The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-01-16
MY OWN DECEASE.

vi I wv N DECEAOE.
Although undoubtedly | had been
very III. am by no means certain OF
my facts at about this time; so wheth-
err was victim OF little too much
indulgence In the flowing bowl. or OF
lively Imagination. or Of a hypnotic
trance. really cannot say. anyway,
one morning | seemed to be conscious
that was talking with a demon, who
sat by my bedside. lie was very
pleasant sort OF fellow and not bad
looking. but somehow 1 knew that he
was demon.
would you like to hear what they
are saying about you and go to your
own funeraly" he asked pleasantly.
People generally do attend thar
ceremony personally" suggested:
then after moments reflection.
asked: "Am | dead them
"Of course. Did you not know III"
"If | did II must have escaped my
memory" replied imperturbably.
"Well. you are dead. but | viii give
you the remarkable power OF going
among your family In the spirit aud
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 requlreY'
"None. The penalty you will pay
will be sufficient reward to me-"
what penaltyY'
"'ro see yourself as others see you.
and hear what they say OF you
My friend thea demateriallzed him
self into thin pale air, and the next
moment ! was gliding nolselessly down
the stairs.
| should explain TO you that | am
an orphan. without parents but Il
member OF a large family; sisters,
brothers, cousins and all the rest Of Il.
L. happen TO have more money than
any OF the others. and have hitherto
been much sought after ON account OF
my excellent personal qualities. l
am not married. Well. the fact Is.
am OF rather retiring dlsposl ton.
and not having yet come across girl
who would help me out with the pre-
llminarics. | had not found courage TO
take the fatal plunge. My eldest sis
ter. Priscilla. had therefore been keep
Ing house for me.
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 were waiting break.
fast FOR some Important person who
had not yet made his appearance. |
was foolish enough TO think Ii might
be myself and sat down In my Gus
tomary scat at the foot OF the table
but OF course. no one saw me. | had
forgotten for the moment that | was
a demateriallzed spirit Soon, how
ever. the door opened and the lmpor
tant individual entered the apart
ment II was my eldest brother Tom
Now ! began to understand. He was
my executor and res!duary legatee.
He represented me. the late Crawley
/ Slowqulcker. Esq. deceased. hence al
the court and Difference paid to him
This was absurd, you know, for 8
bigger fool never lived.
Well. he made straight for my chair
and SAT- down where was sitting
This was stepping into my shoes witt
a actually usurping IN,
same place occupied by my dlsembod
led spirit Tom was bulky fellow
and | felt the affront Besides. wish
Ing better TO watch the proceedings
| got up quickly and sat behind m,
chair.
Two things especially attracted m,
attention. and somewhat shocked me
In the hrst place. Priscilla's presidln,
seemed more lavish than under M,
regime. and In the second. | was strucl
by the happiness and gayety OF III
whole company. This ]as calculates
TO take my faulty down few peg.
Tor | had fondly imagined that m
death would plunge my entire famil
In the uttermost depths. OF despair
But Il hadn't
Il never like going into black" Pri.
ella was saying in her even tones I
Aunt Gwen, ITS so very unlucky"
Il don't mind the change at all.
SAID Aunt Gwen. "the color just suit
me. you know. But | really can
tell what orders 10 give. not know
Ing how am provided for"
That's as good as asking sal
Tom. with one OF his horrible laugh
which used to consider so heart
"A mods rs good as wink 10 a bin
horse. suppose the regular thing
to read the will after the funeral. bl
as it's all among ourselves II doesn
matter. and IN read II to all direct
after breakfast"