The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-05-19

.sThat is truly queer state Of things," I
remarked .But why are you afraid Of hint
He couldn't hurt you"
"Of course he couldn't" said the ghost.
"But his very presence is . shock and terror
to me. Imagine, sir. how you would feel il
ms case were yours" 49, go.
Icoald not Imagine such . thing at ali. /
sfmply shuddered. -.
"And il one must be wrongful ghost at
all, the apparition continued, sit would be
much Pleas,nter e be the ghost Of some man
other than John Hinckman. There is in him
an irascibility of temper, accompanied BY .
facility of invective, which is seldom met with.
And what would happen II he we're to see me,
and find out, as I am sure he would. how long
and why had inhabited bis house. / can
scarcely conceive. have seen him In his
bursts OF passion, and although he did not
hurt the people he stormed at any more than
he would hurt nae, they seemed to shrink
before him. fsi'f - -
All this knew to be very true. Had 1t not
been for this popularity Of Mr.. Hinckman.
might have been more willing to talk to him
about his niece. lls.
81 feel sorry for YOU" I said, for really
began to have q sympathetic feeling toward
this unfortunate apparition. Your case is,
indeed, hard one. 1t reminds me Of those
persons who have had doubles, and suppose
q man would often be very. angry, indeed,
when he found that there was another being
who was personating himself"
so, the cases are not similar at oil, !" said the
ghost. A double or doppelganEer lives on the
earth like . man, and, being exactly like him,
he makes him all sorts of trouble, of course.
1t is very different with me. am not here to
live with Mr.. Hinckman. am here to take
his place. Now, it would make John Hinck-
man very angry il he knew that Don't you
know it wOuldW
assented promptly.
s'Now that he is away can be easy for .
little while, continued the ghost, "and am
SO glad to have an opportunity of talking to
you. have frequently come into your room,
and watched you while you slept, but did not
dare to speak to you for fear that If you talked
wi h me Mr.. Hinckman would hear you, and
come into the room to know why you were
talking to yourself"
'.But would he not hear youV asked.
30, no." said the other, "there are times
when any one may see me, but no one hears
me except the person to whom address my
self.''
.'But why did you wish to speak to mes'' I
asked. ..hG s:i q
"Because," replied the ghost, like occa-
sionally to talk to people, and especially to
some one like yourself, whose mind Is so
troubled and Derturbed that you are not likely
to be frightened by a visit from one OF US.
But particularly wanted to ask you to do me
a favor. There is every probability, SO Ear as
time, and my situation is becoming insupport-
able. My great object at present is to get my
self transferred, and think that you may,
perhaps, be of use to me-"
Transferred! l exclaimed. "What do
you mean by thata"
"What I mean," said the other, is this:
Now that have started on my career have
got to be the ghost of someb dy; and want
to be the ghost of man who is really dead. T"
81 should think that would be easy enough"
said Opportunities must continually oc-
cur.''
''Not at all not at alp said my companion.
quickly. "You have no idea what rush and
pressure there is for situations of this kind.
Whenever q vacancy occurs, if l may express
myself in that way, there are crowds OF appli-
cations for the ghostship."
81 had no idea that such state of things
existed, said, becoming quite interested in
the matter. There ought to be some regu-
lar system, or order of precedence, bv which
you could all take your turns like customers in
barber's shop"
80 dear. that would never do at allp' said
the other. "Some of US would have to wait
forever. There is always great rush when
ever good ghostship offers itself-while, as
you know, there sre some positions that no
one would care for. And 1t was in conse-
quence of my being in too great hurry on an
occasion of the kind that got myself into my
present disagreeable predicament and have
thought that it might be possible that you
would help me out of it. You might know OF
q case where an opportunity for ghostship
was not generally expected, but which mi 1ht
give me short notice know could arrange
for transfer"
What do you mean?" Iexclaimed. seDo
you want me to commit suicides Or to under
take a murder for your benedt!"
90, no, no, no" said the other, with q
vapory smile. mean nothing OF tina kind:
To be sure, there are lovers who are watched
ing been known, In moments OF depression, to
offer very desirable ghostships, but did not
think of ANYTHING of that kind In connection
with you. You were the only person l cared
to speak to, and hoped that you might give
me some information that would be of use;
and, in return, l shall be very glad to help you
{" You seem to know that have such ar
affair." said. rE .-
80, yes" replied the other. with little
yawn. Is could not be here 50 much as have
been without knowing all about that"
There was something horrible in the idea Of
Madeline and myself having been watched by
Q ghost, even, perhaps, when We wandered to
gether in the mostdelightfula and bosky places
But then, this was quite an exceptional ghost,
and could not have the objections to him
which would ordinarily arise in regard to be
ings of his class. Ht
!" must go now" said the ghost, rising
"but will see you somewhere tomorrow
night. And remember-you help me and III
help you" E5E -.
had doubts the next morning as to thu
propriety of telling Madeline any hing about
this interview. and soon convinced myself thai
l must keep silent on the subject II she knew
there was ghost about the house she would
prabably leave the place instantly. did not
mention the matter, and so regulated my de-
meanor that am quite sure Madeline nevel
suspected what had taken place. For some
time had wished that Mr. Hinckman would
absent himself, for day at least, from thu
premises. In such case I thought might
more easily nerve myself up to the point Of
speaking to Madeline on the subject of ou
future collateral existence, and, now that thu
opportunity for such speech had really &C
CURED, did not feel ready to avail myself oi
it. What would become of me if she refused
met
l had an idea, however, that the lady
thought that, II were going to speak ct all
this was the time. She must have known tina,
certain sentiments were afoat within me, ant
she was not unreasonable in her wish to see
the matter settled one way or the other. Blu
I did not feel like taking bold step in TIN
dark. II she wished me to ask her to kivt
herself to me, she ought to offer me some
reason to suppose that she would make thu
gift. II Isaw no probability Of such generos
fly, would prefer that things should remain