Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-16

that sum was sufficient to enable him to start
out in fresh adventures and speeulalions
and in leaving his native country be preceded
only by few days the result which his
numerous creditors would have obtaiaed
His decision was taken He eontented
himself with playing comedy insteadof
drama. The properties and DECORATION
OF the scene were simple and easily arranged
the hat near the brink of the preGpice-
the memorandum book-the few Eloquent
farewell words; and then, instead Of precip-
taling himself into the abyss sk bis feet, he
simply threw down-it an bid log of tree,
which, ploughing up the earth and tearing
aside the bushes, left indpbitabIe traces of
his body's rapid descent. The young shep-
herds at distance, seeing man so near
the edge of the precipice, and then dark
body 90 swiftly down its side, believed, in
their fright, that it was the human being
who had really taken that route, and they
afterwards declared positively that they saw
the suicide committed.
'Vigilant, watchful and in good health, our
defunct hero traversed the Pyrenees, crossed
SPdiu1 IGdCAeu NdulA duu callOo IOI AuIel-
lea.
Seven or eight years after this fabulous
event, the baron and the baroness were at
their seat in Franche-Compte, and they were
suddenly surprised one evening by the aP-
pearance Of an unexpected guest-a living
ghost-the first husband
The baroness fainted-it was the least
she could do. She was taken to her apart
ment, and the host ePssasessss- S'tiffati0n pilsffati0n
with his marital successor. The gentleman
had changed bis plan of suicide just as he
was about to put it into exc, ution that was
no crime. He had travelled and had not
written; it was from motives of delicacy, as
he did not wish to write until he had made
fortune. He had not succeeded in his en-
terprises conjugal happiness would have to
console him for misfortunes. He returned
to claim his wife it was bis incontestible
right lie found his wife another mans
wife but this second marriage was of course
null and void
The baron was about to answer this ra-
pidly delivered discourse, when he was In
formed that his wife-their wife-wished
to see him.
Co. said the first husband, 4 permit you
TO say farewell; but be so kind as to have
ME served with something to eat {: am very
hungry
a servant received the baron's orders,
conducted the ghost to a paylssa ip the
him alone In as bonEE f5s eired
pistol IN each nftritsdi.. si.s- - ~ !,
"You must see,' said he to his guest,
that one of us two is in the way of the other
GA duel?' exclaimed the ghost. Bah
my position is too advantageous. refuse,
positively
"Nothing was said concerning duel,
monsieur" replied the baron, coldly. My
position is also too advantageous. You
have forgotten that you are dead: that no
one will miss you; that the only servant
who knows of your presence here IS devo-
ted to me that we are in solitary spot ;
that l can kill you with impunity. That
is what am going to do?
"No, monsieur, no, you will rot kill
me, said the ghost, quietly crossing his arms
and setting himself more comfortable in his
arm chair. IF it had been your design
and determination to kill me, you woulC
have begun by doing it without using s.
many worthless words. Confess frankly
that you have better proposition to make
me- 80
"Well, monsieur, since you speak of ar
t ranging this affair, so be it I am rich
: you are not
: GA CLEAN of satisfaction passed over tn
/ ghosts features. He listened to his host
: proposal with evident pleasure, and shove
himself obstinate only about the sum tOts
;, of the arrangement. To expatriate hin
,. self second time and forever, to return
IS chaos and never again comc to life, he asl
= ed fortune that would allow him to live
. agreeably as dead man could, and he fl,
s. ed the sum at 100000 ecus.
E. Willyou cheaper your happiness" sa
< he to the baron. Would you insult yo
wife by estimating her at a more modera
m price?'
Ill "The bargain concluded, and the d
K funct husband kept his word-the mo
id easily that he made good use of his time
IS. America. The sum given him by the bs
he on allowed him to undertake extensive c
u terprises which succeeded admirably, a
in few years he was worth several nj
ed ions francs. Notwithstanding, and
of though Paris is the paradise of the rich,
in would not have returned there had he !
ro- learned that the baroness had died sudd
len ly and the baron had not survived her
len ly a few days. Then he came back
ner France with his millions and an assun
name. He was long one Of the Paris
be- LIONS In the last few years he was ont
ich the most prominent ELEGANs of that cf
,es. tai of the class. His taste and splen
he'd were much admired. He was dandy
ven middle-aged one-with hair slightly gra
as tall figure, very particular and fashioua
in his dress, a good horseman, great c
had player, an accomplished sportsman,
his sionate lover of art, at the opera, Ere
.esh and Italian, every night, and well kuc
else in the green rooms of the large and /
ner. theatres He also had taken the It'll
It of baron, and his button hole was ornamer
i've, with number of ribbons of unknown
9ph- ders and countries
lse The opulent adventurer ended by
;tiou lating to some of his confidential fri
if he the story of his death and resuscitatio
'e to Death really came few days since and
give prised him in the midst of splendor,
mem the confidential friends have told
So great secret the anecdote of the su
If off which brought its author SO much m
lreer and SO much honor"
ries ! --->~>-- -~~>>---.
aiken a QUERY.-Somebody asks what is
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