The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-02-24

bliafu uolhtlthhlt over tNt ftIhltu IukH
politely anticipating the wants Of each
guest.
As Judge Townsend took his position
and glanced around at the intelligent
and refined faces OF his coterie ~
friends. his heart swelled with pride;
every man present was a Judge and
several had attained 70 higher hOnOrs
One was an associate justice Of the
United States supreme court. One
served his country as secretary ~
state; several Of them we're judges u
the supreme courts. and all were men
of marked ability. a group which any
man might be proud 10 call friends.
The banquet continued until the
small hours, and wit and humor
flashed from the brains Of these elo-
quent warriors Of the bench-all the
more enjoyable because entirely i'm
promptu.
The Hon Z. s. Justice had the repu-
tation OF being famous story teller.
and during a lull Ia the conversation
was urged by his friend. Judge D..
10 give one Of his characteristic vest
ern sketches. 10 which he responded
with his usual bon-homle. calling forth
rousing encore.
As he rose 20 bow In response % the
encore, he paused a moment before re-
seating himself and raising his hand
10 request silence. said. In a humorous
ly impressive manner:
Fellow judges ad friends. our cs-
teemed host has put up a Job on us
We shall one Of Us be- q sp0ok before
the end Of the year-there are thirteen
AZ this table. We call upon Judge
Townsend 10 explain himself and tell
US how he daros defy the laws ~ super
stltion and thus publicly declare his
unbellef in spooks and their vista
tions."
A chorus Of voices arose for an OK
PLANTATION from their host. and Judge
Townsend, rising TO his feet. glanced
round the table al the smiling faces of
his guests, then bowling TO his accuser.
said. In reply:
Your honor, IN giving my invita-
tIons ! have evidently forgotten 10 In
clude myself. therefore ! am number
thirteen; but In response 10 the accu-
sation which you have seen NJ 10 make
against me will relate a few incidents
in my own lie history. which. ! trust.
viii sufficiently explain my present In
difference 70 all danger OF ghostly ylsl-
tations.
II have a friend who r. more 10 me
even than a brother; We were born In
the same town. the estates Of our faith
ers Joined. and not a day Of our boy
hood was passed that we dld not see
each other; between us existed the
most perfect harmony OF mind. al
though We differed widely in person.
Horace was dark. strong. powerfully
built, full Of life and yIgor, while was
blonde, delicate. by no means physical
~ strong and somewhat timld.
u owe my present physical strength
10 Horace, for he encouraged me IN
athletic sports and laughed me out Of
my umidity, and when We went away
TO college together. / was almost II not
quite his peer.
Il will pass over our college lie by
simply saying that as usual. we aided
and assisted each other and graduated
IN the same class
Together We discussed almost every
theme which was presented FOR arru-
ment and among other things the SUI
peuatural was often touched upon by
us.
zone day Horace ast0nishcd me by
asserting that he believed In some rare
instances God In his goodness and
mercy allowed the souls Of his earthly
children who were 20 be taken away
SUDDENLY. with some duty unpcrformoI
or some warning unald. 10 wander 20
VIII over the earth and finish that
work before they were translated 'o
heaven, whence he thought there was
no return.
81 pooh-hoocd at him. as ! always
ala when our conversation touched
upon the powers " The SOUL but Hor-
ace was in earnest and said io mo. very
impre5sivoly John, fully believe lf
knew ] must dIu and earnestly prayed
90 see you once more should ho grant
od permission 10 mu.hiaio space and
De visible TO YOU, 90 least
Don't talk t0 mo about dying when
both of uH arc luuu. s. healthy ar..I.
mems of young manhood a there aU