Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-10-02

know the laws of Egypt. am not
dealing in mummies. The law does
not say may not restore dead man
to life. AT this present hour that thing
there is a mummy. Tonight at 8 O'Clock
it win be living man.
What nonsense is thisg' exclaimed
the man as he struck the coffin with
his cane. do you think am child
to believe such tales?"
81 think you are very smart man.
replied, but there is yet something
to learn. Read OF Sonadi Hassassan.
BE was the greatest magician the
world ever knew. He it was who made
the Nile flow backward for a day.
When he had lived for 1000 years, he
became weary for the want of Sleep
BE fell into trance which was not to
be broken for 1900 years. The time Is
up at 8 o'clock tonight
And he Will come back to lffe?''
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 u
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 it clinched the mat
ter by saying:
ut Is only few hours to wait You
shall dine with me at s o'clock. At o
my assistant shall unwrap Hassassan
| and bring him to life. Let two of your
soldiers watch the coffin meanwhile. II
things don't turn out as say. you shall
carry me OF prisoner and have 500 in
! gold MS present"
so be it, he said after long look
at me. 'but do not attempt to trick me.
1 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, l 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 n curiosity TO know how
was going to carry it through. Fifty
dollars would have bribed any of them
case they had received their orders dI-
rect from the minister and dared not
trifle with him. They drank sparlngly
of the wine that they might keep their
heads clear, but grew sufficiently good
natured to hope that l might get out OF
the trouble without serious loss.
There will be no trouble" replied,
with calm assurance. "Sonadi Hassas-
I, l., Ii
to life. and the government viii prob
ably reward me for restoring such
celebrated man to earth. Come, gem
tlemen. 1t Is time"
The soldiers had been sitting before
the coffin for hours. My assistant wus
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 We're soon removed. | knew
that the mummy was live man, but
never had 1 looked upon the face OF a
subject showing death and the passage
of time more plainly. The face would
have deceived the wlsest professor in
Europe. There were the sunken eyes
and cheeks. the loss of teeth and the
seal brown color. and found myself
wondering II 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 stick and. striking three blows
on the coffin. he called out:
''It is time, Sonadi Hassassan: it is /
time"'
The chest of the mummy began to
heave and it's eyes to hutter Then
came a long breath and Its eyes unclos-
ed. The soldiers boIted from the ware.
house in alright. and the three men re-
treated several PAGES In CONSERVATION.
Very slowly and without n false mo-
tion 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 diGnifed steps.
'Well?' l querled as turned to the
dumfounded trio.
They stood staring with open mouths,
and had to put hands on them before
they came bnck TO Garth