The Somerset reporter., 1900-10-04

search. There had been no conceal
ment. The mummy occupied a con-
spicuous position. They had caught
me red handed In a way, and yet they
could not understand why | had been
so open about It,
"My dear sir" | said to the official. 81
know the laws of Egypt. am not
dealing in mummies. The law does
not say may not restore a dead man
TO life. At this present hour that thing
there is a mummy. Tonight at 8 o'clock
II will be living man."
what nonsense Is this? exclaimed
the man as he struck the coffin with
his cane. DO you think | am a child
to believe such talesY
II think you are very smart man."
| replied. but there is yet something
TO learn. Read of Sonadi Hassassan.
He was the greatest magician the
world ever knew. He 1t was who made
the Nile flow backward for q day.
When he had lived for 1000 years. he
became weary for the want of sleep.
He fell in'o a trance which was not to
be broken for 1000 years. The time Is
up at 8 o'clock tonight"
And he will come back to lifer
Queried the man. with an incredulous
smile.
"He will. You and your friends will
be here to see. had read of him. and
was anxious to get his body. paid n
large price for 1t that | may see it re-
stored to life with my own eyes"
The Egyptians natural superstition
and my earnestness staggered the man,
and when | saw 1t / clinched the mat
ter by saying:
ut Is only few hours to wait. You
shall dine with me at O'clock. AT 8
my assistant shall unwrap Hassassan
and bring him to life. Let two of your
soldiers watch the coffin meanwhile. If
things don't turn out as say, you shall
carry me off prisoner and have 500 in
gold as present"
$50 be It," he said after long look
at me- but do not attempt to trick me-
| am no fool"
Two soldiers were left to watch the
coffin. and in my hearing he warned
them that any remissness on their part
would be followed by swift punish
ment. My living rooms were over the
warerooms. When the dinner hour ar
rived had the official and two of his
friends to sit down with me. All three
of the men had made up their minds
that | was playing a game of bluff
and they had curiosity to know how
| was going to carry it through. Fifty
dollars would have bribed any of them
to shut his eyes for year. but in this
case they had received their orders d.
rect from the minister and dared not
trifle with him. They drank sparingly
of the wine that they might keep their
heads clear. but grew sufficiently good
natured to hope that might get out of
the trouble without serious loss.
"Therp will be no trouble" | replied
with calm assurance. "Sonadi Hassas-
san has had his sleep and will return
to life. and the government will prob
ably reward me for restoring such a
celebrated man to earth. Come, gen.
tlemen. it is time"
The soldiers had been sitting before
the coffin for hours. My assistant was
on hand and ready, and we lost no
time In getting to work. The coffin
was tilted up on end. the body lifted
forward so that it could be got at, and
the wraps were soon removed. | knew
that the mummy was a live man, but
never had | looked upon the face of a
subject showing death and the passage
Of time more plainly. The face would
have deceived the wisest professor in
Europe There were the sunken eyes
and cheeks. the loss of teeth and the
seal brown color. and | found myself
wondering If some mistake hadn't been
made. The official and his friend quiet
ly chuckled as the business proceeded.
and my assistant villain was the only
one who was perfectly placid He
did not hurry his work. He was a
full half hour getting down to the last
wrapping. which was a sort of union
garment made for the occasion. Then
he stepped back with flourish, picked
up a stick and, striking three blows
on the coffin. he called out:
at is time. Sonadi Hassassan; 1t Is
time"
The chest of the mummy began to
heave and its eyes to 6utter. Then
came long breath and its eyes unclos
ed. The soldiers bolted from the ware
house In alright, and the three men re
treated several PAGES In CONSERVATION
Very slowly and without a false mo
ton the mummy gasped and stretched
and looked about. A hand went up to
rub sleep from Its eyes. Then 1t moved
uneasily and presently stepped from
the coffin. Strengthened up and passed
out of the door into the night with
slow and dignified steps.
"Wellp | queried as | turned to the
dumfounded trio.
They stood staring with open mouths.
and | had to put hands on them before
they came back to earth
Did not tell you so? Did not say
that after a sleep Of 1000 years the
great magician would return to life7"
They did not answer, but with pale
faces and chattering teeth they totter-
ed ont into the darkness with a mighty
fear upon them. | had the agency for
two years longer. and there was a con-
tinuous boom in the mummy market.
but after that incident there was never
an official inspection Of my stock. The
officials could not have been hired for
money to poke about In the dark cor
ners.