Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-10-24

you," said Wentworth. "Tom this il
-a-ah-gentleman who claims to be
the original possessor of this skel
eton."
"Ah-dispute as to the ownership
eh ?"
aThat tendency" answered Went
worth. "He is, in fact, a-weli, a
ghost"
"A what?'
@The gentleman has been dead for
some time put in Smile, the task OF
explaining having seemingly got be-
yond Wentworth. "And while alive
this was his skeleton"
"Oh, come now, Smile, what are
you giving us p
"Fact," said Smile @Just tossed
this ruler through him. Try it."
Fulmer hesitated.
alt will perhaps convince you quick
er than anything else and don't neon
| venience me in the least" said the
apparition.
Fulmer tossed the ruler, with the
same result as before. He was very
short sighted and he adjusted his
eyeglasses and peered across the
table at the ghost, who stood lmpass-
lively as he had done from the first.
"I say, Wentworth, strike light,
will you"
Wentworth lit the large lamp that
stood on top of the bureau. The
ghost appeared an ordinary-lociking
man, dressed as any man might be.
Falmer, with corrugated brow, gazed
at him while Smile ana Wentworth
felt sort 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 in the bright light, seemed
to beam in benevolent way on its
former owner.
@Sit down." said Fulmer. Il hate
to talk to -person-standlng.
The specter sat down.
"Now, what use is this skeleton to
you ?' began the young lawyer, his
professional instinct getting the better
of his amazement.
"That, if you will pardon me, is no
ones business, but my own. | may
say | want it placed whore | will
know where to lind it--or | may sly |
that don't choose to have it remain
here, the subject OF scofiag aud
contumely."
aOh, you're wrong there said |
Wentworth. @We both have the
greatest respect for John w. lie is a
guide, philosopher and friend--as well !
as instructor"
"Just let me handle this case" said
Fulmer, with a backward wave of bis
hand. "Now what shall call your"
"What you please"
"Well, we will say the plaintiff
Now, plaintiff, in the first place you
would have to prove to the satisfaction
of jury that this is your skeleton.
We deny that it is yours"
sOf course we do" put i'll Smile. |
"We bought the body and John wired
it."
II don't mean that. The defense
takes the ground that this particular
skeleton Is not the bones of the plain
tiff, but the bones Of John w. Stod-
gers, deceased. Now it would rest
with you to prove that this was your
skeleton, and as people are not in the
habit of having private mark on
their skeletons, | hatter myself we
would have YOU right ut the begin
ming of the case.
"You are a very young lawyer,
replied the ghost, with sort OF Il post
mortem sneer.. "If you examine the
teeth of that skeleton you will find the
one ON the left lower side next the
back filled with silver, and, if neces-
sary, | can tell your intelligent jury
the sort OF cap that is under the sill
yer to cover the nerve that once WAS
there"
All the young men looked at ]. W.,
who, as if enjoying the point made by
its other self, suddenly slicked down
its law and beamed on Fulmer with
its silent laugh Wentworth took up
the lamp and looked at the lower
jaw.
eyes, Falmer" he said, %that's So"
"Well, we'll waive that point-we'il |
waive that point" said the young law
yer, with Unaffected airiness.
II think you might rs well,7 said the
ghost, dryly.
aBut the real nub of the case would
be in this: Can man once dead lay
claim to any part of the property he
owned while alive? / don't recolleet
any parallel case to yours exactly, bat
1 have some knowledge Of the statutes
of Michigan" this modestly, "and |
think all the tendencies of law would
be against you. When man is dead
there is no question but that his next
OF kin have the right to crenate, to
embalm or to bury his body. They /
might sell it, imagine, although that
is rarely done IN first-class society.
Now the point | would make before a
Jury would be-"
Il have no wish to discuss law with
you. / have demanded The skeleton [
and propose to have it whether you |
are willing or not"
@Just write that down, boys" said i
Fulmer. 4He hints at burglary" Ia
See here" said Wentworth, you are s
not the man we dissected. | believe
you're a fraud"
@Do you ?" returned the ghost. "Tll [
convince you in order to save myself
further trouble / can take any ones
Torm. For instance, that OF a rising {
LAWYER" And with that the figure be- {
lore them was an exact counterpart of
Young Fulmer. The next instant the I
ghost was himself again. Z
"By joye" said Smile, @what a splen- {
lid lightning change artist he would I
make" ia
sSay," said Fulmer, @what would you ]
AXE for night in the big hallY You s
could personate the head of the Uni :
Tersity and sing i want to be an angel
With splendid effect. s
II am in no mood for cnaf,s said the 2