Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-09-16

| MI. ItVcuScy btuk DdCk again, iutTtly
remarking, well, I'm bowed"
"You see." explained the ghost, ''it's
this way; You die and go to Jupiter;
then whea your time comes you return
to tho earth and live over again; now, i
was Ossian once. you know"
"Ossianr' exclaimed Mr.. Pcvensey,
astonished. s'Then who have l been;
who was lastP"
The ghost was evidently embarrassed
by this question. He looked at Mr..
Pevensey, then at the fire. and knocked
the ashes off his cigar, but did not an
swer. His questloner became impatient.
"Of course, don't expect have been
an Ossian; was probably some humble
citizen, or perhaps an honest artisan. "
This was said as an encouragement and
a starting-point for his Wis. avis.
"You used to live where she does
now-Miss Emory, you know"
Mr.. Pevensey thought this most re-
markable piece of intelligence, but he
also regarded it as an evasion of the
question.
'No matter where lived" he said;
"are you going to tell me who wasp
IF you must know, I'll tell you. You
/ u ,
you know-used to live where the
future Mrs. p. does now-got killed in
drunken brawl, and died in ahospital.
There; you would have it, Pen; if you
don't like it it's not my fault; l didn't
intend to tell you"
Mr.. Pevensey during this speech
gradually assumed an expression that
BODIED no good to his transparent guest.
When the latter had finished he arose,
and, taking position directly before
Pembroke, said in deep bass: "You
are liar!''
The ghost leered at Mr.. Pevensey in
a manner most provoking to the latter's
dignity, and then said calmly: "You
used to treat your wife and daughter
shamefully, Pen; you were perfect
brute. Your wife died in poverty, and
your daughter took to the stage. You
don't believe itp Well, I'll tell you
what Ill do; just to convince you, I'll
give you something that will cause you
to see people and things as you used to
do-put you back where you were about
let me see-thirty years ago."
Mr.. Pevensey began to reflect that he
was powerless to harm his visitor and
retreatcd to his chair, where he med
itatcd in silence for some minutes on
this singular proposition. At length
curiosity to learn of his former existence
got the better of his scruples, and, look
ing up to the expectant ghost, he ex-
claimed, "I'll do it!''
"NO sooner were the words spoken
than Mr.. Pevensey was alone, gazing
about in wonderment and pinching
himself to make sure that he was not
dreaming or in trance. After this
proceeding he uttered divers exclama.
tons expressive of his astonishment,
and then relapsed into silence. The
| rain still continued, and the clock was
as perverse as ever in its efforts to Guido
its outside rival; in short, the same in
| fluences that had brought the semi
sleep on Mr.. Pevensey before, were at
| work again, and ere long he was nod
ding, oppressed by strange feeling of
lethargy that made him utterly oblivious
to his surroundings and to the flight of
time. The fire burned lower and lower
and the clock chimed twelve. The
morning hours dragged on, and at last
the sun shone forth on muddy streets
and dripping caves, sending q ray in at
the window full on the slumberer's face.
He opened his eyes slowly and gazed
about him with an expression of aston
ishment. Slowly he rose from his chair
and walked to the window.
'How did come here?" he muttered.
"Bills dive-the fight-the knife-a
white room with cots-well, blow mer'
This last exclamation was called forth
by the discovery of his own gold watch
and chain. "Aint she beautyp" he
asked himself, taking it out and exam
lining it closely. 1.-THE Hooker must
come down handsome for that-hand-
some! Where did get such fly togs,
anyhow" he continued. surveying him
self with unbounded delight and adj
miration. "But, l say, I've been asleep,
though-and, what's more, right here
in this festive mansion. There's some
mystery here-some dark and awful
mystery.
This last was uttered in hoarse
whisper and accompanied by furtive
glances around the room; nothing pre-
senting itself in any way explaining his
situation, he stole cautiously out into the
hall, seized his hat, hurriedly unlocked
the door, and passed out into the street.
His bewilderment was now increased
senfold. He began to think he had
been transported to another city.
Them poles with wires-what are
they forp" he asked of passer-by.
The man regarded him with amaze
ment, tapped his forehead significantly,
and passed on without answering. Mr..
Pcvensey was dumfounded. Was he in
the spirit worldP Had that last brawl
been the cause of his demisep 1t seemed
likely; and yet no; there was the name
Of his street; he would seek his own
house, and have an explanation of the
affair. Yes, there it was at last. 1t
had not changed, at least; the same
steps, the same door were there that he
remembered leaning against so often
late at night, and observing the two
whirling lamp-posts on the corner. He
assembled the steps and tried the door.
Not up yet He must ring At the
summons step was heard in the hall
way, and sleepy servant peered out
from the half-opened door.
20, it's you, is it, Mr.. Pevensey"
said James.
NO" said Mr. Pevensey, cit amt
me. is itp Now, my fine feller will you
tell me wot yer adoin' in my house,
hcyp"
James was astonished. Mr.. Pevensey,
receiving no answer, thrust the man
aside, marched past him and entered
the parlor. He was past being aston
ished now, and simply regarded the
furniture Of the room with mild wonder.
"rll just wait here till somebody
comes; and then, may be, the deuce
WON'T be to pay; o, no!''
He could hear footsteps and whisper
ings in another room. Evidently James
had aroused the household. After
some time the door was timidly opened,
ahd Miss Emory pecped in. Seeing Mr..
Pevensey, she rushed in and, flinging
herself upon him, said. Historically:
30, Penny! what is it; what has hap
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