The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-23
Eoening Story
The Man From Huntington.


! For seven long months Carter Rags
dale had been living IN New York.
1t had been a decided change from
Huntington, Miss, with its 2,S7S pop
ulation, approximately all his personal
friends or cordial acquaintances.
One had to be mentally alert in the
offices OF Richards Bros. There were
no free intervals there, for regrets and
repinings. Particularly IL one had
! firmly determined to learn, in as short
time as possible, all the multitudin-
Gus details of very big business, and
some day to hold one of its proud
| positions.
Evenings were different. Then Car
ter Ragsdale had thought that he
would gladly exchange all the thrills
of metropolitan existence to be back
at home again.
On the first Sunday in May, when
spring was making Central Park
place of enchantment, throwing a soft
veil of green over the chill loneliness
it wears in the winter, Carter Rags
dale went for a stroll thru its high
ways and by ways.
1t was a beautiful morning. Things
had been going well at the office.
His chief, man little given to praise,
! had spoken some worlds Of warm COM
mendation. the afternoon before. He
had been given an increased response
bility. There were hints of promotion,
with a salary increase, before long.
AS he paced slowly that Sunday
morning, Carter was thinking that
things were indeed well with his world
if he might only sometimes see
someone from home. Then he re-
membered the Huntington paper. the
four-page weekly which came to his
boarding house each Saturday, every
line of which he read on Sunday. He
sat down on a convenient bench, and
drew the thin sheets from his pocket.
No records of world happening in
the great New York papers where as
on the last page of the Huntington
Mercury" One by one, he conned
them.
Miss Bess walpole sprained her
ankle last Saturday, at the Baptist
Sunday school picnic at Laurel
"Mr. Roger Vernon has a new auto
mobile"
From some sudden impulse Carter
Ragsdale raised his eyes.
Directly opposite across the path,
sat a strangely familiar figure. An
old gentleman, lean of frame, aqui-
line of feature, keen of eye, was
watching him. Instantly upon his
feet, Carter Ragsdale whipped off his
hat, and bounded the dozen interven-
ing feet, his face exultant.
'Why, Mr.. Vernon" he called, who
would ever have expected"
BY this time he had reached the
bench where his park neighbor sat.
His face fell.
IT beg your pardon, sir" he SIAM
from home-from Mississippi had
just been reading about him in my
home paper. If I'd only stopped to
think-but the resemblance really is
striking"
Embarrassed, Carter started away,
calling in valedictory, II trust 1 have
not annoyed you, SIR"
The stranger summoned the young
man to a seat beside him.
IT did not catch the name of my
double" he said courteously.
Then Carter made explanations.
dent of the bank at home, and a very
fine gentleman. No one could object
to having such a double"
Carter found himself talking quite
at ease with his new acquaintance.
The old gentleman doomed a laugh
of hearty appreciation.
Your double has just bought new
machine"-Carter indicated the news
paper item.
The headline of the Mercury
caught the old gentlemans eye.
Jumping JehosophatW he ex-
claimed. This is strangei"
From an inner pocket he produced
his card. Carter read: James Roger
Vernon
Young man. your Vernon's my sec
ond cousin. I never was in Hunting
ton in my life, never saw him. But
I've heard my father tell of visiting
in Mississippi when he was a boy.
I've always intended to get in touch
with my southern relatives some day."
Just as they were launched on this
topic, there came an interruption. A
slim, graceful girl. with dark eyes and
hot or
I'm Just getting introduced for the
first time to my relatives in Mississip-
pi," explained the father.
Alicia held out a pretty hand.
oh" she said, SIS this a new cousin
from Mississippi
I'D certainly claim the relationship II
didn't know I'd be shown up an i'm
postor laterl But the families are
great friends. I sent my first valen-
tine to your fourth cousin"
Alicia laughed. To Garter It was
the most charming he had ever heard.
How nice to have met you!" she
said.
When they took their departure Car
ter walked beside them. Not far from
the park luxurious limousine
waited
Don't forget our address. young
man." said Mr.. Vernon. Come to see
us. Come to breakfast next Sunday
nine sharp. We've got a southern
cook"
The recipient of this invitation stood
as rapt as one upon whom mama from
heaven was descending. He could
scarcely murmur his grateful accept
ance.
AS Mr.. Vernon turned to give direc-
tons to the chauffeur, Alicia added:
IT want to hear all about this fourth
cousin of mind I've never seen. A
scent q romance"
As Alicia's father bundled her into
the car Carter protested. "Oh. no. she's
married now. TWAS just puppy love
"a sort of trial heat
A lovely face smiled. Never mind.
You can find a romance here. New
Workers always say one can find any