The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-09
PART IL

The green grocer rose again: 81 said
was prepared TO do il on certain terms.
1t Is not All easy thing to do, and the
disintegration of personality is at
tended with grave risk. Cases are on
record in which the body has sue
cumbed under the strain, andlthe astral
shape, unable to return to il, has TO
wander forever asia spirit. My body is
not a strong one. / gave ii a severe
wrench yesterday, and am not pre-
pared 10 run the risk again fornothing.
My terms are that if Ibring the ghost
back l shall receive half the future re-
ceipts for admission to the Grange."
"Oh, OH / daresay." "Why not take
the lot" and kindred sarcasms burst
from the councillors assembled.
81 am running u risk. Mr.. Chairman"
repeated Councillor Timperley, land l
expect to be pais for it, If i don't
make the attempt you won't get the
ghost back, that's a-dead certainty. IL
is simply question whether you will
take so per cent. of future receipts or
be content with nothing"
The matter was put very plainly by
the little greengrocer. and on reflec-
tion the reasonableness Of his offer was
apparent. After some discussion it
was finally agreed, with one dissen-
tient, the implacable Mudford. that il
after further weeks waiting the ghost
did not appear, Councillor Timperley
should make his attempt to bring him
back on the terms he had proposed.
cfi
Grange remained without its tenant
The next evening Mr. Sam Tlmperley
entered it on his daring venture. Sew
eral fellow councillors accompanied
him to the door. but at his special re-
quest they did not so any Shrther. lie
appeared at the window TO wave his
final adieus, and then darkness and
mystery settled over Neither Talkington
Grange.
Popular feeling was greatly excited
that night, and many were the rumors
afioat. One respectable ratepayer said
that he had met the squire's ghost in
the outskirts of the town with a gun
under its arm taking short cut across
the fields toward the Grange, and those
that heard this tremble0 for the fate
of Sam Timperley. Others said that
they had seen the disntegrated green
grocer diving into the moat in its
search for the missing one, and they
waited in vain for its appearance; but
these and other reports appeared triv-
ial when confronted with the actualities
of the morrow.
At nine a. m, according 10 arrange
ment, the clerk TO the district council
with SAM Timperley's body. He heard
voices as he entered. and had he not
recognized the greengrocer's, he would
probably have run away. As it was,
he courageously proceeded to the room
from which they came. He opened the
door very gently and peered inside. The
sight was enough to unnerve the
strongest. for there, sitting in chair.
was the animated body of Sam Timper-
Icy in strong controversy with the spirit
OF its owner, who was pacing the room
in terrible distress.
'1 tell you. squire" said the spirit,
''it's a low trick you have played me.
] came after you 10 bring you back to
your friends and 20 the old home where
you have been contented and happy for
so long, and where you would be well
looked after and cared for, for the rest
OF your days, and there you go and re-
pay me by robbing me of my poor body
that never did you any harm in its life.'
"Gadzooks, sir, replied the body, Il
thank you for your courteous intent,
hut shall not leave this body of yours.
now that have obtained possession of
il. It's rare chance, good sir, chance
that does not come more than once in
a lifetime of poor ghost, 10 find an
untcnanted body awaiting an owner.
Your awkward position distresses me
lgrievously, but as you seem to think
have been happy and contented here,
there is no reason why you should not
experience the same feelings when oc-
cupyirg my old position"
But, squire" pleaded the spirit, In
piteous entreaty, "it isn't right. lap
peal to your sense of honor. Now, is
it?"
The body waved its hand blandly.
II think that is outside the question
at issue. SIR" IL said. "You evidently
did not attach much Importance orvalue
TO your body, or you would not have
been so ready TO leave II. Mind you, al
though ] now. have "A local habtation
and a name, as Will hath it, my own po-