The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-09-16
he man paused at the curb and

brick building, with some pretension
70 architectural grace. The entrance
ray was broad and approached by
wide fight of stone steps. The trim
mings were of stone and the bricks
were newly painted.
The man stared up at the building
and shook his head.
SNot a bit like the old building"
ne said with regretful intonation.
He was a man nearing sixty, gray
haired and portly. His figure was
straight and his eyes keen. 1t was
evident that he had cared we'll for
himself, and that his energy and vigor
we're but little impaired.
His gaze turned from the building
and wandered about the neighbor-
hood.
Everything is changed" he NUT
tered. There is nothing / recog-
nize."
He turned away slowly with lin
Sering glance at the building.
Those were good times" he NUT
tered. 1T was nearly fifty years ago,
and yet when shut my eyes 1t seems
but yesterday. Memory plays us
queer tricks"
He quickened his pace as he turned
back to the busy highway and when
he reached the corner he paused and
looked at his watch.
~Five hours to kill" he said to him
self. How shall 1t be sacrificed?
There are no old friends to meet.
Who would remember me?"
He looked up. A street car was
approaching. 1t bore the name of
park. The man hesitated. Then he
ran forward and boarded 1t.
The ride was a pleasant one. A
cool breeze circulated through the
car, and when the downtown section
was passed the residences had an at
tractive look and there were pleasant
glimpses of the open country.
Then the ripping blue of the lake
cane in sight and the man took off
hat and let the breeze stir his gray
hair.
When the park was reached he
plighted from the car and stared
about him. 1t was pretty place, the
Bloping paths descending to the lake
and pleasant groves crowning the
higher ground. There were neat
buildings scattered about one side
OF the enclosure, with a dancing pa
yilion and other features of the con-
yentional summer resort; and at the
other side were the shady picnic
grounds.
There seemed to be a picnic there
at the time, lively party If the man
could judge by the laughter that came
10 him in little gusts.
And suddenly his memory reached
back to the school picnic. at Elyria,
and the one at Bedford, and the one
at Rocky River. He hadn't been to
a picnic since those old days. A queer
longing came to him.
He turned his steps toward the dis
tant merrymakers. A young girl was
approaching, a girl of seventeen,
hght-footed and bright-faced. She
was swinging pail and the wind
blew her fair hair about her white
forehead.
AAS man SlOppeu ner.
rs that a picnic yonder?" he
asked.
The girl looked at him wonder
ingly.
why, yes" she answered, "that's
the picnic ground"
i am little rusty regarding pic
MICS, the man explained. Il haven't
picnicked for nearly fifty years. Is
1t school picnic?"
ITS a sort of school picnic" the
girl replied. "It's the yearly outing
OF the Stonewall School Association. {"
The man looked at the group be-
meath the trees with a new interest.
That's strange" he said. Il went
down to look at the old building to-
oay, but they had covered it up."
Did you ever go to Stonewall? I"
the girl asked.
Yes" he answered. "But I know
nothing of any Stonewall Associa-
ton
II is open to everybody who ever
went to Stonewall. / graduated from
there four years ago."
The man put out his hand.
The old greets the new, my dear. {"
ne gently said. Let 1906 clasp hands
with 1885,"
The girls bright eyes sparkled.
How lucky 1t is that you are here.
Sir, she cried. II am sure you will
De the very Oldest graduate present. "
he drew back q little
But am not invited"
oh, you don't need to be invited -
cried the girl. Every graduate OF
old Stonewall is welcome. They will
all be glad to greet you for old Stone
"ali's sake. You must come. Won
must indeed.r
He smiled at her eagerness.
Il have no share to ada to the
least" he said.
There is plenty" cried the girl.
Ihere is sure to be great deal left
iou VIII come, won't your"
He gravely nodded,
VIII come" he answered. sbut
not Just now. A little later. want
10 go down and renew my splashing
acquaintance with the lake."
our dinner will be ready in a half
nour, SAID the girl .And l am 60
ing TO save a seat for you next to
mine" ~
rhank you," said the man as he
arew out his watch. .In lust half an
hoar you will see my famished form
approaching.