A STRANGE STORY.

Patea Mail, 18 October 1882, Page 2

A STRANGE STORY.

Tims writes “ Silver pen ” in the Auckland ‘Herald'; —“ Strange tilings happen in the world everyday, and possibly the little story lam about, to tell is as peculiar as most,. In fact, the American wonders seem to heat all others into fits, and are conslantly happening as in no other conn I ry under the sun. A few days ago tin old man of .seventy was introduced to his son of fifty for the first time. The old gentleman was in youth a rover, and rinding his delight, in a circus went, off with a company, leaving his young wifebehind him. Shoply after his departure a hoy was horn,and, as Iho father never returned, or was heard of, he knew nothing of lus son. After some years the mother 01, Ihe boy died, which fuel Hie father must have found out,, for he married again, and sett led down to business, becoming in time Hie happy parent of only twenty-four ot her sops and daughters outside the first child. Quite lately a lady relative died in his native town, and the old man coming to the funeral was rceognis-'d by an old acquaintance. After the funeral tiie neighbor look the old man aside and begged permission I o inf reduce him to his son’. A scene of astonishment followed, and the old man of seventy willi Ids middle-aged son of fifty sal. side by side for hours, re joicing in I heir new-found happiness, while the company from the luneial stood by with gaping mouths, taking in the situation. The two had lived for 1 wenty-tive years so near to each other lhat a two hours’ rail trip would have brought (hem together.”