The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-05-04
THE TREE GHOST.

Jacques had just committed an awful
deed-a fearful crime-in short, o muir
der-yet so far he felt no remorse. 1t
happened in this way:
He was not naturally cruel nor wick
ed-only quick tempered and impulsive.
A law student, diligent and thorough, O
philosopher imbued with ~Schopenhauer,
he led q dreary life, lacked money, gave
lessons and scarcely kept soul and body
together. The burden began to weigh
heavily on him, and at times he felt an
angry revolt against his circumstances, a
dissatisfaction that might-and did, as
we shall see-lead him to the lowest
depths of infamy.
One summer evening, hungry and pen
niless, raging at the thought Of q pleas
ure party planned for the morrow, which
he must give up for want of b little
money, he walked beyond the city gates,
and at about 8 o'clock he found himself
on a long and lonely road which stretch
ed straight on till it was lost in the dusky
gloom.
Then like an evil omen there came q
heavy crash of thunder, and great drops
Of rain began to fall. Jacques did n :
fear the storm except az concerned his
clothing and his health. He did not wish
to spoil his garments nor catch in ex-
pensive attack of pneumonia. No shelter.
To the right, as to the left, o barren plain.
At last by good fortune he spied o tree
standing alone, a crooked, twisted apple
tree. The tired man crouched under it's
branches. The fury OF the storm redou-
bled. Everything, even nature, seemed
against poor Jacques. Chilly, soaked,
exaggerated, he shook his fist In the air
as the rain fell down Like threads Of steel.
such weather, such weather. After
q little o second person tame gfu1nbling
mp 30 lean against the tree, with his back
to Jacques, whom he had not perceived.
The newcomer seemed to bs alittla tipsy.
for he rambied on aloud in ahusky voice:
t'This il fnel Those fellows played
me q pretty trick in driving of withsmy
carriage and leaving me to walk home
alone with all this money in my pocket
Jacques, hearing these fatal wurdsand
yielding to the temptation OF his evil
passion, fell upon the stranger; stran-
gled him and emptied his purse. This
accomplished, he turned toward home.
The apple tree, which had not budged
during this incident, began to follow
him.
It Is not q customary Occurrences for
an apple tree to follow a man. and
therefore Jacqdes cannot be accused Of
weakness IL we admit that he felt d lit
tie surprise. Hearing the roots sliding
behind him, he turned aud beheld the
tree, a dark shadow on the darkness.
II am nervous" he thought. 1T is q
fancyr'
He continued to walk, andth tree con-
tinued to follow him.
Either / havegonemad " said Jacques,
'or this manifestation il an inexplicable
freak Of nature. But / shall soon know,
for when / get into the city the people
will not let an apple tree go by without
making some remark"
But the people passed and made no re-
marks. and the tree did not appear to
! mind them.
, Jacques meditated.
well, them" he continued, sit is GER
tain that this apple tree is a visible form
of remorse, such as Banquo's ghost was
to Macbeth and the commander to DON
Juan, but this Authorization is the more
, singular because / feel no remorse at all.
The tree seems to disregard received ira
, dition. Never mindi I have got some
money. After a night'srest my tree viii
have disappeared"
: He quickened his step, not to escape
, from his apple tree, but because he was
weary and longed for repose. Before
the door he wondered If the apple tree
: would enter. He even felt a kind Of In.
: terest about it on account of the mar
rowness of the hall, fearing the branches
might be broken. He rang, went in, and
the door closed. The tree remained out
tide. Jacques smiled, not that the tree
annoyed him, only he thought the JAM
tor might have objected to such a com
! panion.
2 In his own room he counted his ill rot
ten gain-a considerable sum-then Iii
suddenly thought OF the tree and lookei
Z out. IL was ON the sidewalk gliding Il
and fro. 1t even moved politely aside Il
) allow two policemen to pass. Jacquel
went to bed and slept soundly till morn
ing.
Heavy knocks ON his door awoke him
ssOht Ahi Yes, to be suref' 1t was hi
friends, who came TO seek him for TIL
pleasure party. He threw ON his gar
g ments and opened the door, greeting
4 them gayly. Then he finished his dress
3 ing while proposing lively plans for th,
.sIday. He slipped several goldpieces int
y his pocket, and they started off togethe
2 10 meet the rest Of the company &C III
4 place agreed on.
The apple tree. which waited respeci
fully for him on the sidewalk, began I'm
mediately TO follow him like d well bro
lackey. Jacques, who felt no grudge
49, ~@sss~a s@s @~A