Connecticut western news., 1886-07-28
The Undertaker's Story.

Perhaps l ann more sensitive to the horrible than most of my fellow men am, in fact, more easily wrought upon. At all events have fancied that at times, when have been telling this experience of mine, could detect certain indica- cations that some of my hearers were of ] tbat opinion; but have not yet so far failed in charity as to wish any of these scoffers put to similar test.
 had run over to Paris, had spent a couple of weeks in that bright city, and was on my way home again took night train from Dover to Lon don, and in the compartment which occupied there was but one other passen- ger-a sharp, intelligent. looking man, with very grave face. We got into conversation after travelling more than half the distance in that silence which is invariably adopted by Englishmen when they meet. After discussing general subjects remark of my companions led me to say that he seemed to have had a very wide experience, and among nearly ell classes of society.
 Yes," he answered slowly, and with marked hesitation. ''Yes, am an un- dertaker. have had good deal of ex- perience, and I have had my share, l think, of remarkable adventures. I never take this ride from Dover to Lon- don without very painful recollection of one such."
 We had stll nearly half hours ride before us, and his manner, as much as his words, aroused my interest.
 'sDo you care to tell ita' I asked.
 A quick, involuntary shudder gave to his voice slight trcmor, as he answered., 'I wish could keep from thinking of it, but I might as we'll tell it as sit here quaking il |ilence over the awful memory of iS He paused a monent, drew a long shuddering breath, and then he commenced:
 "A little over year ago what am about to relate happened to me- had established very good business, chiefly among the upper class of trade people though, of course, did not decline any call upon me that promised reasonable profit. received one day telegraphic despatch from Paris asking me to take charge of dead body that was to be sent from Paris to London for burial. was to meet it at Dover on the arrival ol tho night boat from Calais, and make all the arrangements for its further trans. portation by rail, and I was referred to q well-known banker as security for my expenses.
 "This looked like good business, So lost no time in getting the necessary per mits and went to Dover in the evening. had some details to atteni to there in order that everything might be in readi- ness and no time lost after the boat ar. rived. Then l had nothing to do but wait. l set up reading to keep myself awake.
 'It was g beautiful still night in the late fall, with an almost full moon, re- member; and the boat got in to time. received the box containing the body, and saw it placed in one of the luggage vans of the train; and in due course ar rived with it at Victoria station. One of my wagons was there waiting to take the  body to my place, where was instructed to keep it until the next morning, when the proper parties would call to make arrangements about the burial.
 So far of course, there was nothing specially remarkable about the affair. Il is little unusual in such cases not to find some one connecte1 with the dc ceased accompany the body: but hardly gave that matter second thought. had no doubt but that the right persons wonld appear later in the day. -
 'sWhen I got to ny shop, it stil lacked two hours of daylight, and, as felt no slight responsibility, I didn' think of going home, but made mysel : as comfortable as possible in my office fo the rest of the night. You must bear il mind that all the sleep had secured wa broken, uneasy slumber on the journe, from Dover to London, and when I wen to sleep in my chair, after stirring tn fire into blaze, slept very soundly- very soundly, that is, for awhile, for i was still dark when woke up in sud den and startling way.
 ''Have you ever wondered, :" the under taker asked, turning his eyes full upol mine for the first time since he had be gun his story, "what mysterious infu ence that is which makes you feel anothe presence in the same room as yourself though you hear no one and see no one It's queer feeling at any time, but don't know of any occasion when it ca seem more queer and awful thar when comes to man locked up in the dead 0 night. with nothing but black plume and grave-clothes and palls and coffin about him."
 He turned his eyes to the floor again and cold tremor crept through my ow Aesh in the brief and ominous pause Il