Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1862-03-15

finished the second bottle, and bottle mum.
Der three was soon uncorked.
Between smoking and drinking the min.
| it had been since | was left alone, but one
thing was quite apparent which was that
my cigar was rather too much consumed
! to be agreeable. While lighting another
l accidently glanced at my companion,
and was startled to find him looking at
me ,rembled in every limb, dropped
both cigars. and sank back exhausted, still
gazing at the eyes Of the inanima'e body.
Yes, there he was There could be no
doubt of the fact. saw him plainly. He
was still in the same position, preparing,
as it were, to cross his legs but Judge Of
my surprise when he succeeded in the at.
tempt! In the name of all that is won
dertul was it possible ? He actually
crossed his legs! This was to horrible,
my courage vanished, and became faint
And still those liieless eyes were staring
at mine They we're the mos. peculiar
eyes ever beheld. The blush coIored
lids formed circle in the centre were
the eyes seeming like dim lights shining
through balls of glass.
There we sat for some time, moioness
| as statutes. l never saw such triehtful
object before aud never wish to AGAIN.
! Could explain it by natural causes? l
thought it possible. When the body was
| exposed to the air and hest, might no, the
muscles become relaxed. causing the eye.
lids TO open and the leg to fall !? But then
how could the relaxation of muscles make
the lids rise? determined to find ou, if
in reality this was the case. To do this i.
was necessary to approach him, and for
the moment could not muster up suffi
ciens courage. Bu! where was the use in
being cowardly? Suppose he were alive
what then? Ought not rather to re
jo'ce atthe opportunity presented for doing
good act in restoring him again to con.
| sciousness Certainly. l could not,
! however, lessen the distance between US. If
| attempted to get some. and took my eyes
away from him. was afraid the grim be.
ing would rise; SO, keeping them steadily
fixed upon him, reached the bottle, and
applying its mouth to nine, took good,
long drink. then slowly rose from my
chair for the purpose Of approaching him
but perceived tba, while rising, aId With
my eyes fastened upon his, they followed
mine. His head, however, did not move.
This was enough to prove there was no
doub, Of the lids being raised. sd, down
again with chattering teeth and hair stand
ing on end Was drunk 1t was very
plain question, asked in very decided
manner. | telt sure that was not in
that condition. 1t is true had drank
considerable, bat it is not supposed that !
was seriously affected | medta,ed awhile
| and then looked at my neighbor. His
countenance appeared rs before, and his
eyes were vet upon = level with mine
Could it be possible be was alive? TAX
ing everything into consideration would
answer the question in the negative. He
was, then, dead ? Most decidedly. Then
what as'onishes me? had ftncjel he
moved--that was all it WAS mere sup
position. Let the have another lass, which
will sci all right But perhaps my friend
would wan. one also. Coed. That will
prove to a certainty whether he is alive or
not. If dead, he will say or DO nothing
aud | never yet knew live man 10 refuse
good wine. | took a glass, and endeav-
oring to appear calm, spake to my silen:
companion
"Mr. Grim" said with quavering
voice, will you, sir, do me the favor-ah
to take a glass OF wine with me ?"
A moments silence, and then was heard
a solemn " No J. proceeding from the
strangers lips.
For five minutes hardly breathed. He
was alive or was drunk. One or the
other OF these assertions mus, be correct.
1t was difficult to believe he could be alive,
and it was still more difficult to acknowl.
edge myself drunk. After while l was
courageous enough to speak again.
Mr.. Grim, don't you like wine ?'
Yes" replied the body, though there
was no, the sligh,es. motion Of the lips.
Won't you have some then 2"
"Yes'
"a glass Of this p
mo"
"Would you like some champagne
"Yes."
recollected having seen several bottles
of that sparkling wine in the closet, and
! rising, walked toward il as we'll as my al
most ungovernable frigh. would allow. but
being afraid to turn my back upon my
neighbor, passed along sideways. While
reaching for the bottle heard the body
nutter unintelIigible sounds. used all
possible haste, returned to the table,
popped the cork, and poured forth bum
per. held the glass toward my visitor,
bu. us be paid me not even the slightest
| attention placed it on his lips, and slow
! ly poured the fluid down his throat, When
abou. one half had disappeared he raised
his eyes to mine. | started, and let fall
the glass, which broke upo, the floor.
Good T. exclaimed the body.
"You liked it, then 2 said recovering
| from my terror.
Much"
evil you have more ?"
mo; that was enough. was very
thirsty. l haven't drank anything for
many years.
Horrible r thought I; "where has he
been that he could get nothing to drink 2
When l asked what it was he had last
drunk,
!" Water" he replied. ....
"Whers5'