The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-11-22
THRICE WARNED.
A STORY OF THE supERsArURAL.

STORY OF THE SUPERNATURAL.
The circumstance that / am about tC
relate is of such an extraordinary nature
that it will be better for me to give a
short sketch of my birth and anteced-
ents, in osder that the reader may ne
able the better to Judge of it for himself
am not about to attempt an expla.
nation, for the endeavor to explain the
supernatural is bound to end in fog and
failure.
/ viii merely state the plain facts Of
the case as they happened, without com
ment, and then, as I said before, the
reader can judge for himself.
To commence with, / am a High
lander by birth, and my father was
noted as the descendant of -; but my
father has nothing to do with the present
narrative, 80 / will pass him by.
My mother was noted for miles around
for the possession of that marvellous
faculty of second-sight, TOR which so
many of my country people have been
famed. In fact, she foretold her own
death, which occurred shortly after the
arrival of my brother and myself, who
were twins.
My father soon followed his wife, and
Robert and were left alone, two help
less children.
An uncle, however, who resided in
Aberdeen, having heard of the death of
his brother, undertook the charge of us,
and we were removed to his house and
brought up by him.
There was always wonderful aAnity
between my brother and myself. 1t was
more than affection it was a mysterious
attraction that caused us TO be uneasy
unless we were in one another's society;
and any thing that affected one of us,
even il we were miles away, was sure to
be felt by the other.
Time went on, and when we were six
teen our uncle considered that we were
old enough to enter his Office, where we
were accordingly placed as clerks.
From the first this never suited
Robert. He was not fitted for the
rough, every day drudgery and routine
of place of business, and, although he
never once complained, i could perceive |
and feel what torture and sgony it was |
to his proud spirit to descend to the dull |
slavery of the desk.
In few months this became more
perceptible. and his cheeks, always pale,
grew more SO. and his eyes became large
and feverish, and his breath short and
difficult to draw.
The reader must forgive my lingering |
over this, for Robert was my only brother,
and loved him.
At length it became evident to all that |
he was i'll, and he was put TO bed, and |
medical aid was called in.
But it was then too late. The death !
warrant had been signed, and my brother
was going.
1t was three O'Clock one morning the
church-bells all over the town had Just |
struck the hour, as 1 was sitting in his
room by his bedside.
He had been slumbering, but suddenly
awoke, and said:
Douglas, my brother, L have just
seen our mother, and my time is up in
halt an hour. Do not grieve, brother 1 |
am glad. My nature was not suited for
this world; yours is different And /
may be able to assist you where 1 am
going"
! WAS not seventeen and I could not |
restrain my tears, as cried:
I" Do not 60, Robert, and leave me all /
alone in this cold, heartless world ="
'sHush, my brotheri" he replied. 81 |
must obey. but this will promise you.
if am permitted it 1 will revisit you;
and if ! should be allowed the power 1
viii always warn you OF coming danger.
And now, farewell, brother; my time is
nigh. / can feel the weakness coming
that precedesremoval. Farewell, brother,
until We meet again. Fare
The half hour struck out, and Robert
fell back dead.
My cries aroused the house, and in a |
few minutes the ordinary nurse, the SER
wants, and my uncle had entered the
room
was led away in spite of my en-
treaties to be left, and placed in my own
room.
Lying across the foot of my bed felt
though my heart would break; but,
forAnstely, my grief found relief in
tears, and in short time / had wept
myself to sleep.
know not how long slept, when 1
awoke suddenly with feeling of intense
happiness.
As opened my eyes perceived that
my dead brother Robert was standing by
my side.
He looked radiant and pleased, and,
holding up one hand, as if to demand
silence, be said:
"All is well, dear Robert, and am
permitted to guard thee frem harm"
No sooner had he finished speaking
than he melted away into the gray dusk
of the approaching dawn.
Immediately arose, and, pulling up
the blind before my windew, looked
forth.
1t was not yet dsybresk, though that
rosy appearance that generally comes
before sunrise was apparent.
Then I lay down and once more fell
asleep.
BY the end of the week my brother
was buried, and was alone in the
world.
Years passed on. My-uncle died, and
left the wealth be had accumulated to
his wife . family.
With new head to the firm there
came new rules, regulations and staff,
and had to find fresh occupation.
Fortunately, without being long out
of employment, obtained a situation
in an insuranoe company's Office, where