The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-11-27
2.
SELECT STORY.
A SOUL WITHOUT A BODY.
A RUSSIAN LEGEND.

drum announced that the police had
something they wished to make known,
and consequently 4 concourse of the
good people of the city of Kejensk
gathered around the public crier. We
will give the announcement as nearly
literally as possible: To-day, near the
village of Markovkin, corpse has been
found The same is of the male sex, has
gray eyes, dark complexion, long,
somewhat eagle-lik nose, light brown
hair, and shaved chin. The authori-
ties of Kejensk desire to know to whom
the body belongs. If relations or the
owner himself should be found, they or
he will report at the above named vii
lage, where the examination will take
place.
Three weeks elapsed and no one pre-
sented himself. The coroner took a
physician and his old clerk Sevastiano-
vitsch, and repaired to the village in
order to complete the examination, and
comply with the law governing such
cases. The owner of the village receiv-
ed the commission kindly, and offered
them the hospitalities of his house. The
old clerk, however, compelled by law to
pass the night with the body, which was
to be opened the following morning; his
refreshments therefore, was sent to him,
and they were accompanied by bottle
of good wine and liberal allowance of
schnapps. After he had arranged his
papers for the following day. Sevasti-
anovitsch began to eat and drink, as on
ly Russian can eat and drink, and to
think over the past-how he had been
an important parsonage, hut had early
distinguished himself, had acquired pos
ition, a modest fortune, etc. AS for his
little fortune, it is trce, in acquiring it,
he had sometime resorted to means
which Stunned publicity, but what of
that. evastianovitsch is well to do.
When he, with such and similar
thoughts, had been occupied an hour or
90, had swallowed the last drop of his
drinkables, and was about to give him
aeh up to new dreams, suddenly voice
on his left side was heard to say:
Father Iyan Sevastianavitsch, en-
treat you to hear me-
Sevastianovitsch, reminded of his
Office by these words, put himself ac-
cording to his wont, promptly in writ
ing position; he seized his pen, bent
over his paper, and, without looking
round, asked, in a most sonorous official
tone.
what do you desire?'
you have, in the name of the author
tiles, summoned the owner of the body
found in the village to present himself
'Well!'
The body belongs to me-
'Wellp
You will not find me ungrateful, if
WAS the deceased your servant?
No, Ivan Sevastianov1tsch, the body
is mine, my own body
'Ahp
You can easily imagine how incon-
venient it is to be without body. I
beg that you will give me your assist
ance as soon as possible
You can count on my aid, but the
mandates of the law must be obeyed.
We will call the witnesses, and make the
examination at the earliest hour posi-
bic. The extra trouble you will, of
course-'
'Oh, give yourself no uneasiness on
that point. Give me my body, and you
can count with certainty on fifty rubles.'
At these words Seyastianovitsch rails
ed his head, heavy from the effects of
the wine and schnapps, as though he
would look in the face of the speaker to
see if he could believe him; but he saw
no one.
Come in, come in said he. What
do you want to remain out there for?'
why, am here near YOU said the
voice.
Sevastianovitsch trimmed the wick of
the lamp and rubbed his eyes, and, as
he still saw no one, he murmured.
What, the devil! am blind? I don't
see you, my friend
You need not wonder at that. How
can you expect to see me, since I have
no body"
sEh, indeed don't understand you.
Allow me to have one glance at you, at
least
$50 be it. can make myself visible
for a moment, but it will cost me very
great effort.
And uow out of dark corner of the
room, there came a frail, tottering figure
and hardly had it shown itself, when il
disappeared.
Pardon me, good SIR said the voice
but you cannot imagine how difficult il
is for soul without a body to make it.
self visible Give me back my body,
beg of you; will not limityour reward
to the promised fifty rubles.'
Il would gladly comply with youl
wish, good sir, but truly 1 do not under
stand you. Have you written request?
"A written request! How could writ,
it without body? Will you not be 81
good as to draw one up for me yourself?
What Why, how can do that, whel
don't understand what you say?'
Il will dictate it. You need only t
write.
Sevastianovitsch selected a sheet O
stamped paper, and said:
We'll, tell me your name, your title
if you have any, and your profession
MY name is John Louis
'Profession?
Il am stranger and a nobleman.'
Sevastianovitsch wrote the usual forr
at the top of the sheet in big, ia
letters; the name however, suffere
: somewhat at his hands.
ITO the police authorities at Kefensk:
The stranger, Saveli Julutscheo, nc
bleman, says Well, what else?'
, Write down everything, now, just a
1 tell you. Tgreatly desire
, i greatly desire'-well?'
a