West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-07-24

II didn hear you knock"
Il didn't knock
"Oh!n
Take chair" said Smile.
81 will stay but a few moments" re-
Piled the stranger.
OF course neither of the young men
knew all the hundreds of students at
the University. but they thought the
| stranger belonged to one Of the depart
mcnts. although il seemed odd that nc
should enter without rapping.
Have cigar" said Wentworth,
! pushing the box towards him.
81 come on business said the other,
and do not smoke. That is my skcle-
ton"
ooh, excuse me-" cried Wentworth.
IL articulated John W. myself"
Whom"
John w. We call him Stodgers.
John w. Stodgers.
"Oh. you do
Yes. For convenience Don't sup
| pose that was his name"
1t certainly was not"
How do you know?'
Because / tell you the skeleton IS
mine"
SHOW him our receipts for the BODY.
John. You don't understand. | guess.
that Wentworth and bought the BODY
and have the receipts. It's not store
skeleton. 1t is Johns upper and my
lower and so we fixed up the bones our
selves"
IL wish TO see no receipts. You don t
, appear to understand me. When was
alive that skeleton was the frame work
of my body"
when YOU were diiUcP"
"Certainlv."
What are you nor? You don't
mean to pretend that you palm your
self oil as ghost on us ~
IF you have any doubts about the
matter. just throw that ruler at me-"
Smile at once took the stranger at
his word and the ruler met no oppo-
sition. but apparently passed through
the spectcr and fell Gathering to the
| floor. AT that instant the Jaw of the
skeleton fell with its sudden click, and
in the silence that ensued it seemed to
] regard the spirit with sort of CLEAN
of recognition. Wentworth walked
| across the room and picked up the
ruler. Coming back he snapped the
Jaws shut again and sat down.
That's singular, to say the least,
John, said Smile, helplcssly.
AT this moment there was knock at
the door.
Come" shouted Smile.
In the gloom they recognized Tom
Fulmer, one of the students
Excuse me-" said Tom, seeing n
stranger present and preparing to with
draw
mo, no, come in, Tom; you're just
the man we want to see. "
Tom took the chair offered him
Il don't just know how to introduce
YOU" said Wentworth. Tom, this is
-a-ah gentleman who claims TO be
the original possessor of this skeleton
"Ah dispute as TO ownership eh?"
That tendency" answered Went
worth. 'He is, in fact, "a well, .
ghost"
"A whatp"
The gentleman has been dead for
explaining having seemingly got be-
yond Wentworth And while alive
this was his skeleton"
"Oh, come now, Smile, what are Won
giving us?'
Fact" said Smile. "just tossed this
ruler through him. Try it
Fulmer hesitated.
at will perhaps convince YOU quicker
than anything else, and don't incon-
venience me in the least" said the an
partition. Fulmer tossed the ruler, with
the same result as before. He was very
short-sighted and he adjusted his eve
glasses and peered across the table at
the ghost, who stood impassively as he
had done from the first
81 say, Wentworth, just strike,a light,
will you"
Wentworth lit the large lamp that
stood on top of the bureau. The ghost
appeared an ordinary-looking man.
dressed as any man might be- Fulmer,
with corrugated brow, gazed at him
while Smile and Wentworth felt a sort
OF momentary pride of ownership. as if
their possession of the skeleton gave
them a kind of proprietorship in the
specter.
The amiable skeleton, which now
shone white III the bright light. seemed to
beam in benevolent way on its former
owner.
'.'Sit down" said Fulmer Il hate to
talk to -person-standing.
The specter sat down.
Now, what use is this skeleton TO
!ou? began the young lawyer. his pro-
tessional instinct getting the better of
his amazement
lHal' III you VIII pardon me, is no
one business but my own. | NAV say
! want it placed where ] will know where
to find tor / may say that / don't
choose to have it remain here the sub
Ject of scolling and con'umely."
''Oh, you're wrong there" said Went
worth. we both have the greatest
respect for John w lie is a guide
philosopher and friend AS well as in
structor
just let me handle this case" said
Fulmer, with backward wave Of his
hand. Now what shall / call you?"
What you please.
Well we will say the plaintiff Now.
plaintiff, in the first place you would
have TO prove 90 the satisfaction of n
jury that this is your skeleton. We
deny that it Is yours
"Of course we do put i'm Smile
I'VE bought the body and John wired
it.
81 don't mean HaL The defense
takes the ground that this particular
skeleton is not the bones OF the plain
TIL, but the bones OF John w. Stodgers
deceased Now 10 would rest with YOU
10 prove that this was your skeleton
and as people are not In the habit of
having private mark ON fhcfr aLgIo.