The Forrest City times., 1891-02-20
were about to begin, ka excused him self from further attendance.

MtIt aUout AO DtGitl. trs tNCVStu Utftl- self from further attendance There was no mistake about the rain; it was that dogged, downright rain that evidently means to make
 night of it, and yet was not of that steady description that may be cir cumvented by an umbrella, or par ticular inclination of the body. Therel It was decided at last. It had been matter of contention, all along, between Mir. Soper and the
 wind, as to which should have his hat;
 he naturally thought that he had a right to his own property, but the wind seemed to be of different mind
 and the wind got it way. Mir. Soper
 had put down his whip and clapped
 his hand upon this coveted property | and had he kept 1t there the victory had been his. But the wind was not to be bafiled like that; it made a feign- | ed attack on the apron, which was well buttoned down, and would have resist
 ed all efforts at dislodgment, but Mir Soper, forgetting this. fell into the snare, and left his hat ungarded for q
 moment-ony for one moment-but
 that was enough. With d scream of triumph, the wind caught it, and | whisked 1t of into the darkness. and there he sat, barehcaded to the beat
 ing of the pitiless rain. But the only thing to be done was
 to whip his horse anu keep him in as
 straight line as possible.
 "rom Soperl"
 He pulled up suddenly, all in q trem-
 ble, and looked over his shoulder, ex-
 pecting to find some one in the spare | seat of his gig, for the voice that called
 him seemed close to his ear, but no ] one was there; and then he peered in- l to the darkness right and left, and
 then, with an angry shake oi the shoul- i ders, muttered, "Bahl twas all fancy. | What a fool aml Get on, old horse. '
 And, with lash of his whip, away he
 went again, splashing through the mud. Tom Soperi"
 There was no mistake this time, yet, though heturned around very sharply,
 he could see no one: and then his hair fairly stood on end, except that DOT tion that was held down by the hand kerchief.
 Who's that?' said be-
 You can't see me" said the mys- terlouS voice, ESQ 1t $ no use look ing"
 "Who are you?" asked Tom Soper.
 "The Ghost of the Last Will and Testament of Lady Dudgeon." Good Lord" exclaimed the un- happy man, and sat plump down on the wet cushion; for he had stood up you must understand, when he looked round.
 Yes. Tom. 'tis all true what the pro- lessor said; you can t destroy anything. You thought you had destroyed me, didn't you, when you threw me on he fire and watched the smoke go curling mp the chimney? But you didn't de stroy me-you only killed me. My body, the black cinaer was buried in the dust bin; my spirit, that smoke ! that you watched, went up the chim- uey and joined the clouds, Rather
 mixed company up there, Tom, can assure you-all sorts of low for5eries and lies--so that am glad to get
 down again; and now, at this present moment, Tom, am snuglY enscoueed,
 in the shape of drop of water, in your right ear--nol It's no use, you
 can't get at me with your tinger-and there mean to remain until Ievapor- i2e."
 Heaven defend mel" said Tom, 'sfor
 am an old man, and very repent ant.
 "Ah, Tom, Tom how could you do
 such a thing Robbing that poor girl of her money, not to mention the $500 left to the clergyman in the codicile How could you find it in your conscience to rob that good man and innocent girl, chg Il had no conscience then" said Tom, whimpering, but 1t has grown
 upon me since, and I'm very sorry, and I'll build another literary and scien- tiiic institution if you'll leave oil
 haunting me-"
 Literary and scientific institution Rubhishn'
 "rll leave all my money to the poor
 when die"
 1t won't do Tom, it won't do. You must set the wrong right"
 Give up the moneyYa said Tom, in
 great fear.
 "Well, might ask you to do that
 with perfect justice, and pay interest 1 for the time you had it; but l won't l do that, for reason best known to
 my self"
 "You don't mean that have not long to live?n--he was more frightened
 now than ever.
 Never mind what mean" said the
 voice; "only when people have come to your age they shouldn't get wet through. If you had not burst the
 will you would not have had the
 money, you would not have built the
 library and scientific institution; you
 would not have been here tonight; and ! ii you had not been here tonight, you ! would not have got wet through, you would not have--aheml' l What shall do? oh. what shall I | do2n said Tom, Fl am so very sorry l You must do this" said the ghost, ''and must make haste and tell you
 for l am evaporiking very fast. You
 must make your will at once-the
 very first thing tomorrow morning | "So pressing as that!" murmured 1 Tom.
 And. in the first place, you must leave that five hundred pounds to the
 clergyman: he has sixteen children al
 ready. and w.d be very glad of the ] money
 l sIes. yes, said Tom, "Ill do that.
 and leave the rest to Fanny Cham ! pion.
 1 No such thing, Leave half to Fan
 ny, and the other half to Jerry Snnp- ' son VI