The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1891-11-20
A SPECTRAL PEDAGOGUE.

Walls OlOOd on the ped ana q pool OF
blood here on the floor the body on
the diViaa with the cash in the throat.
the razor in the right hand and these
samples scattered over the floor"
LEFT no note or letters that would
throw any light upon the sub. ect?"
Nothing" replied the hotel clerk.
except the order book on the man
tel these letters from his house and
this sealed envelope on the table"
Open the envelope and read its
co ntents" said the coroner, 1T may
give US a clue"
Tho clerk broke the seal and read
the following:
Il had returned to my native viii
lage after many years OF absence. TO
spend my vacation among the haunts
and scenes OF my boyhoOd DAYS where
/ had hoped 10 get a respite from
business cares in the worlds mad rush
for gold. But nlasi time and the
greed of man had wrought many
changes on my native heath; new AMI
strange faces stared at me as l wan
dered sOrrowfully through the streets
where on every side modern designed
structures had supplanted the humble
homes OF the long ago. The creek.
whose crystal waters started from the
wooded hills far to the east was now
but a dry landmark. and the spot
where had stood the aforementioned
water mill whose pOndecous over
shot wheel turned in tuneful time to
the wild music OF the fretful waters.
was unmarked. save fast decaying
remnant OF the old oak mud-sill.' On
the hill II rNat.anH civ nj
stone and read
The mills of Time grind slowly,
But surely the Cycles roll
And they even demand of the miller
That measure of immortal toll
Living in the past l slowly re-
viewed the scene before me- The set
ting Gun was kissing the erstwh1e
wooded hills, where In days gone by |
had sauntered with my sweetheart,
and carved her name on the smooth.
gray bark OF the giant beach The
hills were now barren Of forest trees
Nand In their place were fields of waving
o@s<fNg---s---yrS -'-----
IN The vast panorama before me
but one familiar sight greeted my
eager eyes-'twas the village school
house Litigation in chancery' had
stayed the hand OF progress. and the
old frame building was the sole relic
Of the past AS one who rushes to
meet friend among strangers scaled
the mOss-grown rock wall that en-
vIroned the unkempt grounds and
stood with uncovered head and tear
full eyes beside tho ancient structure.
Along the brown walls / saw familiar
names of old schoolmates cut deep in
the weather beaten boards - names.
some OF which are now cut high on
the Temple OF Fame-names. many of
which are now traced in sacred men,
ory' on cold marble. Here the name
of my dearest chum. here the name
OF my young hearts rival. here the
name OF my schoolday sweetheart
Mary. lovely. beautiful Mary, whose
girlish charms made her queen among
the village lads. Oh, trusting. con-
fding. credulous lass. the memory OF
your love and the rash. sinful act OF
my young manhood. have haunted me
through these many years and blasted
the happiness OF two lives
With such memories of the I'M
pleasant past crOwding fast upon the
present a strange feeling possessed
me- my senses seemed to leave mel
passed into q trance
Come TO books. heard a strange
ly familiar voice call | looked aud
beheld standing on the threshold the
ghostly figure OF the old teacher.
Come TO books" he repeated. and
with down-cast head and trembling
limbs l obeyed the command. An I'M
earthly smell pervaded the long silent
hall and a cold damp chilled my bones
to the marrow. Seated in the old arm
chair was the spectral pedagogue.
around him were maps and musty pa
Pers, in his thin. white hands be held
the daily record" he was calling the
roll School kept again. and alone
answered present AS he called
the names OF schoolmates 1 arose and
explained their absence A few l told
him had climbed many rungs In the lad
der Of fame-some were respected BY
their fellow men-a few were In
shackles and confined In prison walls.
and many were dead or scattered tc
the four winds OF the earth. But
when he called my old sweetheart
trembled. weakened and staggered u
my scat
Speak out James Fulton hs
cried; you know why Mary is not a
school to-dayP'
was sIeechless with fear.
You walked to school with hel
every morning." he continued 'shs
was an innocent and trusting child snC
she loved you James Fulton; tell ne
what you have done with Mary Ben
ton or VIII send your sinful soul 4
perditiOnI" He arose from his sea
80 he spoke and pointed his long
bony finger straight at ma his eye
possessed sn unnatural fra there va
the mold Of the grave around hi
snouth. ana the dust Of the tomb Eel
from his long hoary locks Speak