The herald., 1894-03-29
THE TREE GHOST.

Jacques had just committed an awful
deed-a fearful crime-in short, mur
der--yet so far he felt no remorse. II
happened in this way:
He was not naturally cruel nor wick.
ed-only quick tempered and impulsive.
A law student, diligent and thorough, q
philosopher imbued 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 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 pleas
ure party planned for the morrow, which
he must give up for want Of little
money, he walked beyond the city gates,
and at about o'clock he found himself
on long and lonely road which stretch
ed straight on till it was lost in the dusky
gloom.
Then like an evil omen there came
heavy crash of thunder, and 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, barren plain.
At last by good fortune he spied a tree
standing alone, 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,
exasperated, he shook his fist in the air
as the rain fell down like threads of steel.
"Such weather. such weather. After
a little second person came grumbling
up to lean against the tree, with his back
to Jacques, whom he had not perceived.
The newcomer seemed to be little tipsy,
for he rambled on aloud in ahusky voice;
"This is 6nel Those fellows played
me pretty trick in driving of with my
carriage and leaving me TO walk home
alone with all this money in 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 ia not a customary occurrence for
an apple tree to follow a 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.
~ am nervous" he thought. 1T is a
fancyw
He continued 10 walk, and the tree con-
tinued to follow him.
"Either have gone mad, said Jacques,
"or this manifestation is an inexplicabla
freak of nature. But 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, them" he continued, eft 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 feel no remorse at all.
The tree seems TO disregard received ira
dition. Never mind! | have got some
money. After nightsrest my tree will
have disappeared"
He quickened his step, not to escape
from his apple tree, but because he wal
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. The tree remained out
side. Jacques smiled, not that the tree
annoyed him, only he thought the jani
tor might have objected to such com.
psnion.
In his own room he counted his i'll got
ten gain--a considerable eum--then he
suddenly thought of the tree and looked
out. 1t was on the sidewalk gliding to
and fro. 1t even 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.
"Ohl All! Yes, to be surer' Itwas 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 off together
to meet the rest of the company at the
place agreed OIL.
The apple tree. which waited respect.
fully for him on the sidewalk, began inn
mediately to follow him like 8 well bred
lackey. Jacques, who rs no grudge,