Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-12-11
MY OWN DECEASE.

Although undoubtedly 1 had been
very i'll, 1 am by no means certain of
my facts ut about this time; so wheth-
er l 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 1 was talking with n demon, who
sat by my bedside. He was a very
pleasant sort of fellow and not bad
looking, but somehow l knew that he
WAS q demon.
"Would you like to hear what they
are saying about you and go to your
w funeral?" he asked pleasantly.
"People generally do attend that
ceremony personally" 1 s%uggested;
then after a moments reflection, 1
asked: "Am I dead, then"
"Of course. Did you not know it?"
eff 1 did it must have escaped my
memory" l replied imperturbably.
"Well, you are dead, but 1 will give
| you the remarkable power of going
among your family in the spirit md
invisible to Them"
''That's very kind of you, but I've
heard you people seldom perform serv-
ices for nothing. What recompense
do you requireY"
"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
homer I was gliding no!selessly down
the stairs.
l should explain to you that l am
an orphan, without parents, but a
member of u large family; sisters,
brothers, cousins and all the rest of it.
1 happen to have more money than
any of the others, and have hitherto
been much sought after on account Of
my excellent personal qualities. 1
an not married. Well, the fact is, 1
am of Il rather retiring disposition,
and not having yet come across Il girl
who would help me out with the pre-
liminaries, l had not found courage to
SAnS lAS AotoA uiu11Sc. Wy GluCSL SIS
ter, Priscilla, had therefore been keep
ing house for me.
1 passed easily through the closed
parlor door without opening it, which
was very convenient, and found my
self, unseen by them, in the midst of
! relatives from different parts of the
country. They We're waiting break
fast for some important person who
had not yet made his appearance. 1
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 saw me. 1 had
forgotten for the moment that 1 was
a dematerialized spirit. Soon, how
ever. the door opened md the lmpor-
tant individual entered the apart
ment. 1t was my eldest brother Tom.
Now l began to understand. He was
my executor and residuary legatee.
He represented me. the late Crawley
Slowquicker, ESQ.,. deceased, hence all
the court and Difference paid to him.
This was absurd, you know, for a
bigger fool never lived.
Well, he made straight for my chair,
and sat down where l was sitting!
This was stepping into my shoes with
O vengeance-actually usurping the
same place occupied by my disembod-
led spirit. Tom was a bulky fellow,
and l felt the affront. Besides, wish
ing better to watch the proceedings,
I got up quickly and sat behind my
chair.
Two things especially attracted my
attention. and. somewhat shocked me.
Ia the first place, Priscilla's presiding
seemed more lavish than under my
regime. and in the second, I was struck
by the happiness and gayety Of the
whole company. This was calculated
to take my faulty down a few pegs,
for 1 had fondly imagined that my
death would plunge my entire family
in the uttermost depths of despair
But it hadn't!
81 eve like going into black" Pris-
ella was saying in her ever tones to
Aunt Gwen, cts so very unlucky."
81 don't mind the change at ALL
said Aunt Gwen, "the color just suits
me, you know. But I really can,
tell what orders to give. not know.
ing aow I am provided for"
''1hat's as good as asking" said
Tom, with one Of his horrible laughs
which I used to consider so hearty
ga mods as good as a wink TO n blind
horse. I suppose the regular thing Ii
to read the will after the funeral. bul
us it's oil among ourselves 1t doesn'
matter. and I'll read 1t to ell directly
after breakfast"