The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-09-20
PART I.

look upon the struggles and excitements of
such political season, when
personal character is likely to be
most unjustly assailed, and the most
crafty receptions practised to effect the
Imagination Of the people, without recalling
. strange ghost story once told me by an old
physician and which I now relate for the
sake Of the impression which 1t may con-
vey in our quadriennal political campaign.
will repeat this curious story in the first
person, much as the old doctor told 1t to
me.
began my practice, his narrative ran, as a
doctor in an old Rhode Island town, near
Providence R. I. there became interested
in nervous diseases. and wrote a course of
lectures on Moral Force as a Preventative
and Cure in Cases of Emotional Insanity.
The lectures secured for me an appointment
as an assistant in a once famous hospital
for the treatment of the insane. 1 after
wards sought place as village physician.
can never forget scene that was pre-
scented to me on the day that first entered
the village where 1 began my professional
life. The place was Warren, in the state of
Rhode Island, state that was famous for
called "Dorr War; to the acrimonious COM
test that made William Sprague governor.
in the thrilling days of the armng of the
North. The village is bowery and beautiful,
and rich in historic traditions. Here the old
forest King Massasoit protected Roger Will
iiams in the dreary winter when that exile
was evolving those principles of soul liberty
that have entered into the political constitu-
tions Of all enlightened nations.
Here, according to fine, but questioned
tradition, John Hampden-of whom Gray
speaks in his famous "Elegy."
"Some village Hampden that with daunt-
less hand"
the grea. English commoner, visited Mas
sasoit, and helped Edward Wnslow nurse
the chieftain in dangerous illness, and so
studied the country, presumably as place
Of refuge in case the parliamentary cause
should fail. Beyond the village is the old
town Of Bristol, with its Mortimer tradi-
tons and Mt. Hope, the ancient burying
ground Of the Pokenoket race.
There was in this town, which was once
part of old Swansea, large colonial build
ing, but lately taken down, that was called
1.-THE Ark"
On the occasion of my first visit, as
walked from the city of Providence towards
the town, an incident happened. A we'll
dressed man in an open carriage met me on
the way, and drew the rein, and asked
SIS it far that you are going stranger"
1t was one of the Inequalities of the old
Rhode Island wagoners to offer a foot trav-
elles a ride.
''To Warren. sir. Some miles am told"
"That far? Get in and ride. mans
carriage is his house in these parts, and the
door Is always open. like company. Co.
ing to the funeral, I suppose Everybody
is. 'Taint often there happens such a fun
eral as this one."
"No, my friend, I hadn't heard that any
one was dead. A peculiar case infer.
What is the persons manner"
mounted into the carriage as asked the
question.
"Placide. tell you what politics is poor
business, now, amt It? 1t was too bad,
too bad. Everybody like Placide till that
story formed itself into demon, and went
around"
He was talking in an unknown tongue to
me, and asked
"Who was he? Haven't you heard?
Haven't? You must be kind Of strang-
er in these parts He was the defeated can
didate-defeated going on two years ago.
1t was not the defeat that caused his death,
but the story. Some people die strange
you have noticed that, as you are DOCTOR"
II am going to the town to live. have
been SO busy with my studies that haven't
kept the run of politics much of late"
II heard that they were going to have
new doctor there Maybe that you are he"
my name is Brown"
cdr. Brown"
"Young DR.. Brown"
IT would have known that If you hadn't
told me. I can see that you are not "old"
DR.. Brown. What are my eyes for? Well,
I am the undertaken. You and 1 are likely
to become better acquainted. When any,
body wants to be buried they come to me.
and when anybody wants to die, they COM
monty go for the doctor, beg your pardon.
But that is neither here nor there. As
was saying-Politics is bad business as
business when 1t ceases to be a matter of
principle. The funeral is at one O'Clock, and
1t is almost twelve, now. Hud up"
The last sentence was provincialism, and
was addressed to the horse which had been
moving along in leisurely and meditative
way.
The animal quickened his pace until we
came to some great elms that overshadow-
ed the way. In their sunny tops orioles were
winging and singing above their pouched
nest; beyond, were clover meadows, where
bob-o-links were toppling, and beyond the
meadows. the blue broadening of the river.
The animal took philosophical gait again.
and we rode on for a time in silence
Suddenly the undertaken turned to me
with an anxious look in his face. He lifted
the rein. opened his lips but only said
my name is Luther-Luther, the under
taker They all know me here. NY old
style carriage stops for some Of them nearly
every month in the year. ring the BELL"
"a common name in this country, I am
told"
There was a white waxy look in his face
as of one who had gone partner with Death
We came to the still shadows of wood
The sun seemed to go out of it as 1t were,
leaving golden rain on the lightly famed
leaves Wild grapes hung on the oaks and
jumpers; Indian pipe had sprung up by the
dry brook. and the witch hazels that bloom
in the fall, here and there outspread their
tents OF green. y