The National tribune., 1892-10-20

there are many incredulous folk in this age
who may not believe my power to perform this
miracle. Therefore the better to show them
the confidence / have in my ability to do this.
and moreover the open-handedness with which
| make my promise, | voluntarily give myself
into your custody until the all-important day.
See that ] am kept under strong guard, and
say to all that cannot be seen till two weeks
from this hour when ! shall step forth to re-
deem my pledge"
At first the Magistrate scoffed at the
strangers. but as he listened to them he became
interested, and the novelty of the situation
finally induced him to yield to their request.
Pierre was dumbfoundcd at the course taken
by his confrere and as soon as they were alone
he hogan to upbraid him.
Hold, good Pierre! l have already secured
thee an excellent supper, TO which you paid
ample amends. There is good bed upon
which to rest your tired limbs"
But you cannot think the sensible people
Of Potion are going TO believe this twaddle
about raising the dead?"
Hobo, Monsieur Veyer, is it possible that
man OF the world AS you are, you do not realize
the shadows men follow? Do IS / ask you,
and If do mob fulfill my promise will perform
miracle even greater"
The following day Pierre Voyer went abroad
over Potion proclaiming the startling tidings
while the chief plotter lazly stretched himself
in tile Magistrates Office smoked that officials
pipe, chatted with his pretty daughter, rs
he cody awaited developments. j might add
that he had arrayed himself in suit of the
Mayors clothes, had removed his stubhy beard
with the others razor, ard otherwise improved
his personal appearance at the expense OF his host
until he would not have been recognized as the
trayel-sta;ned wayfarer of the previous day.
However faithfully the doubling Pierre per-
formed his duty, four days passed without
fJ,ot IF D,,,
on the fifth day he began to see difference in
the demeanor of those he met, and one after
another listened TO his strange stories TO ask
all sorts Of questions, to which he replied with
profession Of the most profound ignorance.
This new state OF feeling spread rapidly, I'M
til the people began 10 seek him and to demand
an interview with this wonderful unknown
savant. Singularly enough. while there were
Doubtless many good men and women resting
in the churchyard whose friends would have
hailed their return to this sphere with joy, it
was another class that awoke the excitement OF
the popuIace. Not a famiy-ay, q person in
Potion it secmed-who did not fear the return
OF some one from among the sleepers of the
silent world.
An aged man with pslsied limbs besought
Pierre not to make miserable the few remain
ing years of his life by calling back to him a
scoldlng wife. Another feared the return Of q
hard hearted husband
A spendthrift begged that his misery father
might not be allowed to put him again upon a
niggardly stipend. gambler asked to be
spared a meeting with his victims; and one
with record sealed from the public gaze
offered handsome sum to have the occupant
Of a certain grave undisturbed.
To all Of these Pierre turned deaf ear
seeking his chief that evening with light
heart. But whenever he spoke of accepting
these brides, Morency replied Not yet" and
resumed his love making.
The excitement started, ID was surprising
how fast the fever spread, until the whole city
seemed TO have caught the contagion.
Higher and higher rose the bids of those who
wished to be excepted in this great scheme Of
transition. Pierrcs head grew dizzy as he saw
the gold lie longed TO hold in lis itching palms
man who was credited with great business
foresight in accommodating a vast property
offered 100 louis for the safe keeping of the
secret. Others bid lesser sums 10 DO allowed an
escape from the dread mutation; and two
brothers. who had been raised from poverty to
aiIluence through the death of a rich relative,
da2zled the gaze Of Pierre with 200 louis to be
saved from pauperism. An old man with care
worn countenancc irnplored that the grave OF q
child brother be not opened lest the younger
oUtlive him aud inherit the property for which
be had spent the years Of his manhood in wait
ing
From morning till night fees poured in upon
Moreney, aud letters and messengers besoug LIT
him TO listen to appeals for mercy. The low
aud high, weak and mighty alike humbled
themselves before him. To all he gave one re-
ply:
"If make any exception the whole. design
win be frustrated. feel it duty to carry out
my good intentions"
When only four days of probation remained
| Pierre positively declared that the time to end
| the farce had come
Accept their bribes-all we can get-aud
| fee while we may. The people are wild, and
our lives are in jeopardy. Surely you are not
so lost to reason that you will stay here longer?"
Bat Morency was in no mood TO agree with
| bis confederate. He had that day asked the
| Magistrate for the hard of his daughter and
been rejected. he shrugged his shoulders and
/ turned away.
The following morning dashing young
widow sought Pierre and modestly asked him
| if it was truc-this strange, startling story of
I raising the dead. If so, was it necessary to
/ p