Evening star., 1925-06-23

John Gilpin: an official beckoned fran
tically from the iron gates: the con
ductor. Ed Thomas. who was Riley's
old friend. waved della wing signal
to the engineer. and in moment he
was aboard and the train was in mo-
ton.
Close shave said Ed stepping up
after him.
Riley nodded. his breath gone: Ed
spoke more truly than he knew.
He sat down in the rear car and
closed his eyes. Most old hearts
would have rebelInd at such a chase
but Riley fell no III effects except
brea athlessness. from which he soon
recovered. Now that his terror was
over he reflected with both pity and
amusement upon the astoniShment of
the poor woman and the dog. and by
the time the train crossed the wide
river he could enjoy the myriad lights
on the other bridges and along the
city front. When he had left Gettys
burg in the morning he had thought
that he might not return until the
next day. and he was sorry that he
had not carried out his intention. The
nervousness which had taken him
away and which was nov taking him
back seemed suddenly prepoSterous.
Since automobiles bad become com
mon the trains carried few visitors to
the battlefield. and now that there
was 4 bus line which went by n
shorter route there were few through
passengers Of any sort Seeing. no
one whom he knew. Riley regretted
that he had not risked the crowd 4 nd
the somewhat unpleasant familiarity
Of the bus. The train ride consumed
two hours. and without Compa ny he
TWO seemed like ten. He was sud
denly afra id of the long. unOccupied
period. and he rose and walked to the
front of the car. hoping that some one
who looked like a stranger might
prove to he a acqua intance.
His scrutiny Identified no one; no
answering gaze met his plea SD nj
glance. There were Young "eople
who had been at work or Al school in
. Harrisburg. there were few hunters
gong into the country 50 as to no on
hand for early rabbits. there were
three bearded Dunkers on their way
to the bunker school Al Grantha m.
bnt there was no one whom he knew
( The gaze of one pair Of eyes followed
him down the aisle. and presently
their owner. whom Riley had over
looked, rose and approa ched his seat.
He was short, thin man of about 50.
I with very bright black ewes In
I spite Of his pointed brown beard To
| which he held as if for support. he
looked, standing by Riley. like a small
boy addressing an aged and regal
master
Sir, said he in a thin. little voice
may ! ask if YOU are a veteran of
/ the Ciyil War
NO sir" answered Riley. II was
too young."
May | ask another question? Do
| YOU live in this neichborhood?''
| ! live in Gettysbure
Z The stranger seemed bout 10 pull
his brown beard out by the roots.
Would ii he asking too much 10
lei me sit with vou?"
/ Riley could do no less than move
over. though he began to feel un-
easy. But this little man did no, look
as though he were of the tribe OF
| historians whom Riley feared as A
slave feared Georgia trader
There was sort Of hist torian in
fGettyshurg. a Miss Cant. a tall, thin
woman with large nose. who wa 6
/ writing book and from whom Riley
/ was constantly fleeing. She talked
! TO old people and pried things out OF
/ them which had much better be for.
! gotten. and sent little articles to the
! ne"spa pers-she should not pry any.
! thing out OF him,
:
/ stranger trembled with delight. He
sat bolt upright and clasped his hands
still looking like child
/. You saw it. sir? And heard ill.,
| AS Riley regarded the little man A
| hand of restraint within him snaDped
! He knew the battle like hook. from
/ the first approach of the armies 70
| the day when the last wounded soldier
was carried away. hut he never dared
10 talk about il in Gettysburg. He
had come honestly by the fierce and
/ bitter hatred Of his youth: in 's5,
| when Richmond fell. the celebrating
villagers had taken pains TO build
| oontires before his mothers door.
" w hateVer the convictions of his
manhood the recollection of whis-
pered epithets. Traitors, Rebels"
would have kept him quiet even if il
were not for his private and persona
reasons for silence. But he could
taik TO this little stranger who sasped
! 1of, information like 4 fish for water
| lie reversed the seat in front of him
and propped up his feet and took n
! penclt and newspaper from his
| pocket. The commuters and the IA u.
! hit hunters had left and only the
Dunkers remained. talking quietly
among themselves a the other end Of
/ the car. The train ran heavily as
/ thou2h the engine we're old or OK.
/ hausted. and the little man still
casped in thrilled anticipation. Riley
/ spread out the newspaper and began
10 draw map: he. too. was thrilled
! Here. he said This is Gertys.
| burg. These are roads like the spokes
of a wheel. This is South Mountain
Now. Lee. he was way off down here
when he made up his mind 70 attack
Harrisburg"
/ Nhich we have just left" inter.
| DoIated the stranger rapturouSlv