The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-05-24

his watch he was the door of the ser
wants room, which opened on the
platform of the stairs-the room being
built over the kitchen. standing slight
| ly ajar and as she looked,a black face
encircled by night cap, peeped out
and black hand, with a white tril
about it, pushed it to-Biddy's face
Biddy's hand, without doubt.
Had to get breakfast yourself, my
dear p said Mr.. Dibbs, as he took a
seat at the table.
oh, no. replied his wife. why did
you think SO?
And at that moment, Biddy, in her
ordinary dress, walked into the room
with a plate of mullins in her hand.
Singular said Mr.. Dibbs, to him
self, but made no further explanation
1t was month since Biddy's en-
trance into the family, and she had
given every satisfaction. Still it was
plain to be seen that something was
the matter.
Aunt Julia had returned home, and
every one was well. but Mrs. Dibbs
looked anxious. So did her sister.
So also did Mr.. Dibbs.
The ladies exchanged mysterious
glances with each other, and the gen.
tleman often shook his head warning
ly at his eldest boy, when he had just
opened his lips to say something.
Mr.. Dibbs often asked his wife what
troubled her, and she frequently said,
why are you SO serious, my dear?'
AT last Julia was found in Mysteries
in the hall, and matter grew too seri-
Gus to be kept quiet any longer.
Il must know what it is,' said Mr..
Dibbs.
Don't tell him. sobbed Julia.
Il don't see why you should be
ashamed of it, said Mrs. Dibbs. You
can't help it. It's nerves 1 suppose.
We'd better send for a DOCTOR
I'm not nervous sobbed Julia. oh,
dearl dear dear!'
There, now,' said Mrs. Dibbs. Il
declare can't bear it any longer. My
dear, poor Livv has taken to ghost
seeing, and she's SO affected me that
really have imagined something of
the sort myself. She sees a black wo-
man exactly like Biddy over and over
again, when Biddy is somewhere else
to my certain knowlege; and Eye seen
the same thing twice. It's an optical
illusion, presume. Eve read of such
things
Mrs. Dibbs turned pale.
MY dear girls, said he, Fred is as
bad as you are. I've been threatening
to flog the poor fellow if he frighten-
ed you with his stories; but he sees
Biddy in the barn, in the meadow,
here, there, everywhere and then he
runs home and finds her in the kitch-
en-, or where not, and naturally feels
oddly about it. l myself have seen
the same thing twice.
you have!' cried Mrs. Dibbs.
Your screamed Julia. 'Oh, I'm so
thankful! Pm not crazy, then!
oh, dear, no = said Mr.. Dibbs; 'oh,
dear, no! You see, it is becoming
plain to me that a certain old super
stition of which 1 have read is found
ed on facts. You have heard of peo-
pie who have had doubles. Biddy evil
IDENTIFY has q double. The wrath does
not speak, you say. That comedies
with all the stories on the subject.
Yes, that's the solution of the mystery.
Biddy has a double,'
But we can't keep such a mysteri-
GUS girl about the house. It's like
hiring a ghost said Mr.. Dibbs.
Suppose we talk to Biddy?' said
Mr.. Dibbs.
The proposition met with favor.
Biddy was sent for. and came at once.
Now, my good girl, don't want to
frighten you,' said Mr.. Dibbs; 'but
something odd has happened. Did
you ever have anything singular said
to you about yourself-for instance,
that you were seen where you never
went, you know, or something like
that? p
'Oh, yes,' said Biddy-'yes, sah, to
be sure. always hear the same story.
There's two of me. 1t scares folks,
but can't help it.
Don't 1t frighten you?' asked Mrs.
Dibbs.
I'm used to it, said Biddy. Bein'
two OF me got me lots of scolding
when | was owned by old massa,
you see, can't help where 9th
CT one of me goes, or what it does
'Yes, she has q double said Mr..
Dibbs. Yes, yes. Very singular
very.'
lin sorry, Biddy,' said Mrs. Dibbs,
but it frightens my sister very much,
and we shall be oblig ed to part. You
have been good girl. Biddy I'll pay
you up at the end of the next month,
but can't bear ghost seeing any long
err
very well, ms'am.' said Biddy.
Ill pack up. You must excuse there
being two O. mel can't help it,
Very SINGULAR said Mr.. Dibbs;
'very--very-very.'
Biddy went up stairs to pack her
clothes, and came down with her bun
die.
If you'd like to look over my things,
ma am, said she, there they are. Ii
there is two O. me, why, I'm honest
Then Biddy slowly proceeded TO
spread upOn the AoOr her worldly pos
sessions, which were neither numer-
GUS nor costly.
Nothing that aint mine she said !;