The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-03-22
THE BLACK CLOAK.

There are m any things in this life for which we are no, able to fully account, said the colonel. when some one of the company had tod of phenomenon which had startled neighborhood. '' have never had m2ch experience with the marvellous, still, have had experiences which cannot be put down as ordinary. old fellow circumstances having forced me from well appointed hr,, noor apart inen:s to ,hird story rat repository. The room was poorly furnished, with a home made carpet and two crazy chairs, along with the other evidences of poverty, and didn't feel a; all comfortable as sat there, the first night after moving in, contemplating my surroundings. Look : ing up, sav d black cloak hanging from one of the tafiers. Mus, have been left by some former occupant, unused, and there was certainly nothing unusual Tn .ae sight oi black cloak. yet l could aot keep my eyes oil the garment. l. tlultered and wlth start sprans from the ch air and stared A, he thing Mus, have been only a fancy, for waited Tn sala for a repetition of the performance. The only ligh, 1 had WAS A pu.tering taliow candle with wick almost as large as plow line. took ou, news paper and attempted ,o read, but the eccentric flame danced so that 1 could scarcely see. and in attempting ts snuff inc candle, the iig at went out. Something struck me in the face, not violently, but with kind of lit, like the wave of a skirt. Nervously striking a match. and lighting the candle, 1 looked up at the cloak. IL was waving. wasn't fright esed. still 1 didn't feel comfortable ionged for d hilarious companion. Again attempted to read, bu, the lish, danced as before, and unable longer to endure something which had become torture, l took up tke light and went down stars. livery place was shu, up, and alone l walked around. listening to the hollow echo of my own footsteps. could not entertain the idea of again going in that room. and went 10 hotel, where l en- s.ged room. sa, down under the gas light and began to read, complacen,. iy contrasting my pleasant surroundings w,h those of the bare room and dancing light. Looking up. l saw black cloak hanging on the wall. l summoned the waiter.
 's Whose cloak Is that
 B'longs ter de gennerman whut wuz heah yestidy. sah.
 " How do you know
 - Dean speak fur sho sah, bu, dat 5 de 'clusion whut Ise 'nbed lt
 -' Are you certain ,ha, It was in this room before came 7
 ''' Nor. sah
 Wish you'd take il away
 He took du~n the cloak and wen, out. unused rather nervously oyer the peculiari,y ot my situation. had no, been drinking to excess, for sobrie,y is a principle to which risidl, adhere l surveyed the room and was startled. A black cloak hung on the wall. sum moned the waiter.
 '' There hangs another cloak. Doyeu know who is its owner 7
 Mus belong ter de man whu, wu1 heah yesudy.'
 ". Did you see anyone bring i, here ?
 "' Nor sah, no, fur sho'.
 "' Take 1t away
 :. went to bed, leaving the light turned up. For a time lay with my eyes closed Opening them. saw a black cloak hang ing al the foot of the bed. closed my eyes. Slowly l opened them The cloak was gone Something struck me in the face. The cloak was hanging a, the head oi the bed. closed my eyes and at. tempted to sleep. hu, the skirts of the ominous garment brushed my face. By this time didn't know what to do. l, was useless to have the cloak removed for immediately, as had found by ex- perience, another one would appear wasn't frightened, understand. was annoyed. At last concluded to take down the garment and examine the thing. On the collar found the name John Budsell. Then was in- deed startled, for John had been my best and most intimate friend, and had been dead about year. Killed himself drink ing. l demonstrated with him many and many a time, but he continued in his