The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1906-09-11

Fff's''F S'5''t'S FL s't''t''t'S-'s'
and then again it might not. He re-
membered being in the city several
years before and suddenly running
against Ezra Crane whom he hadn't
seen for a half dozen years-and yet
here in the midst Of this city Of half
million people Ezra was one of the
first men he met He hoped it would
be the same way with the girl Minnie.
When he stepped from the train he
had his eyes wide open, but no Minnie
met his gaze. Nor did any one else
he might have recognized. No, the
throngs on the sidewalks were made
up OF strangers who were quite OBJ
livious to his existence.
He sought out the boarding house
Judson Hunt had recommended to
him, and engaged room and put away
his valise and started forth again.
And almost the second step he took
ne met Arnold Bailey. He knew Ar
mold at the first glance, and Arnold
knew him.
Arnold"
Toni"
Their hands met in a firm grasp.
You old Reuben" cried Arnold as
he held Tom at a distance, what are
you doing here?"
You old swindler," cried Tom, who
are you doing here?"
Then they shook hands again.
It's good to see you, Tom, cried
Arnold; how are all the folks and
the old town and the old maids?"
The old maids are all asking after
YOU" laughed Tom still living by
your wits?'
Largely" Arnold responded.
When arc YOU coming back to
Grinston, Arnold?'
Never my boy At least not until
! come back in my private car and
have enough money TO buy up the old
henosha house and give the town a
library or something else with my
fun name on it. But you haven't told
me why you are here?"
Been thinking about coming up for
Ions time Tom replied. Cant
stay but a day or two. That's as long
as the factory wants TO spare me. You
are pretty well dressed, Arnold. Still
in the show business?'
After a fashion" Arnold replied.
Clothes are all paid for, too. sup
pose Grinston thinks I'm down in the
gutter somewhere"
Guess not, Arnold. We all know
you've got wits enough to keep your
head above water"
Light headed eh?"
"Of course there are few Grin
ston people who still think that you
viii come to no good end"
oh, / was told that a good many
times"
Yes, and that's why nobody was
surprised when you ran away with
The circus
Well didn't regret IT,. Tom. I'm
doing pretty well for a good-for-uoth-
ing. I'm out Of debt. / don't drink,
! don't gamble, and I've got good pros
poets and tidy sum i'm the bank. You
teli them that when YOU go back 20
Grinsion'
That's what TN do. Arnold You
can count ON that I've always stood
ap for you
arnold laughed
do you remember the fight we had
after the game with the Owego nine?"
Sure They left their umpire at
homo the next time they came
Wasn't hc the robber? Say. and
do you remember the day old Bagster
freed us in his apple orchard?"
Yes. ycs
'Of course you do what a mouth
that dog of his had. And Tom, I don't
oppose YOU recall the afternoon you
pushed me into the mill pond?'
res. ] do. And you chased me half
mile"
and didn't catch you. But sworc
va get even with you-and 1 mean
You ought TO- belong to- the Malta
Arnold You'd run delightful yeu-
delta What are You going to do to
me2'
y haven't thought 90 out The sight
of your surprised me so But it will
1o something dark and terrible"
Well don't hurry
In hurry fasf enough when 7 get
Che Inspiration But here. I've got am
important engagement tic pulled
out his watch "Tve only three min.
utes in which 40 catch "a man 10 YOU
eo that Building across there? Thars
20 poaiofce sub-station Meet inc
there at 100 This evening go you arc
not afraid Goodby" And with q
sudden hand clasp he was swallowed
up ln tho throne of spectators and dis.
appeared around the nearest corner
Tom Edison entertained himself a.
best he could during the remainder OF
the afternoon land 30 was ail enter
tanning this big town and at 78,
DE was waiting on The steps Of th,