"
This sally turned the laugh on Strout who was about to make a sharp
rejoinder, when the store door opened and a strong current of cold
air caused all to turn.
"Shut the door!" cried Bob Wood in his gruff voice.
"I beg your pardon," said the man, as he complied.
He was very tall,--more than six feet in height. He was dressed in a
suit of shiny black; his coat was buttoned tightly and the collar was
turned up. The most noticeable part of his costume was a broad-
brimmed straw hat. He wore no overcoat and his hands were ungloved.
"Gentlemen, I must beg pardon for this intrusion, but I used to live
in these parts many years ago, and I am here to inquire whether any
of my family are awaiting the return of a long-lost relative."
Abner nudged Mr. Strout and said in a whisper: "That's the feller."
"What might your name be?" asked Mr. Benoni Hill in his genial
manner.
"I have occupied many stations in life, and whether high or low have
always assumed a cognomen to match my position."
"A cog what?" asked Bill Cobb in a voice so low that he thought only
his brother Jim could hear; but his question reached the stranger's
ear.
"By cognomen I mean a desirable _alias_ or a characteristic
appellation."
This explanation gave rise to a chorus of "Oh's."
"Kerzactly," remarked Benoni, and then all laughed.
"When I left this town thirty years ago, my name was Richard Ricker.
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