The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1896-12-12
MY OWN DECEASE.

Although undoubtedly had been
very III, am by no means certain of
my facts at about this time; so wheth-
er | was a victim of a little too much
Indulgence in the flowing bowl, or of
a lively Imagination, or of a hypnotic
trance, I really cannot say, anyway,
one morning l seemed to be conscious
that | was talking with demon, who
sat by my bedside. He was very
pleasant sort of fellow and not bad
looking, but somehow / knew that he
was a demon
would you like to hear what they
are saying about you and go to your
own funeralT he asked pleasantly.
"People generally do attend that
ceremony personally" l suggested;
then after a moments reflection, /
asked: "Am | dead, thenw
"Of course. Did you not know itg'
IF | did 1t must have escaped my
memory" | replied imperturbably.
'Well, you are dead, but will give
you the remarkable power Of going
among your family in the spirit and
invisible to them"
That's very kind of you, but I've
heard you people seldom perform serY.
ices for nothing. What recompense
do you requireT
None. The penalty you will pay
will be sufficient reward to me-"
what penalty?"
ITO see yourself as others see you,
and hear what they say of you"
My friend then dematerialized him.
self into thin pale air, and the next
moment was gliding noiselessly down
the stairs.
| should explain to you that am
an orphan, without parents, but a
member Of large family; sisters,
brothers, cousins and all the rest of 1t.
! happen to have more money than
any of the others, and have hitherto
been much sought after on account of
my excellent personal qualities.
am not married. Well, the fact is,
am Of a rather retiring disposition,
and not having yet come across girl
who would help me ont with the pre-
fmlnaries, had not found courage to
take the fatal plunge My eldest sis
ter, Priscilla, had therefore been keep
ing house for me.
passed easily through the closed
parlor door without opening 1t, which
was very convenient. and found my
self, unseen by them, in the midst of
relatives from different parts Of the
Country. They were waiting break
fast for some Important person who
mad not yet made his appearance, |
was foolish enough to think 1t might
be myself and sat down in my Gus
tomary seat at the foot Of the table.
but OF course, no one saw me. had
forgotten for the moment that was
q demateriallzed spirit Soon. how
ever the door opened and the Impor-
tant individual entered the apart
ment. 1t was my eldest brother Tom.
Now | began to understand. lie was
my executor and residuary legatee.
He represented me, the late CrawIey
Slowquicker, Esq, deceased. hence all |
the court and Difference paid to him.
This was absurd you know, for a
bigger fool never lived.
Wen, he made straight for my chair. |
and sat down where | was slttinrl |
This was stepping into my shoes with |
3 Vengeance-actually usurping the
same place occupied by my disembod- |
led spirit. Tom was bulky fellow.
and felt the affront Besides, wish
Ing better to watch the proceedings.
l got up quickly and sat behind my
chair
Two things especially attracted nv
attention, and somewhat shocked me
In the first place. Priscilla's presldInr
seemed more lavish than under INV
regime, and In the second, was strucy
by the happiness and gayety of the
whole company. This was calculated
to take my faulty down a few pegs.
for | had fondly imagined that INV
death would plunge my entire family
in the uttermost depths of DESPAIR.
But II hadn't!
never like going into black" Pris-
CHA vas saying in her even tones to
Aunt Gwen, ITS so very unlucky."
don't mind the change at all"
said Aunt Gwen, "the color lust suits
me, you know. But really can't
tell what orders to give, not know
ing how | am provided for"
That's as good as asking" said
Tom, with one of his horrible laughs
which / used to consider so hearty.
"A mods as good as a wink to blind
horse. ! suppose the regular thing is
TO read the will after the funeral, but
as it's all among ourselves 1t doesn't
matter, and I'll read 1t to all directly
after breakfast"