The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-30
BACK FROM THE DEAD
The Narrative Of John Preston, Actor,
Once Hanged for FratriCide.
DATED AUG. 9, 1882
A Story Of the Stage.
Dy sAQUI SMIT H.
PART II.
tcopyrisht 1881 BY o. 8. McC.ursl
THE DAWN OF THE NEW LIFE.

THE DAWN OF THE NEW LIFE.
Iopsned my eyes on the b,ncksned ceiling OF
room. As was lying on my back. tho cell.
ing was naturally tho first thing that met my
sight All that I could mako out in the con.
fused sense OF awakening and OF wondering
where was and how came to be there. was
tina, / lay on . sort Of raised board or trsstls:
that was encircled in . soft, mellow light that
seemed 70 come from behind my back. and
that the room was small ard narrow and
shaded from the light OF day by heavy curtaiAs
drawn closely over the window Mt the further
end. Tho next thing became aware OF WIS
dull dead. aching pain about the neck; that
my neck was enclosed in kind OF iron collar.
such as had soen round the throats OF mon
In armor. and that could turn my head
neither TO the right nor left. Whom had rea-
lized these few things I remained still for a
moment staring at the ceiling. thsn slightly
lifted one OF my arms. As did so there was u
movement by my side. and voice sounded In
my ears: LIE perfectly still" 1t said don't
move until tell you to do So" In the Same
Instant Q detaiuirR hand was laid on my
shoulder. and face-the face OF man
looked into mino could not call to nina tnss
Ihad ever seen the face before.
The result OF his inspection seemed to satisfy
tho man. for after minute he drew back with
4 sign OF relief Placing his hand on my pulse
he took out a watch and studied It. I looked
at him and he looked ut me for . moment.
1nen I opened my lirs to speak. but he stopped
me with a motion Of his hand.
You may ask mo what questions you
please" he said. II don't bind myself to An
swer all or any OF them. What II It you wish
10 know"
How long have bssn here p asked In =
faint. weak voice. that sounded like the ghost
OF nv own.
The doctor remained silent for while, - II
considering his reply. About twsnty.four
hours" he answered. at length. 1T IN now .
little nr,er Q o'clock in the eveninR-you wsre
brought hero yesterday evening"
Tho next question that rose to my lips was
the question that bore relation to the position
In which found myself.
How have l come heref"
That l am not at liberty to toll YOU" he an
swers,. beyond this. that you were conveyed
Ia this house direct from the place Of your exc
eution."
Istarted and shuddsrsd - he said the last
words-it brought me back to myself with such
terrible suddenness. It seemed az though
still heard the roar OF voices. that was still
under The tree. with the rope around my neck
and the cart moving away from my feet. until
l. all at once ewoke again with nothing real
but the figure Of the doctor Standing By my
side watching me. He smiled slightly a. he
saw my wondering face. Il 500 you do not
qui . understand" no said.
Il thought had been hanged" I exclaimed
confnsedly. looking MP at him.
SO you have" he answered. with this
difference; the law said you were to be hanged
by the nsck-but the Law hung you By the chin
instead. That was Lot tho fault Of the law
It WAS tho fault OF the rope which slipped as
you wore swunR or You were left there for
dend and you were cut down and carried away
and brought here to ne under cover Of tho
nighr. saw tho laws blunder. saw that
could bring vou baok to tho life you had left.
Yet. 10 all Intents and purposes you are dead
dead in tho eye OF the law that condemned
you. dead to all tho world but me- Had they
been little later in bringing you here. you
would have been dead In fact. Is well as In
name. Five men out OF six would have sue
cumbed under tn. shock. You are tho sixth
man. and You have lived through 1t. That Is
all 1t Is necessary for you to know at present.
Later on, have something more to say. Ons
warning have 70 give you. lie perfectly still
A. piare you So" He slightly raised me as no
hooke. then turning what seemed screw at
The back OF the board raised my head . few
inches higher. No one will enter this room
but NE: you are safe from all discovery: do
vou understand
'h'HAou i6ut'S Az tcpiS.
That Is sufficient" he answered. Il shall
not have occasion 10 speak to you until 1t Is
necessary 10 do so. Try not to think of what
has LapTened. The less thinking the better
for you. There Ia no more TO DO ssid." Thus
s!eakinE he walked across the room. heard
he door opened and gently closed and locked
on tho other side. ! was alone.
For some time after no had left me lay
there sta.ing at the ceiling with . world OF
fho' Rhts all iumblsd together In blank oon-
hsiln whritng through and through my
brain. Yet. somehow. could make nothing
out Of II all but this that in tho passage from
life to ':eath. and death to life again. great
mist lad risen between my other existence
all me. mist that shut me out from oil
thiIgi that were Of the world In which had
existed that had boon born AMI died and
lived aaain that was beyond tho reach Of
tho iaw that hnd killed me. bevoni tho touch
OF MANKIND and that somehow or other. tho
doctor was mixed up In It all. had got thus
lar when senss OF WEAKNESS began to steal
over me. my eyes slowly closed; ell things
tsdei Into The blank OF deep sleep.
When awoIs the doctor was again BY my
ante with his watch 10 his hand aad his fingers
On my wrist as before.
fou have been s!ssp!ng." no said, 1T Is
better 90. Drink this" placing . glass OF
''uld 10 my lipa. did SO. A delicious sensa-
HOB OF warmth and strength gradually SUI
:a'ed itsolf through my frame. began to
feel hungry.
The doetor looked at mo attcnrively for .
YER nom 'nts as II watchin. the effects OF the
restorative
Now. think. you may take some nourish-
msat'' hs said. Thus speaking he lett tho
room. returning In q fcw minutes with tray
On which was food. feRting himself by tho
osdside he iod mo with hin own hands.
"h"n the morl was finished tho doctor
STOOL nm and Looked at me- with supremely
satisfied ar. II think he will do" he said at
.'hR'i'. Mo-' to himself than to me. " ono
NOR" victory for science" His eyes lit up as
ne w ered th"so words A bright smi.o flashed
Gross MS lace: 1t va, gone instantaneously.
'us iigdt In his eyss died out. leaving Tho
before.
hetGrnsd 10 mo. You will remain here for
.oar Gays more" he said. that 10 the time
ssHmate 1t will take to bring you round. /