natural to revisit
the scenes of boyhood days."
The agent listened to my words, and
was considerably amused to note the
interest they inspired-an interest, I
thoug ht then, due wholly to country
fellows curiosity. L...... sef@a.a .