The Van Buren press., 1903-07-18
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/ A MYSTERIOUS 4
| DISAPPEARANCE Il
BY ADA c. SWEET
Copyright, iocs, BY Daily Story Pub. ooJ
By ADA c. SWEET


and thickly planted with the Dead.
Abner Hull stood aimlessly looking
abou, him. The street TO which he had
just walked from his cheap boarding
house, was one of those which led
through the town. The old man
walked aimlessly on in the direction
taken by the oyerfowing electric
cars. His face, lined and weather
beaten, was serious, almost grim. The
corners of his mouth drooped, his
shoulders were bent, his feet dragged,
his clothing hung loose upon his gaunt
frame; he looked, as he felt, forgotten
and alone in the world.
Suddenly a shrill, family heard, but
persistent strain Of music came borne
on the soft south wind, the thin stream
of sound upheld by the throb Of
drums. Old Abner Hull stood still.
Nearer came the music. and around
corner a square away wheeled a double
line of blue-clad men. Old Abner
hurried to the curbstone, and stood
awaiting the little band Of veterans.
lltliO, tbllI dits NdlltA a Itdi "
voice from the passing G. 4. II. post
From the double file Of men, one
dropped out and grasped Abner's hand.
Where have you been? Haven't
seen nor heard of you for ten years."
said the friendly veteran. Come on,
fail in, let's see if you have any vim
left in you! You've grown little the
worse for wear since sixty-four-like
the rest Of us"
Abner was hurried on after the blue
streak in the street, and was soon
marching along in step with the some
what slow pace Of the veterans
march.
Bring the good old bugle, boys,
Well have another song"
ehanted the war music.
There il is! Coed old tune!" said
Abner, and he stamped along Justify
with the others.
AS they waited at the railway sta
tion for the train which was to carry
the thronging people to Rose Hill
cemetery, the old friends chatted,
standing little aside from the other
comrades, after one or two introduc-
tious Of the newcomer to this or that
veteran.
You don't ask any questions,
Asher" said Abner, at last, just as the
train was backing in. And | know
why; but ! am going TO tell you, all
the same"
"All right" replied Hills, "but wait
ill we get settled in the car"
When they were seated side by side,
and the dingy houses began to fly past
them as the train pulled out, Asher
his arm laid along the back of the seat,
his hand touching Abner's shoulder,
spoke;
Now out with IL. And frst--you
left home looking for work, and never
came back, never wrote, That much
know. How about ?"
The broken old soldier sat in silence,
for time, embarrassed by his com.
rade's scrutinizing look.
Married soon after the civil war TO
woman Of strong will, rugged health,
and coarse grasping nature, the gentle
warrior had fallen an easy victim 70
petticoat government Of the absolute
despotism type Four strapping
daughters in time became assistants to
their mother in the business of carry
ing on the family Affairs. His fifth
daughter, Mandy looked like him and
was like him in geutleness and refine.
ment Of nature, and she came TO be
the one ray Of sunshine IN Abner
Hull's dull and sordid existence. All
this had not 20 be told anyone could
see H. though no one could understand
the misery Of il, looking from the out
side,
Again and again the returned wan
dcrcr essaycd 10 speak, but at last,
recognizing the impossibuity Of the
attempt he turned his wrinkled, still
old face, and looked resolutely out OF
the car window.
Then Hills spoke:
"Your wife-she's been dead more
than year, hasn't she2"
$50 they soy--lve heard IL from
urangers, ] haven't LEI any OF the
girl, know am back want to find
Mandy, though believe ,hc'd ike to
pee me-"
"Of course the would The Others
are all married and living away from
the city, but Mandy boards with
tomrbde Williams wife, and works at
The milliner's trade. Know that2'
iull's face turned toward Hills, now,
and glowcd with pleasure.
Come" urged Hillis--Icll your
story we'll soon be n, Rose Hill, and
there won't be any time, Then III tell
you more about Mandy My wife
thinks lot Of her"
"Of course ain, rot any excuse"
returned Hull, In u husky voice, "and
] thHn't try 20 make any, /, was the
moving, mostly, the everlasting NOV.
Ing from house 90 houte The eternal
rettlet,hen aud fault'fhding could
stand, but the moving Why, Ash, In
the ~ yo0rs we lived together we
moved more than GO tmcs.-l kept,
count after the fret Aye years. got
kind Of cfOsy--sOrt of uhrea,onablo
over ii=movlng, always moving, |
workcd-lu,t day laborer was, you
know-Nnd ! brought every cent /
earned home and 'twNs never enough.
And after awhile when The g,rlt grew
NJ iAev "fht 20 work, and then was
less than nothing=,uscd 10 tlt out on
che back steps, there wasn't room for
me In our little plGce-loo many big
sirapping women"
But" said Asher, there was
n