Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
AN UNDERTAKES TALE.
A. Horrible Story with a Most
Distressing End

Perhaps I am more sensitive to the
horrible than most of my fellow-men-
am, in fact, more easily wrought upon.
At all events [ have fancied that 1T
times, when have been telling this
experience of mine, could detect GER
tain indications that some of my
hearers were of that opinion; but l
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 spenta
couple of weeks in that bright city and
was on my way home again. took a
night tram from Dover to london, and
in the compartment which / occupied
there was but one other passenger-a
sharp. intelligent-looking man, with
very grave face. We got into CONVEX
sation after travelling more than half
the distance in that silence which is in
variably 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 all classes of society.
Yes" he answered, slowly and with
q marked hesitation. Eyes, lam an
undertaken. l have had a good deal of
experience and have lad my share, l
think, of remarkable adventures. l
never take this ride from Dover to
London without a very painful recol-
lection of one SUCH"
We had still nearly a half-hour's
ride before us, and his manner, as well
as his words, reused my interest.
''DO you care to tell it?'' l asked.
A quick, involuntary shudder gave
to his voice slight tremor, as he an
swered: Il wish 1 could keep from
thinking of it, but 1 might as well tell
it as sit here quaking in silence over
the awful memory of it." He paused
a moment, drew long shuddering
breath. and then commenced:
"A little over year ago what am
about to relate happened to me. I had
established a very good business, chiefly
among the upper class OF trades-people
Though, of course, did not decline
any call upon me that promised a rea-
sonable profit. l received one day a
Geographic dispatch from Paris, asking
me to take charge of dead body that
was to be sent from Paris to London for
burial Twas to meet it at Dover on
the arrival of the night boat from
Calais, and make all the arrangements
for its further transportation by rail,
and l was referred to wellknown
banker as security for my expenses.
This looked like good business, 50 l
lost no time in getting the necessary
permits, and went to Dover in the ev-
ening. l had some details to attend
to there, in order that every thing
might be in readiness, and no time lost
after the boat arrived. Then l had
nothing to do but wait. l sat up read
ing to keep myself awake.
at was beautiful, still night, in
the late fall, with an almost full moon,
/ remember. 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 arrived with it Mt Victoria
Station. One of my wagons was there,
where ! was instructed to keep it until
the next morning, when the proper
parties would call to make arrange
ments about the burial. So far, of
course, there was nothing specially re-
markable about the affair. 1t is lit
tie unusual in such cases not to find
some one connected with the deceased
accompanying the body. but hardly
gave that matter second thought !
had no doubt but that the right persons
would appear later in the day. When
got to my shop it still lacked about
two hours of daylight and as felt no
slight responsibility didn't think of
going home, but made myself as COM
Portable as possible in my Office for the
rest of the nj ght. You must bear in
mind that all the sleep 1 had secured
was a broken, uneasy slumber on the
Journey from Dover to London and
when l went to sleepin my chair. after
stirring the fire into a blaze. slept
very soundly-very soundly, that is.
for awhile, for it was still dark when
woke up in q sudden and startling
way.
Have you ever wondered" the
undertaken asked, turning his eyes full
upon mine for the first time since he
had begun his story, what mysterious
influence that is which makes you feel
another presence in the same room as
yourself, though you hear no one and
see no one? It's a queer feeling at any
time, but don't know of any occasion
when it can seem more queer and awful
than when it comes to a man locked up
in the dead of night with nothing but
black plumes and grave-clothes and
pals and collins about him."
He turned his eyes to the floor again
and q cold tremor crept through my
own flesh in the brief and ominous
paused he made before he went on in .
lower voice.
THAT was the feeling I had when !
suddenly woke from sound sleep to full
consciousness with chilling shudder
of horror. I was sitting before the fire.
place, with my back to the door that
led from the Office to the shop. I had