The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19

iKrNN hypnotic trance,
VII - n ivan really cannot say.
lMNz> Af5ztz&AA Any way, one morning
hi EE / seemed to be con-
Nj llMN scious that was talk
W ing with demon,
who sat by my bedside. He was very
pleasant sort of fellow and not bad
looking, but somehow knew he was
demon.
"Would You like to hear what they
are saying about you and go to your
own funeral?" he asked pleasantly.
"People generally do attend that
ceremony personally" l suggested;
then after o moments reflection, /
asked, sam dead, then?"
ssOf course. Did you not know it?"
eff / did It must have escaped my
memory, replied imperturably.
"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 ser
vices for nothing. What recompense
do you require?"
"None. The penalty You will pay
will be sufficient reward to me-"
"What penalty?'
ssTo see yourself as others see you,
and hear what they say OF you"
My friend then dematerialized him.
self into thin air, and the next mo-
ment / was gliding noiselessly down
the stairs.
should explain to you that I am
nm orphan, without parents, but a
member OF large family; sisters,
brothers, cc-.5rs and all the rest OF
it. AZ pen to have moro money
thar any of the others, and have
hitherto been much sought after on
account of many excellent personal
qualities. / am not married. Well,
the fact is, am of rather retiring
disposition, and not having yet come
across girl who would help me out
with the preliminaries, l had not
found courage to take the fatal plunge.
NV eldest sister, Priscilla, had there
fore been keeping house for me.
easily passed through the closed
parlor door without opening it, which
was very convenient, and found my
self, unseen by them, in the midst o
relatives from different parts OF tn
country. They were waiting break
fast for some important person whit
had not yet made his appearance.
was foolish enough to thiaki it Nigh
be myself and sat down to my GUS
---~--r,sEs sea, at the foot OF the table
Init. Of course, no one saw me. hs'
forgotten for the moment that l was
dematerialized spirit. Soon, how
ever. the door opened, and the i'm
nortant individual entered the apart
ment. It was my eldest brother Tom
Now I began to understand. He wa
NV executor and residuary legatet
he represented me, the late Crawle
Slovouicker, Esq, deceased, henc
ali the court and Difference paid
him. This was absurd, you know, fo
q bigger fool never lived.
We'll. he made straight for m
chair. and sat down where l was 81
tfnql This was stepping into N
shoes with o vengeance-actual
usnrpinc the same place occupied I
nv disembodied spirit. Tom was
bulky fellow, and / felt the affron
Besides, wishing better to watch q
proceedings, got up quickly and 9
behind my chair.
Two things especially attracted n
attention, and somewhat shocked N
In the first place. Priscilla's presidil
seemed much more lavish than und
NV regime, and in the second v
struck by the happiness and gayety
the whole company. This was cals
latail to take my faulty down I
nsos: for / had fondly imagined u
y nv death would plunge my emit
family in the nttermost depths OF
srair. But it hadn't
IT never like going into biaci
Priscilla was saying in her even 'ol
to Aunt Gwen; cts SO very
lucky"
at don't mind the change at al
said Aunt Gwen; ssthe color just So
me, you know. But ] really cant
what orders to give, not knowing o
/ am provided for.
THAT'S as good as asking"
Tom. with one OF his horrible lang
which 1 used to consider so hear
"a mods rs good as wink to pi
horse. Isuppose the regular thing
20 read the will after the funeral;
as it's all among ourselves it does
matter, and I'll read it to all diret
alter breakfast.
Then they started talking 90
their late relation, Crawley Slowqcl
er. and the things heard about
SELF positively astonished me.
rhey were all sadly deficient IN
bupp of reverence, aud I found