The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-06-22
HIS REAPPEARANCE.

Sug race than exists among ngyioultur1sts
Of ssy other region, had bosn netghbors
from childhood upward ..s
Peter Prince had remained unmarried,
that superinteDdencs Of tho concerns Of q
farm which falls 10 pctticost sovarnment
being under the management Of sistor.
John Horner had taken wife " ruIo over
his butter and cheese, his children and
perhaps himself. Notwithstanding this
aissimilitude Of condition, the friends con-
tinued their ancient attachment. smoked
thsir pipes together, talked OF past times
and specuIated on the future.
Hornor WAS Of more irritable tempera-
ment than Prince. and bis anxiety 70 pry
into the secrets Of the world unknown
was proportionately greater. One even
ing, when the subject was under discussion,
hs thus addressed bis friend:
"Petsr, though you NOOK at ghosts
end the notion Of the spirits Of ths de-
ceased returning TO vidt the friends they
have lsft behind and the scenes which were
dear 70 chem whom In the ncsh, have
never heard from you or any Other person
an argument wbioh convinced mo Of the
impossibdlity Of such visits, o. even Of ths
tsnprobabiiity of the souls Of tho departed
bsaps psrDittsd 70 hover sbout places and
psesons dsssSvedly dear 70 them. and Of
sppsaYing and giving salutayy warning.
either BY agns or words, Of approaching
death and tbs necspsity Of due prepara-
tiou."
Peter Prince laughed, and after knock.
Ing the ashes out Of his pipe he thus I'd.
dressed his friend: -!
"0ivs me tho tobacco, John. I never
ssid IL was not 20. only say oansot
oomprehsnd how 10 can be. Give me .
coal Of fre. cannot reach tho tongs."
"There may and certainly do exist Q
great many things beyond our limited com.
Drehsnsion," said John, landing tho tongs.
:. "Trus, true" sejoined Peter aftr fsw
whins "lnay believe much thst cAnDo@
oemprshend. but cannot bslisvs In that
which oontradicts sil I know. But we
have talked this matter over often enough,
and We shall know no moro Of 10 until we
have passed from this TO another state OF
existence"
"Until one or OTHER Of M has left this
world" said John very solemnly. "Then
perhaps the privilege may be granted. I"
Horner paused.
"What do you meanf" asked Prince.
II am thinking" said Horper very de.
Hberately, "that az one Of US Will probably
be removed before the other and have the
knowledge 20 thirst after given to him
he might be permitted TO return and i'm.
part 1t 70 his friend"
"Very well, John Horner," said Peter,
laughing. II promise that II go flrst
will come and tell you all about 1t II
can, and, John, you must promise the
same neighborly Office in regard to me II
1t Is your first turn"
II dol" said Horner sOlemnly.
Here we drop the colloquy and proceed
to the denouement Of our story with as
much brevity as possible, being convinced
that brevity Is the soul of q story as well
as of wit.
Peter died in the presence of his friend,
II not in his arms, and with his character
istic hardihood, almost with his last
breath, after recommending his sister to
Horner's care, reminded him of the en-.
gagement they had entered into, conclud-
ing:
"It is my turn to know first, and here
solemnly renew my promise"
The death of his friend was heavy
blow to Horner. He became melancholy.
His thoughts dwelt upon future state
moro than ever. He feared that he and
his friend had been wrong In entering up
on such q contract. He looked to see q
spiritual visitor or to hear from the world
whose secrets he had so daringly asked to
have displayed to him. He feared now what
he had so earnestly wished. Solitude be-
came irksome to him, and he dreaded
sleep, excepting that In the night, when
spirits wander until the cock Growing calls
them to the prison house, the ghost of his
friend would announce the fatal secret OF
his condition and summon him to partici-
pate. John fell sick and disclosed to his
wife the compact he had entered into with
Peter.
Now, Mrs. Horner was woman little
given to speculations Of any kind. She at
tended TO her duties, worked hard, scold
ed sometimes harder; went to church reg
ularly and had little anxiety respecting an
other state of being. She laughed at John,
and, it Is said, called him and his friend
Peter couple of old blockheads for max
ing such a dangerous agreement. We
shall see whether she or her husband was
right.
Horner's illness made 1t necessary to
seek his bed long before the household
cares Of his helpmate permitted her to
think Of rest. Suddenly he heard his name
prOuOuuCcu SOlcIHHly, duu oHTiCc Jonu
Horner" was repeated. The curtains were
drawn aside, and there stood Peter In flow
ing robes, unlike his former guise, and
much changed even In countenance, but
still IL was Peter Prince. Horner gazed
upon his former friend and tried to ask
for the important communication, but he
could only say:
"Speak!'
He then saw the vision bend toward the
floor, and, rising, pronounce the inysteri-
Gus words:
ut might have been better. It might
have been worse!"
Horner started up In bed, exclaiming,
"Stay, tell me more!" but the vision was
gone, and he saw his wife, standing, with
a bowl In her hand.
"As live, saw him r' exclaimed the
sick man.
"Saw who?" asked Mrs. Horner.
peter Prince!"
"Nonsensev'
"As plain as sec you. He stood Just
where you now are"
"Well, what did he sayY" said the dame
HE called thrice: John HornerY John
Hornerl John Horncrp He bowed low,