Stranger Fails to Appear at Poe's Grave

Read about it here:

apnews.myway.com/article/20120119/D9SC19EG0.html

This makes 3 years that the Stranger failed to show. I have long held the theory that the stranger is one Michael Barnes. My guess is that he has been too busy with the baby and reviewing games to make his annual mysterious appearance bearing 3 roses and half a bottle of Cognac.

The article states that 3 imposters showed, one of which I believe to be Branham. But the real deal, (Barnes) didn't make it.

Over the years I have gathered several clues that in my mind at least, implicate Barnes.

1) A liquor store receipt from Tower Beer Wine and Spirits in Atlanta was found near Poe's grave.

2) Converse footprints

3) A stray dice bag

To me this outs Barnes as the stranger. My guess is that he felt like people would soon learn it was him so he decided to stop the tradition.

Hold up, Sherlock. There's holes in your deduction.

1) I never go to Tower, although it is a really good bottle shop. I almost always go to Decatur Beeer & Wine or Toco Giant.

2) I haven't worn Converse in years. I can't stand that flat rubber sole. These days, I wear Asic Onitsuka Tigers almost exclusively.

3) Do you really think I would own a dice bag? Son, I don't have more dice than what my games came with and those dice are all in their respective boxes.

Can I pass the buck? I think it's MJ.

I stand corrected. My Clue game needs work.

Now that tourists line up with their iPhones to film the event it isn't quite as mysterious.

S.

I feel quite sad, as a little bit of romance in the world has gone. I always loved the Poe Toaster, but I can see why it would be ruined in this day and age.