Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-06
to put away all thoughts of Sparling, and

to put away all thoughts of Sparling, and fix my mind on business.
 It would not do. The man who attempts to fight a battle with his conscience is al ways in the wrong, always sure of defeat. Moreover, that kind of a contest will eX- clude every thing else from his mind till it IS settled. When the train reached Cincin- nati I was conquered. Letting my baggage go on left the car, and in a fever of i'm patience walked the station until I could take a return train.
 From the probabilities of such occasions had settled it in my mind that Sparling would be buried on the afternoon of the third day from that of his death. Time-ta- bles were studied, conductors interrogated, and it was made certain that I ought in due course to reach home at three o'clock in the afternoon of that day.
 That would be a very close thing, I reflect ed. There would be, probably, only time for ne to take a carriage and join the pro- cession to the cemetery. Much distressed in mind, resolved to do this, if circum- stances admitted of nothing more.
 But even this poor privilege was denied me. There were maddenlng delays and detentiOns; it was not until midnight of the third day that I left the train at the home station.
 My state of mind admits of no descrip- tion feared to learn the truth; I would not inquire if the funeral had yet taken place. There were no carriages there at that hour and I walked alone through the deserted streets.
 There was a full moon and the gas lamps were not lighted. But the time was July, and the foliage often vailed the moonbeams
 The force of habit led me through the street where Sparling had lived. I would not think of calling at that untimely hour must learn the particulars of the funeral at home, but in my remorseful condition of mind 1t seemed to me the correct thing to do to walk slowly past the house of the mourning, and abase my soul before it.
 AS neared the gate saw tall figure leaning on it. The form and the attitude were so familiar to me as to strike me through with terror halted abruptly.
 The face was slowly turned toward me- It looked white in the vague moonlight; pale and very sorrowful. It was Sparing's
 grew cold from head to foot. With what little strength was left me I tried to cross the street.
 A timorous glance back over my shoulder showed mo that it was following me. Swift ly, straight it came after me- could have prayed for wings to fly with me away from the terrors of that place.
 It-what name could I give that thingg- | overlook me. The pale countenance still looked reproachful, rebukeful. For Gods sake, Ezra,'' I cried, don't come back and haunt me! was wrong, but you know I have tried-''
 A smile broke over the sad face; so like his smile. In the sudden revulsion of my feelings tainted
 X Somebody famed me with a hat. Iopened my eyes; it was leaning over me.
 "Now what's the matter, Joe2' familiar voice cheerfully inquired. "I thought you were off for the South three days ago. And what dye mean by lodging away from me in th1s fashion!'
 sat up.
 Ezra" sa d, grasping his hands in sol emn joy, ''you have come back to me as one from the grave"
 "Ho! You heard thec false alarm, did you! Nothing but ridiculous newspaper mistake, founded on the death of poor old Bunting, next door, who's been dying fo1 two or three years. I couldn't sleep this hot night, sol came out here to get some air. Now you're back and find me alive hadn't you better put off your trip till the weather cools ?'- James FrdnkIi1 FVtts, i,a T,l | ter Ocean.