Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1907 — THE LOST MAN [ARTICLE]

THE LOST MAN

One evening a num came into a New York restaurant and sat down opposite another man. y “Dalton !” the newcomer said. “Well, Holloway ?” said the other. - "I thought you were dead.” "So I am, sb far as you’re concerned. Who’d have thought you’d turn up here?" ' « "Yes, Vwhat luck! I thought NewYork was big enough to turn around In without stumbling over some confounded old acquaintance.*’ "Old acquaintance—well, that’s pretty cool. However, I shan’t bother you. You needn’t be afraid of me. I’m not going back out there, and if you ever do I’ll trouble you to keep a still tongue. You needn’t say you saw me. Understand?”

“Oh, yes,” said the other man. "But I don’t bank much on going back myself. I’m about sick of this country. I don’t blame you for wanting to ktep out. But, I say, that was a funny thing, your dropping out the way you did. Everybody thinks you’re dead or loco and shut up somewhere. They had no end of a time looking for you—dragged the river. “I was down in Mexico. How long ago did you leave Calif— Beg your pardon! I withdraw the question unless it happens to be”— “Oh, it doesn’t matter. I left eight months ago. I’m only here for—for a few days—just passing through.”

“Yes? Let’s see; it’s two. three years since I came away. Do you know what this reminds me of? Two hurrying shapes, don’t you know, in No Man’s Land met each other face to face—very awkward sometimes—and bade each other stand.” “Sounds like footpads,” suggested the nervous man. “No; It’s poetry. Well, they asked each other's name”— Here the two men looked at one another, and the nervous man broke into a giggle. “Exactly. We won’t do that.” He emptied his glass and set it down. “They call this stuff California claret.” be said. “Look here, don’t you want some news?”

“News?” The quiet man blinked uncertainly for a moment and then said: “Yes, I suppose so. What Is it?” •‘Well, I meant— You know Sharpless is mayor now. We got him In last year, and It was the biggest fight the town ever saw. Jim Luke got the city the new city hall, with velvet carpets and hand painted spittoons. Oh, the boys are all right, And you wouldn’t know the place—brick blocks going up everywhere and cable cars on Main street.” The quiet man began to eat his sparrow and stringy salad. “I suppose so,” he said. “And, say— Well, of course it’s none of my business. I suppose you hear from out there anyway.” "Not a word,” said the quiet man. “But go ahead If you’ve got anything to tefi.’’

“Weil, It’s only about—confound it!— your wife. Say, Dalton, why in thunder—lt’s none of my business, but It’s pretty hard on her.” “She must think I’m dead. I am dead.” “Well, she doesn’t She’s still looking for you. When they didn’t find you in the river, you know, she had detectives. They combed San Francisco for you.” The quiet man moved uneasily. “Detectives cost money,” he said. “They do. She’s teaching now In the public schools. The boys put that through. She gets $95 a month, and that about feeds the five young ones.” “I left her enough. I left her half the money I had. If I could have fixed it so, she could have got my life Insurance.”

"Well, why didn’t you? There was the river. Excuse me, old man, but Is this any better?” « “Oh, yes,” said Dalton dreamily. “I have a quiet life—all day in the library If I like. You’ve no idea what a racket five children can make in a small house. And then out there I never could get the books I wanted—the Latinists of the fourth century, for instance. And then, you know, a woman —a woman who’s fond of you. It ex* plains why the philosophers were monks. But I’m getting pretty close to bedrock,” he added, frowning. “I don’t like to eat in these places. And to see you herel” "Yes, I know,” said Holloway hastily, "but I’ve got just enough to take me where I’m going. I pulled out with about S6OO, though the boys wouldn’t believe you if you told ’em. I suppose they think I’m living in cotton—Monto Carlo or”— “Six hundred! Why, you used to have your fist in deep. What's the matter—lost your pull?” “Nellie’s got It—my wife, you know —that is, all I could pull out Say, Dalton, I don’t mind telling you—l don't suppose you’d give me away, and if you did I—the police”— —— - “The law can’t touch me,” said Dalton. Holloway’s face flushed dully. "Perhaps not, but I wouldn’t change places with you. My wife’s living in Europe—been there for a year. She’s living well too. She was always crazy to go. She’s got enough to make her comfortable for some time, and I’m go-ing-well, never mind. I’d do It over again. I tell you, Dalton, for a woman you’re fond of—but what’s the use of talking to you? Might as well talk to a Latin grammar.” Dalton contemplated his cheese and withered pears and thin coffee resignedly. "If I didn’t have to eat,” he said, Td be all right I want few things, God knows.” ' “I,” said Holloway under his breetty “want only one.”—New York Advsr-' tlser. j