Middletown transcript., 1868-07-11
did not lose one of their gestures. and

| onis is WhaC passed between them:
Both of them looked at the departed
and strange, l thought observed a teal
fall from the good angels eyes; he thor
took down from the wall shepherds hal
and crook, ornamented with long rib
bon, which appeared to have once deco
rated the neck of some favorite lamb
All these were submitted to the inspection
OF the dark angel, who gave them up
without any difficulty: but, in his turn,
seized mask, dagger, and dark cloak ,
which betrayed much of the bravo.
&C Can it be. possible, "thought l. to my
self, " that from an honest shepherd this
man can have become an assassin Y'
Then | continued to observe the good
angel, who took robbers hat ornamen-
ted with some handsome feathers: but
the dark one also stretched forth his hand
to snatch it. Then series of gestures
followed, which l could not understand
AT last all was settled by the good an
gels keeping the feathers. and the other
the hat. Finally, all the objects which
had belonged to this man, and which
seemed to attach themselves to everv ac-
ton of his life, were submitted to a Sc
we're examination by these strange visi
tants. The bad an gel seemed to triumph.
But L was overjoyed on at last beholding
the heap of spoils which represented the
good actions of the departed accumulate
to considerable extent; and, when the
strange division was concluded, both the
strange beings looked at me once more.
| quickly closed my eyes, pretending still
to sleep. Hearing no suspicious noise,
opened them few moments after. The
curtains of the bed were again closed as
before. was once more alone with the dead.
When l awoke the next morning, the
glorious sun inundated the room with lbs
joyous flood of light. More than ever
the events of the night appeared to me
like dream; and yet [ had seen all so
distinctly; l remembered even to the
most trifing gesture of the two appari-
tions. My host now entered and asked
if | would take breakfast.
After this repast, which I made in 81
lence, l again set out on my Journey
About a mile from Kirkscheim 1 met the
troop of strolling players who had per-
formed the night before in the village
soon passed them, and turned round to
observe at my ease their curious assem-
blage. | could not restrain violent fit
of laughter on beholding at their head,
mounted on two old broken-down horses
the good and bad angel of the night be-
fore, who chatted anicably, and at that
moment were taking pinch of snuff to-
gethcr. The noise L made in laughing
caused them to look at me. No doubt
they recognized me, for the fair one held
his box to me, saying:
"Win you take some f'
" Thank you," said I; "but you gave |
me a fine fright last night;" and in two
words related to them what had seen
and what I had conjoctured.
They both laughed with all their heart,
and the dark one observed:
" Sir, you were nearly right; for poor
Jacob played ali sorts Of characters, and
played them all well. We last night par |
ted his wardrobe between us. play the
robbers; and Jolivet, here, the lovers /:
but for all that" said he addressing his
'omrade, g you might as well have let me
have the feathers"
Yes, it is quite true all the illusion of
'he stage yanishes on too close inspec
ion of actors.