Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-04
DEATHS SHADOW;
IHE FATAL WARNIN @.

When was divinity student at the Uni
versity my most intimate friend was jarvis
Blair, whom | loved with the devotion OF
brother.
There was one subject. however. that We
frequently discussed, and which was great
cause OF discussion. He believed that de-
parted spirits sometimes returned, while
dlscreedited such 9, possibility. when was
about 70 leave college he brought up the
old discussion again and promised TO prove
the truth of his belief by coming TO me
should he die first.
We separated from that dsv and | only
heard of him by letter. Then married and
settled down. In the postscript of one of
his letters read this:
My Dear ----: You may see me sooner
than you think. / intend to visit Vir-
glnia."
was greatly pleased and 50 was my wife,
for had talked to her of JARVIS very often.
In expectation of his coming she now fur
nlshed our spare room, and one day called
me TO look at it.
DO you think Jarvis will like it?" she
asked.
How could he help it?" l answered,
kissing her d" Your hospitality Is some
thing he viii appreciate, you dear little
Virginia woman. even If he does not I'M
derstand the beauty of the chintz and the
delicacy Of the embroidery on the pillow
cases.
Ny wife was contented.
However. we waited two or three weeks.
and heard no more of Jarvis Blair.
One Saturday night it occurred TO me to
add something TO my sermon. felt that |
had not quite expressed M thought. My
wife retired early and the children were al
ways safe in bed at 9 o'clock. | heard old
| Mlnty fastening up the shutters and alter
wards creak up the stairs 20 q little attic
bedroom she had. and sam. her son. with
the small boy, Bill. We're whistling their
way to their sleeping-place IN tho coach
house.
All was very quiet except for an occa-
sional shrek Of the tram. There was a
station less than mile away. and | was
writing rapidly, when q sudden impulse
made me turn my head. and | law JARVIS
Blair standing IN the doorway
lie had arrived and been admitted by
Jim without my knowledge thought, and
] was about 10 rush toward him, but found
myself incapable Of moving.
For his part noticed now that he was
| curiously pale.
James, you believe it now, don't you?"
he asked.
"What?n gasped
This" lie said. " [ am not dead yet. but
am gong 20 die. | have slipped ont OF the
BODY. They think me asleep but can re
| turn 10 it for little while. | was on nv
way to see you but at Richmond fell i'll. II
you travel fest you may reach Richmond
before die"
| He was gone.
A horror possessed me that I never felt
| before IN al my life and rushed away e
nv room. leaving the sermon on the table
and inv lamp still burning.
| In, tb. morning ! told nv wife of thu
event.
- know it was anightmarv now" said
| but 10 seemed very real 10 me-
To my surprise she answered.
My dear, think you must 20 to Rich
mond at once"
AT once?" | said. why this is Sunda,
morning"
Nv dear James" she said, Mr. Garne
will preach at any time for YOU" (Mr
| Garner WAS an old clergyman who was TOT
! feeble 90 take charge OF "A church, but wh'
! liked to be called upon to read sermon a
times. He was our neighbOr.l
She took out her watch. called jim, ant
gent him with u note to the Carriers. Al
answer was returned at once:
The thing Is done now" she said. Go
my dear The train starts IN twent
minutes. The carriage Is 1T the door. ii
get lift from somebody
This IS preposterous,' ] SAID.
Ny dear husband" She answered
there Is no doubt in nv mind that you
dying friend has called YOU"
| According, was on my way 10 Rich
| moud in half an hour. | felt ashamed O
myself, but after all if nothing came Of
knew The secret would be between kltt
| and myself.
When the train reached Richmond
alighted and took my way straight TO tn
| hotel where travellers from the North usu
ally stopped. The clerk was an old &C
quaintance of mine.
How do you do, sir?n he called to mt
! advanced. aud with o curious feeling G
certc'nty that the reply would be in tn
affirmative. said;
" am told 4 friend Of mine, DIR. jarv
Blair. Is here. is that SOP"
"los. sir, :" he answered grayely, " but
an sorry to say he Is very, very Ill.
- should like TO see him." | said.
The clerk called waiter, who led M
along the halls and up the stairs until
reached a certain room. on the door ,
which he raped softly. A nurse opene
the door. To my whispered inquiry sh
"Going fast
And entering saw my old friend ono
more. living motionless on has pillow. hi
eyes closed. his face pale rs IN my VISION
the night before.
" He may not awaken again." said th
nurse, but we thought him gone las
night and he returned" She paused an
gave mo a peculiar half-frightened smile
at seemed like u return rather than a
awakening she added.
Perhaps it was" said.
Tn tears filled my eyes. ] took my dea
friends hand and touched my lips to 1t.
closed on mine and his eyes opened.
james" he said. " that wife of yours
a GOOD creature. Tell her | am glad sh
hurried you, or else should not have see
you again. God bless you-and me-"
With these words on his lips he closed hl
eyes again. This time he never returned
| have had no more experience Of the sor'
hut never scott at those Of others now
| however imDOssiblcthey may seem.