The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-02

bad enough, but to have disembodied
spirits acting as invisible spectators of
ones folly is maddening.
Its all right continued the ghost;
I'm mum"
Don't" said Mr.. Pevensey, in a
wheedling tone. don't tell any one-I
mean any other ghost; why. if they
should get hold of it, | would be the
laughing stock Of"
Jupiter. "
Mr.. Pevensey stared. you don't
mean to say you live on the planet
jupiter" he asked.
The ghost nodded. Eyes we do"
said he, taking a long pull at his cigar.
Mr. Pevensev sank back again. merely
remarking. We'll, I'm bowed"
You see." explained the ghost, Its
this way: You die and 90 to Jupiter;
then when your time comes you return
to the earth and live over again; now,
was OsSian once. YOU know"
..Oss an" exclaimed Mr.. Pevensey,
astonished. Then who have been;
who was last?"
The ghost was evidently embarrassed
by this question. He looked at Mr..
Pevensey. then at the fire. and knocked
the ashes off his cigar. but did not an
swer. HIS questiOner became impatient.
''Of course, don't expect have been
an Ossian; was probably some humble
citizen, or perhaps an honest artisan. "
This was said as an encouragement and
starting-point for his Wis avis.
You used to live where she does
now-Miss Emory, you know"
Mr. Pevensey thought this most re-
markable piece of intelligence, but he
also regarded it as an evasion of the
question.
No matter where l lived" he said;
care you going to tell me who | was?"
IF you must know, I'll tell you. You
were a crook-a disreputable character,
YOU knOw-uSed to live where the
future Mrs. P. does nOw-got killed in
a drunken brawl, and died in a hospital.
There; YOU would have it, Pen; if You
don't like it it's not my fault; didn't
intend to tell YOU"
Mr.. Pevensev during this speech
gradually assumed an expression that
When the latter had finished he arose,
and, taking a position directly before
Pembroke, said in a deep bass: "You
are a liar!'
The ghost leered at Mr. Pevensey in
manner most provoking to the latter
dignity, and then said calmly: You
used to treat your wife and daughter
shamefullv, Pen; YOU were a perfect
brute. Your wife died in poverty, and
your daughter took to the stage. You
don't believe it? Well, I'll tell you
what I'll do; Just to convince you, I'll
give YOU something that will cause you
to see people and things as you used to
do-put you back where you were about
let me see-thirty years ago
Mr.. Pevensey began to reflect that he
was powerleSs to harm his visitor and
retreated to his chair, where he med
! itated in silence for some minutes on
/ this singular proposition. At length
curiosity to learn of his former existence
got the better of his scruples, and, look
ing up to the eXpectant ghost, he eX-
claimed, IN do it!''
mo sooner were the words spoken
than Mr.. PevenSey was alone, gazing
about in wonderment and pinching
himself to make sure that he was not
dreaming or in a trance. After this
proceeding he uttered divers exclama-
| tions expressive of his astOnishment
and then relapsed into silence. The
rain still continued. and the clock was
as perverse as ever in its efforts TO Guido
its outside rival; in short, the same in
! fluences that had brought the semi
sleep on Mr.. Pevensev before. were at
work again. and ere long he was nod
ding. oppressed by a strange feeling of
| lethargy that made him utterly Obvious
to his surroundings and to the flight of
| time. The fire burned lower and lower
and the clock chImed twelve. The
morning hours dragged on. and at last
the sun shone forth on muddy streets
and dripping caves, sending a ray in at
the window full on the rlumberer' face.
He opened his eyes slowly and gazed
about him with an expression of aston
iShment. Slowly he rose from his chair
and walked to the window.
How did l come here?" he muttered
Bills dive-the fight-the knife-a
white room with cOts-well, blow met
This last exclamation was called forth
and chain. ''Ain't she beauty?' he
asked himself, taking it out and exam
lining it closely. The Hooker must
come down handsome for that-hand-
some. Where did l get such fly togs,
| anyhow" he continued. surveying HIM
self with unbounded delight and adj
miration. But. say. I've been asleep.
! thOugh-and, what's more. right here
| in this festive mansion. There's some
mystery here-some dark and awful
mystery"
This last was uttered in a hoarse
whisper and accompanied by furtive
chances around the room; nothing pre-
senting itself in any way explaining his
situation, he stole cautiously out into the
hall. seized his hat, hurriedlv unlocked
the door, and passed out into the street
His bewilderment was now increased
tenfold. He began to think he had
been transported to another CITY,
Them poles with wires-what are
they for?' he asked of pasSer-by.
The man regarded him with amaze
ment. tapped his forehead significantly,
and passed on without answering. Mr..
Pevensey was dumfounded. Was he in
the spirit world? Had that last brawl
been the cause of his demise? 1t seemed
likely; and yet no; there was the name
of his street; he would seek his own
house, and have an explanat on of the
| affair. Yes. there it was at last 1t
had not changed. at least; the same
steps, the same door were there that he
remembered leaning against so often
late AT night, and observing the two
whirling iamp-pOsts on the corner. He
assembled the stems and fried the door