Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-03-27
THE TREE GHOST.

OdC4ucS udu u5b COluulGIeu dIl awful
deed-a fearful crime-in short, 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 impulsiYe.
A law student, diligent and thorough, a
philosopher inbued with Schopenhauer,
he led dreary life, lacked money, gave
lessons and scarcely kept soul and body
together. The burden began to weigh
heavily on him, and ut times he felt an
angry revolt against his circumstances, u
dissatisfaction that might-and did, as
we shall see-lead him to the lowest
depths of infany.
One summer evening, hungry and pen
niless, raging at the thought of pleas
ure party planned for the morrow, which
he must give up for want of little
money, he walked beyond the city gates,
aid at about 8 o'clock he found himself
on q 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, aud great drops
of rain began to fall. Jacques did not
fear the storm except as concerned his
clothing and his health. He did not wish
to spoil his garments nor catch an ex-
pensive attack of pneumonia. No shelter.
To the right, as to the left, a barren plain.
At last by good fortune he spied a tree
standing alone, a crooked, twisted apple
tree. The tired man crouched under its
branches. The fury of the storm redou-
bled. Everything, even nature, seemed
against poor Jacques. Chilly, soaked,
exasperated, he shook his fist in the air
as the rain fell down like threads of steel.
"Such weather, such weather. After
little second person came grunbling
up to lean against the tree, with his back
to Jacques, whom he had not perceived.
The newcomer seemed to be n little tipsy,
for he rambled on aloud ina husky voice:
"This is fineI Those fellows played
me pretty trick in driving off with my
carriage and leaving me to walk home
alone with all this money iu my pocket :"
Jacques. hearing these fatal words and
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.
1t is not customary occurrence for
an apple tree to follow man, and
therefore Jacques cannot be accused of
weakness if we admit that he felt lit
tie surprise. Hearing the roots sliding
behind him, he turned and beheld the
tree, dark shadow on the darkness.
81 am nervous" !" he thought. ut is a
fancyr'
He continued to walk, and the tree con-
tinued to follow him.
Either have gone mad" said jacques,
cor this manifestation is an inexplicable
freak of nature. But i shall soon know,
for when 1 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, then,' he continued, '.it is GER
tain that this apple tree is visible form
of remorse, such as Banquo's ghost was
to Macbeth and the commander to Don
Juan, but this hallucination is the more
singular because I feel no remorse at all.
The tree seems to disregard received ira
dition. Never mind! l have got some
money. After nights rest 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 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. Tho tree remained out
side. Jacques smiled, not that the tree
annoyed him, only he thought the jani-
tor might have objected to such COM
panion.
In his own room he counted his Ill got
ten gain-a considerable sum-then he
suddenly thought of the tree and looked
out. It was on the sidewalk gliding to
and fro. Heven moved politely aside to
allow two policemen to pass. Jacques
went to bed and slept soundly till morn
ing.
Heavy knocks ON his door awoke him.
"Oh! Ahi Yes, to be surel'' twas his
friends, who came to seek him for the
pleasure party. He threw on his gar
ments and opened the door, greeting
them gayly. Then he finished his dress
ing while proposing lively plans for the
day. He slipped several goldpieces into
his pocket, and they started of together
to meet the rest of the company at the
place agreed on.
The apple tree, which wal led respect
fully for him on the sidewalk, began inn
mediately to follow him like a well bred