The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-03

one in every way superior to it, which they presently did.
 Then l was obliged to conEide Gin the s:T;ctest secresy) to two members of the peerage (both persons of irreproachable breeding, with whom was at that time exceedingly intimate) that it was indeed bona fide apparition, and that rather liked such things about me. can not explain how it happened, but in a very short time the story had gone the round of the clubs and the drawing-rooms, and 1 found myself launched as a lion of the largest size-if it is strictly correct to speak of launching lion.
 l received invitations everywhere, on the tacit understanding that was going to briSg my ghost, and the wrath of Barnjum, as some who read this may re- member, was to be seen at all the best houses in town for the remainder of the season while in the following autumn l was asked down for the shooting by sev- eral wealthy Parvenus, with secret hope, unless l am greatly mistaken, that the ghost might conceive the idea of re- maining with them permanently, thereby imparting to their brand-new palaces the necessary favor of legend and mystery but of course it never did.
 To tell the truth, whatever novelty there vas about it soon wore of too soon, in fact, for hckle as society is, have no hes itation in asserting that we ought to have lasted it at least second season, if only Barpjum's ghost had not persisted in making itself so ridicuiously cheap that, in little more than a fortnight, society was as sick of it as was myself.
 And then the inconveniences which at- tached to my situation began to assert themselves more and more emphatically.
 l began to stay at home sometimes in the evening, when l observed that the phantom had an unpleasant trick of illu- minatins itself at the approach of dark ness withA bilious green light, which, as 1t was not nearly strong enough to enable me to dispense with a reading lamp, merely served to depress me.
 And then 1t began to absent itself oc- cas.onally for days together, and though at hrst l was rather glad not to see so much of 1t, l grew uneasy at fast. was always fancying that the Psychical society, who are credited with understanding the proper treatment of spectres in health and disease, from the tsmb upward, might have got hold of it and be teaching it to talk and compromise me. heard after ward that one of their most prominent members did happen to come across it, but, with skepticism which can not but think was somewhat wanting in dis comment, rejected 1t as palpable impo- sition.
 l had to leave the rooms where had been so comforta 1le, for my landlady complained that the street was blocked up by a mob of the lowest description from till I2 every evening, and she really could not put up with it any longer.
 On inquiry found that this was owing to Barnjum's ghost getting out upon the root almost every night after dark, and playing the fool among the chimney pots, causing me, as its apparent owner, to be indicted five times for committing a common nuisance by obstructing the thoroughfare, and once for collecting an unlawful assembly. l spent all my spare cash in fines.
 It followed me one day to one of the underground railway stations, and would get into a compartment with me, which led to lawsuit that made a nine days sensation in the legal world. need only mention the celebrated case of "The Metropolitan District railway vs. Blunt ing" Tn which the important principle was once for all laid down that railway company, by the terms of it's contract, is entitled to refuse to carry ghosts, spec tres, or any other supernatural baggage, and can moreover exact heavy penalty from passengers who infringe its bylaws in this respect.
 This was, of course, decision against me, and carried heavy costs, which my private fortune was just sufficient to meet.
 But Barnjum's ghost was bent upon alienating me from society also, for at one of the best dances of the season. at a house where l had with infinite pains just succeeded in establishing a preca- rious footing, that miserable phantom disgraced me forever by executing a shadowy but decidedly objectionable species of can-can between the dances
 Feeling indirectly responsible for its oehdVior, aPolog'Zed profuSely to my hostess, but the affair found its way into the society journals. and she never either forgave or recognized me again.
 Shortly after that, the committee of my club lone of the most exclusive in Lon don) invited me to resign, intimating that, by introducing an acquaintance of questionable antecedents and disreputa- ble exterior into the smoking-room, I had abused the privileges of member ship.
 lhad been afraid of this when saw it following me into the building, arrayed ln Highland costume and tall hat: but was quite unable to crive it away.
 Up to that time had been at the bar, where was doing pretty we'll, but now no firm of solicitors would em- ploy man who had such an unprofes- sional thing as a phantom about his chambers. threw up my practice, and had no sooner changed my last sovereign than l was summoned for keeping ghost without license!
 Some men, no doubt. would have qiven