The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-03-12
CHATTER TX.
DICK FINDS HIMSELF FAMOUS.


"But declare to you most solemnly.
that the last thing | remember as felt
myself plunging headlong into the bot
tomless abyss, was the dcspairing cry
of n human soul. a heart-broken wall
from mortal lips, which made an indel-
ible impression upon me, even at that
terrible momentln declared Dick, as he
lay prOpped up by innumprable pillows
in the funeral fOur-poster, which lent
an air at once forbidding and imposing
to the spacious guest-chamber at Bleak
House. a cheerful fire blaZed upon the
hearth; the lamps were lighted; round
about his bed in various graceful atti-
tudes of abandon his three sisters con-
gregated, each gazing with flushed
cheeks and wide-Open wondering eyes
at that idolized brother who, second
time within r-and-twenty hours, had
been snatched well-nigh miraculously
from the jaws OF death, and restored to
their embrace with the strength and
vigor of his manhood unimpaired. For
the evening now grew late, and Dick,
fter the usual course of restorative
assures had been adopted, tossed
about like a lion refreshed, in his luXu-
rious bed. declaring himself half-Ctis-
posed to get up and dress, and sally
forth anew, skates in hand, to conclude
the nights interrupted sport; whilst
his sisters clustered round him, 10th TO
tear themselves away one moment be-
fore the baronet's brougham was an
nounced to bear them home-it having
been decided that Dick should spend
the night in his present quarters, rath-
er than risk the dangerous possibility
of chill.
Don't be ridiculous. Dick, " returned
EntA AZ
paused after the delivery of this last
speech. II think the moment is ill
timed for testing; leyity is altogether
incongruous under the circumstances,
and
do you know, Dick" interrupted
Edie in mysterious tones, drawing
nearer, and laying her fair head on the
pillow next her brothers, that you
will 90 henceforth by the name of The
Haunted Mani for Dawkins, the gar
dener, is sure to compare notes at the
Pig and Whistle with the carriers, over
friendly glass; and really there is no
discrepancy in their evidence the state
ments of one and all coincide to quite
extraordinary degree
II am not testing, girls, swear!n re-
turned Dick impatiently. II was jok-
ing, | admit, on Christmas Eve, but
now speak gospel-truth. At the very
moment of my fall | heard yoice-a
not far distant human voice-a single
cry, whether of warning or commisera-
| ton can scarcely tell, yet so distinct
and unmistakable, that it made an inns
| preston even then upon mind and ear
/ alike. Nell. you tell me-you appear
| the most reliable spokeswoman of the
three-exactly what cOck-and-bull story
these fellows have got hold of; for, as
/ you say. it seems not at all unlikely
shall be hencefOrth eyed askance, If not
altogether Stunned, as that undesirable
notoriety, popularity dubbed the haunt
ed manln
"Well," began Nell with an air of
some Importance, not altogether unbe-
coming, seeing she was appealed to as
a "reliablen authority by tile mystiiied
invalid; lit seems that Jack Dawkins
and his wife were sitting at supper
when the door flew open according To
their story revealing a slender girlish
figure, standing motionless on the
THRESHOLD Dick Mt this juncture vain
ly strove to repress smile, for Nell,
unconsciously, rose with the occa-
sion,n adopting a singularly impressive
and melodramatic style, suited to the
supernatural character of the events il
was her duty to narrate. For mo.
ment she did not speak, they say, but
pointed with one hand over her shout,
der, Jack springing to his feet awed ant
terrified, for they declare her face wai
white and quite unearthly, her hail
hanging weirdly round her. TheT
presently she gasped, "A man drowning
In the lake under the ice, not twenty
yards from your door. Go at once Il
the rescue-go at oncel or words to tha
effect" Nell corrected herself, desir
Gus seemingly of being quite veracious
can't altogether initiate that Well, a
1t happened, his nephew was outside il
the back garden choppilg wood AM