The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-08-04

l. nllcllOu IitI CIlHdt utl llNet
three-score and tn years in the quie
village of Avles orouSh. He was
man Of unb. .emi>hel character, wa.
known to be very wealthy, and live,
In an unpretentions manner. He wa:
apsychist, and his rather peculiar
religious views were the cause of many
heated arguments among those of hi,
friends whom he considered it hi
duty to instruct in the mysteries o
his chosen faith. He fully believed
that when the time should come fol
him to put on Immortality" he wonld
be received on the next plane by a
host of bright spirits. AS he was
charitable, owed no man anght that
he could not pay, had kept the com
maudments aud had been as nearly as
possible what the world calls an mp
right man, he believed that a recep-
ton o. unusual grandeur awaited him.
Notwithstanding this assurance, he
seemed to prefer deferring his journey
to the ever green shore as long as
possible, for real or imaginary pain
in the region of his heart one day
caused the good man to make rather
hurried visit to physician OF his ac-
quaintance.
DIR. Elwell was one among the list
of possible converts to his spiritual
istic doctrine, and as Philemon en-
terel his Office he Immediately cast
about for an excuse whereby he might,
il possible, avoid the expected lecture.
But there was troubled look on his
old friends face that quite disarmed
him, and few moments later Dir. FL
wells head was pressed against his
side in listening attitude. AS he
listened, instead of hearing the heart
pulsaiions, as he expecte |, he heard
music!
He raised his heal and looked
about, but could no longer hear if.
Once more he pressed his ear against
Fhilemon's heart, AMI once more he
heard the same sweet strain. The
music sounded like tho soft tones Of
his own piano, as he had heard his
daughter playing e'ore leaving the
house, which stood about 20 yards
distant
The doctor Wake to the door and
listened, but heard no sound. He
looked toward the house, but there
was nothing unusual in that direction
BY the time the thoroughly puzzled
physician had listened, first at the
front, then at the back door Of the
Office, alternately pressing his ear
against Philemon side, he had aroused
the old mans curiosity.
anything peculiar about it, doc
tor?'
"a little unusual, surely"
"Unusual?''
Il Imagine l hear music"
well, doctor, l believe there is to
% show in town. l suppose they
are having street parade"
The physician hesitated. If he ey-
planned he feared lecture on the su-
pernatural. If lie did not explain he
felt that he was deceiving an innocent
man.
Philemon continued, II hope that
IL Will not prove serious, though l
suffer considerably at times, and
thought best not to neglect it.
"Y-es."
You seem undecided"
II never had case of this kind |
before! l think there must be some
mistake, but certainly hear music
every time l press my ear to your
heart," )" he replied, half fearing an ex-
pianation of the mystery from his pa
uents standpoint, and preparing to
aefend his own belief against all spir-
'tualistic delusion.
fn!lemon was silent. He looked |
searchlngly into the doctors eyes, helf
expecting to see twinkle of merri-
ment, but there was nothing of the
kind. Indeed, his honest face wore a
troubled expression quite convincing
to the patient.
rniiemon pointed across the street.
call him."
a moment later DR.. Elwell was ex-
plaininy to his brother physician the
usual occurrence, and together they
sought an explanation; bat to no pur-
POSE Or. Grey heard muse when his
saf rested against Philemon's side, as
us friend had heard il.
serious expression rested on the
usually happy countenace of their Pa
Nen' as he prepared to depart. Hel
arose, pulled his hat over his eyes,
sna walked out as feebly rs though
N ue had grown ten years older. Both
physicians were as puzzled over the
apparent effect of their communication
- they were as to the origin of the
s"eet =. strains. Philemon walkel down
.ne : tSlllagc, street like a man in
lream. : A neighbor spoke socially as
- NC passed, but the old man did not
near He catered his house, meciian-
,eaily drew aschair sbefore the open
nfe, seated him. elf and rested his
4: mead in his handS His dog stretched
1'mSeif at his feet. occasionally open