The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-07-02

should get hold of it, 1 would be the
laughing stock ef-"
Jupiter"
MIR. Pevensey stared. "You don't
mean to say you live on the planet
Jupiterp" he asked.
The ghost nodded. .sYes we do"
said he, taking a long pull at his cigar.
Mr.. Pevensey sank back again, merely
'.Well, I'm bowed"
"You see." explained the ghost, 'it's
this way: You die and go to Jupiter;
then when your time comes you return
to the earth and live over again; now, l
was Ossian once, you know"
"Ossian!" exclaimed MI. Pevensey,
astonished. ''Then who have / 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 questioner became impatient.
.1Of course, 1 don't expect have been
an Ossian; l was probably some humble
citizen, or perhaps al 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 a most re-
markable piece of intelligence. but he
also regarded it as an evasion of the
question.
mo matter where 1 lived" he said:
care you going to tell me who l wasp"
IF you must know. I'll tell you. You
were a crook-a disreputable character
YOU know-used to live where the
future Mrs. P. does now-got. killed in
a drunken brawl, and died in ahospital.
There; you would have it, Pen; if you
don't like it it's not my fault; 1 didn't
intend to tell you"
MI. 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 a position directly before
Pembroke, said in a deep bass: ''You
are a 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 a perfect
brute. Your wife died in poverty, and
your daughter took to the stage. You
don't believe ftp 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
Jet me see-thirty years ago.
Mr.. Pevensey began to reflect that he
was powerless to harm his visitor and
retreated to his chair, where he med
itated 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, .Ill do it,"
mo sooner were the words spoken
than MI. Pevensey was alone, gazing
about in wonderment and pinching
himself to make sure that he was not
dreaming or. in a trance. After this
proceeding he uttered divers exclama
tions expressive of his astonishment,
and then relapsed into silence. The
rain still continued. and the clock was
as perverse as aver in its efforts to Guido
its outside rival; in short, the same in
fuences that had brought the semi
sleep on Mr.. Pevensey before, were at
work again, and ere long he was nod
ding. oppressed by a 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 sur shone forth on muddy streets
and dripping caves. sending a 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 1 come here?" he muttered.
''Bill's dive-the fight-the knife-a
white room with cots-well, blow mel
This last exclamation was called forth
by the discovery of his W gold watch
and chain. "Ain't she a beautyP" he
asked himself, taking it out and exam
lining it closely. THE Hooker must
come down handsome for that-hand-
some! Where did 1 get such fly togs,
anyhow" he continued. surveying him.
self with %unbounded delight and ad.
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 a hoarse
whisper and accompanied by furtive
chances 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
tenfold. He began to think he had
been transported to another city.
"Them poles with wires-what are
they for?" he asked of a passer-by.
The man regarded him with amaze.
ment. tapped his forehead significantly,
and passed on without answering. Mr.
Pevensey was dumfounded. Was he in
the spirit worldP Had that last Draw
been the cause of his demise? 1t seemed
likely; and yet no; there was the name
of his street; he would seek his owr
house, and have an explanat on of the
affair. Yes, there it was at last. Il
had not changed, at least; the same
| steps, the same door were there that he
remembered leaning against so otter
late at night. and observing the two
whirling lamp-posts on the corner HI
assembled the steps. and tried the door
Not up yet. He must ring. At thu
summons a step was heard in the hall
way, and a sleepy servant peered GU
from the half-opened door.
80, it's you, is it, MI. Pevenseyp'
said James.
mo" said MI. Pevensey, sit ain
me, is it? Now, my fine Teller, will yo,
tell me wot yer adoin' in my house
heyp"