The Tomahawk., 1903-07-23
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| DISAPPEARANCE |
Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. c.,
BY ADA G. SWEET

Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Co.
IT HE hot May sun was shining down
upon the city. Men, women and
children surged out from streets, al
legs and courts, intent on reaching the
fields and their encircling acres, here
and there, shaded by trees and shrubs,
and thickly planted with the Dead.
Abner Hull stood aimlessly looking
about 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 overlooking electric
cars. His face, lined and weather
beaten, was serious, almos. grim. The
corners of his mouth dropped, 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 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 square away wheeled double
line of blue-clad men. .Old Abner
hurried to the curhstone, and stood
awaiting the little band of veterans.
'Hello, comrade," called hearty
voice from the passing G. A. r. 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,
fall in, let's see if you have any vim
left in you! You've grown little the
worse for wear since siXty-four-ike
the rest of U.s."
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"
chantet. the war music.
''There it is! Good old tune!" said
Abner, and he stamped along Justify
with the others.
"You don't ask any questions,
Asher" said Abner, at last, just as the
train was backing in. "And know
why; but I am going to tell you, all
the same"
"All right" replied Hills, "but wait
till 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 it. And first-you
left home looking for work, and never
came back, never wrote. That much l
know. How about it?"
The broken old soldier sat in silence,
for time, embarrassed by his COM
rade's scrutinizing look.
Married soon after the civil war to
q woman of strong will, rugged health,
and coarse grasping nature, the gentle
warrior had fallen an easy victim to
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 gentleness 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 to be told, anyone could
see it, though no one could understand
the misery of it, looking from the out
side.
Then Hills spoke:
"Your wife-she's been dead more
than year, hasn't she?"
$50 they say-Ive heard it from
strangers. I haven't let any Of the
girls know / am back-I want to find
Mandy, though. I believe she'd like to
see me-"
"Of course she would! The others
are all married and living away from
the city, but Mandy boards with
Comrade Williams wife, and works at
the milliner's trade. Know that?"
Hull's face turned toward Hills, now,
and glowed with pleasure.
Come" urged Hillis-"tell your
story, We'll soon be at Rose Hill, and
there won't be any time. Then I'll tell
you more about Mandy. My wife
thinks lot of her."
"Of course I amt got any excuse"
returned Hull, in husky voice, land
shan't try to make any. 1t was the
moving, mostly, the everlasting NOV
ing from house to house. The eternal
restlessness and fault-fnding l could
stand, but the moving-Why, Ash, in
the q years we lived together we
moved more than 60 times-I kept
count, after the first five years. got
kind of crazy-sort Of unreasonable
over it-moving, always moving.
day laborer was, you
know-and I brought every cent i
earned home and twas never enough