The Morning herald., 1877-05-23
: THE COMPACT

ware Oscar mayer anu AuuTeW MCOdImOnt
Notwithstanding tha tastes and habits were
mt altogether in unison, they were exceed
;nglv warm in their friendship for each
other. Both were we'll of, as far as world
" goods went and both were bachelors.
Their respective residences we're about two
hundred wards apart, and this short dis
tance enabled them 10 maintain constant
communication with Que another. Mr..
Msyer was short, stout parsonage, who
;nyaribly dressed in brown cloths, and car
kied heavy walking stick, with a huge
Evorv hardle. There was positivenesa in
his Character which was actually irritating
when one attempted to prove point thai
he gainsayed. Like many obstinate men,
bld Oscar was frequently incorrect in some
bf his assertions and beliefs, but such was
khc pertinacity of his disposition, that
Eben once he had decided a point was
light (no matter how absurd it might be),
Iii the philosophic reasoning and the un-
(nswerable proofs that might might be ad-
huced, never changed the opinion Of Oscar
Mayer.
McCalmont was a tall, thin man, and
bad stoop in his shoulders that gave him
IN upgainly appearance when he walked.
His disposition was rather good, but he,
bo, had positiveness of character that
Jas very strong. But it was not like his
kiend Mayors, nothing near so aggressive
old Oscar's. Andrew would listen par
emily to one who opposed him, and he
nd the merit Of never losing his temper
an argument, while Mayer would be-
pme so angry at opposition that the only
ode Of soothing his turbulent spirit was
abruptly leave his presence. Week in
Id week oul, in Summer and Winter, and
BAT and cold, these two old cronias would
sit each other daily and talk over the
st, and forever argue matters on which
ley never seemed able to agree.
1t was in the Fall, and the gorgeous
pts of Summer we're mellowing into blood
hues Of Autumn, and the wind was
ipg chill and damp, as Oscar Mayer sat
the window Of his study and out upon
streets The day was well.nigh spent,
d the passers to and fro were moving
tn that rapid step which denotes a
sire to get within doors out of the cheers
and uncomfortable atmosphere. As
twilight deepened, the pedestrians
re thrown into greater obscurity, but the
Fasional lighting up Of houses cast a
|nsient gleam over the faces and gar
nts of such as sschanced to pass by
car's window. One after another, in
id succession, the street lamps blazed
displaying in a long vista down the
pets a far-of line of lights, which were
dualIy lost in the haziness of the night.
Is Oscar sat musing and gazing out on
street, his eyes caught sight Of his
ind Andrew McCalmont, making long
des toward his home. Mayer tapped
he window, and, throwing up the sash,
ues!ed McCalmont TO come over as soon
be had finished his supper.
] feel restless and lonely tonight" he
therefore your presence will be all
more agreeable"
lndrew promised to visit him, and then
ried on his way. His supper over
ltarted for Mayors house, and found
seated in his study, with a large edition
be Bible on one side Of him, and the
ings Of Lucretius on the other. He
been studying both the profane and
led, and as was usually the case with
he was wonderfully perplexed, al.
hgh he would not have admitted it. I
that Autumn evening he had been
lily puzzlipg himself with the curious
somewhat idle doctrines concerning |
intermediate state of the soul.
be entrance of Andrew McC Calmontsen-
d him to give speech to the thoughts
had been crowdirg bis mind.
Andrew," he began, as soon as the 'other
taken his accustomed seat, "do you
I've that spirits, or whatever you may
be to term them, ever revisit their ma.
earth?"
don't know anything about spirits"
med McC cCalmont. with growl, for he
bot care about being drawn into con.
Prsy with Oscar that evening. i
wish a categorical reply" snarled
(ther. "I did not ask you what you
about the matter, but what you be-
Yell, them" replied McCalmont, II
believe word of such nonsense
business could spirit have prowl-
about the earth "a place where ne
onger belonged, and where no one
for his society"
|on't you think you may be mistaken
there being no business here for a
?" asked Mayer. ut is curious
corroborated by the traditions Of all
nr, that spirits do reveal themselves
thly survivors. Can such belief,
ngly so extensive with the human
be other than an inherent principle
nature p
be SOUL" replied McCalmont, who
ompelled to make answer, as much
wished to avoid discussion that evens
the soul, ! sayiis an immortal, and
quently, imperishable essence, EN-.
. for season in human and per-