Mohave County miner., 1888-11-24
70 pu. away all thoughts Of ssArliss, sa4

70 put away oil thoughts Of DSAsiiSg, aaA
az my mind on busiaess.
II would noe %. The man who stsempGd
70 fight batGD with bis conscience 10 al.
ways In the wrong, always sure II defeat.
Moreover, that kind Of contest will ex.
cluds every thing else from his mind till IL
n settled. When the train reached Cincin-
nsts was conquered. Letting my baggage
10 on left the car, and In fever OF i'm.
patience walked the station until could
take return train.
From the probabilities Of such occasions
had settled II In nay mind thst bparling
would be turied on the afternoon OF the
third day from that OF his death. Time-tar
bles were studied, conductors interrogated,
and IL was made certain that ought In due
course TO reach home Ut three o'clock In the
afternoon Of that day.
That would be very close thing, reflect
ed. There would be, probably, only time
for me TO take carriage and join the pro
cession TO the cemetery. Much distressed
Ia mind, resolved 10 do this, IL circum
stances admitted Of nothing more.
But even this poor privilege was denied
me. There were naddcning delays and
detentions; IL was not until midnight OF the
third day that left the train at the home
station.
Ny state OF mind admits of no descrip.
ton. i feared 10 learn the truth; / would
not inquire IL the funeral had yet taken
place. There were no carriages there at
that hour and ] walked alone through the
deserted streets.
There was 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 6pariing had lived. / would
not think OF calling at that untimeiy hour.
Unjust learn the particulars Of the funeral
ut home, but In my remorseful condition of
mind II seemed TO me the correct thing 70
do 10 walk slowly past the house OF the
mourning, and abase my soul before it.
As neared the gate saw q tall figure
leaning on II. The forra and the attitude
were 30 familiar TO me as 30 strife me
through with terror. halted abruptly.
The face was slowly turned toward me-
It looked white In the vague moonlight; pale
and very sorrowfuL II was Sparling's
I Igrew cold from bead TO foot With what
little strength was left me tried TO cross
the street.
A timorous glance back over my shoulder
showed me that II 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 give that thingi--
overlook me. The pale countenance still
looked reproachful, rebukeful.
"For Gods sake, Ezra" I cried, don't
come back and haunt met was wrong, but
you know have tried ~
A smile broke over the sad face; 20 like
his smile. In the sudden reyuision Of my
feelings tainted.
Somebody famed me with q hat. Iopened
my eyes; IL was leaning over me.
Now what's the matter, Joeln familiar
voice cheerfully inquired. 81 though. you
were OF for the South three days ago And
wha, dye mean by dodging away from me
In this fashionl' .-
sat up. ..s ~
Ezra said, grasping his hands In sol
emn 10Y, you have come back to me ~ one
from the grave"
"Ho! You heard the false alarm, did
youf Nothing but ridiculous newspaper
mistake, founded On the death Of poor old
Bunting, next door, who's been dying for
two or three years. ! couldn't sleep this
hot night, so came out here to get some
air Now you're back and find me alive,
hadn't you better put Of your trip till the
weather coolsf'-- James Franklin Fitts, In IN.
ter Occdn.