The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-05-09

as it replied:
"For PHYS sake, don't refuse me; think
of the disgrace and suffering you will bring
on the innocent if you persist. After all,
its trifing matter to you"
"Is it?" I said to myself, rejecting on
the difficulty of bringing back his scattered
remains to their original form; but to him
I only replied more decidedly:
"My minds made up; refuse distinctly
to give you any such help"
On hearing these words Mr.. Sugg's spirit
uttered low cry of despair, and then, as I
judged, began to fly rapidly from one end
of the room to the other, wailing forth,
''My poor body where's my body?"
When this performance had lasted for
some time I lost my temper. "Come,
come" l said, ''you know you can't go on
like this all night"
The voice was silent for an instant, and
the next words were spoken from beside
the fire. sOh, can't II" it said, "Just
listen p and thereupon it gave utterance to
shrek SO weird and shrill that in spite of
myself I shook with fear
''For heavens sake, cried, "don't do
that again, or you'll drive me mad"
If spirits can chuckle, certain I am that
Mr.. Sugg's did SO then. "Oh, that's moth
ing, it observed, ~ was only clearing my
throat
The mere thought of having the sound
repeated made me turn cold. "Look here, "
[ FASTENED to say, eff you'll promise to be
| o,,io+ TIL foil Won ha tri1 RI, ~
every we'll" replied Sugg, 'Ipromise. "
II can't give you back your body" |
went on, "because I've already disposed of
it"
"Whatp' almost shouted my visitor;
''you've done what with it ?"
II do not think you quite understand
me-" l said in pacifying tone; "when |
use the words disposed of I do not mean
that | have bartered it for money. You
know couldn't keep it here, and so-well,
the fact is, I burned it to ashes in the fur
mace"
The groan which escaped from Mr.. Sugg
really moved me to pity. "But surely" |
suggested, happy thought striking me,
s'there must be plenty of vacant bodies
about why not make use of one of them?"
"Ah, you don't understand" he replied
despairingly; ITO do so 1 must have the
owners consent, and that's not easy; be-
sides, the time is too short,
"Well, I'm sorry | can't help you any
further" I observed, wishing to bring the
conversation to close; "you see we're at
a deadlock"
Mr.. Sugg was silent for minute, and
then in more hopeful voice he suddenly
said "Ah, but you can, if you will. y
"Well, if I can" 1 replied doubtfully,
''you may depend upon it that will.
''You can lend me your body
"Gracious heavens, cried, "what a
suggestion You must take me for mad
man to imagine I'd do such thing
But it was clear, on the contrary, that
Mr.. Sugg had every confidence in my san
ity, for he quickly showed that unless l
Welded he had it in his power to drive me
completely out of my senses. Moreover,
he claimed the fulfllment of the promise
that | would help him if | could.
1t was useless to point to the impractical
bility of the plan. IF | consented, he ar
gued, there was no difficulty about it. For
this he made himself personally response
BILE.
"But suppose" objected, "you went
off with my body and never came back.
What guarantee have for your return p
He answered in an injured tone, "What-
ever I may have been in the flesh, you need
have no fear of my breaking faith with
you. Spirits never lie"
Possibly not, I thought but could l be
equally sure of my own tongue even with
so truthful mentor behind it? However
l considered it as well not to express this
doubt.
"You promise, them" I said, ''to be
here again by six in the morning and to
vacate my body at once? ?"
II pledge you my word of honor" he
answered.
Whereupon, wearied by his importantly
/ gave reluctant assent to the proposal.
How the change was effected [ cannot
tell but Immediately after [ found myself
floating about in midair, with an uneasy
sense of being incompletely clothed. Al
the same time l noticed my body pacing
the room with every appearance of life.
"Thank you," said Mr.. Sugg, making
use of my mouth to speak the words and
turning to the table on which had placed
the contents of his pockets; II see my
KEYS are here this will save me all trouble
in getting what l want. And now, an re-
Uoir.
zone moment, Mr.. Sugg," cried, as he
walked toward the door; "before you 60
will you kindly put on some Goals +? Don't
spare them. It certainly is chilly tonight.
He replied with an irritating laugh. q
told the truth, you see But as the Goals
are your own, don't grudge the expense.
After doing as | had requested he quilted
the room, leaving me prey to host Of
doubts and evil forebodings.
/ am not concerned to relate in wha
manner spent the night. Certainly it wa'
the most uncomfortable / ever passed
apart from the physical-if [ may use the
discomfort of the position. wal
tormented with the thought that Mr.. Sugs
would not perform his part of the agree
r ment. The very idea sent thrill OF hor
TOT through my suduomy lidHS'
My relief, therefore, was intense when,
little before six, the door opened and my
body entered the room. 1t looked pal'
5 and tired, but this did not surprise me, as
my habits are methodical, and | have
always shown to my person the creates
consideration. even to over-indulgence
As it sank YEARLY into the easy chair
} said
4 "Well, | hope you've arranged every
t thing satisfactorily"
3 "Quite, returned Mr.. Sugg; "and now
t sir, I'm ready to change places with yol
again Your throat seems to have con
tracted a slight hoarseness, probably from
exposure to the night air, but with ordinar.
care you'll soon get rid of that.
| ''Thank you, | replied, "I'll see that i
has every attention" Scarcely were tn
3 words uttered before | found myself, some
what to my establishment, reinstated in my
old position.
"Good bye" said Mr.. Sugg's voic
: from the further end of the room. g
shan't forget your kindness" And then
n | suppose, he vanished up the chimney 0
: through the keyhole, for l know no NOR
: of him.