The Opelousas courier., 1900-09-08
A MUSICAL HEART.
BY IDA ESTELLA- r, SMITH.

In an unpretentlous manner. He was
a psychist, and his rather peculiar
religious views were the cause of many
heated arguments among those of his
friends whom he considered it his
duty to instruct in the mysteries of
his chosen faith. He fully believed
that when the time should come for
him to put on immortality" he would
be received on the next plane by q
host of bright spirits. As he was
charitable, owed no man aught that
be could not pay, had kept the COM
mandments aud had been as nearly as
possible what the world calls an up
right man, he believed that a recep-
ton of unusual grandeur awaited him.
Notwithstanding this assurance, he
seemed to prefer deferring his journey
to the Evergreen shore as long as
possible, for q real or imaginary pain
in the region of his heart one day
caused the good man to make a rather
hurried visit to a physician OF his &C.
quaintance.
DR.. Elwell was one among the list
of possible converts to his spiritual
istic doctrine, and as Philemon en-
tered his Office he Immediately cast
about for an excuse whereby he might,
If possible, avoid the expected lecture.
But there was a troubled look on his
old friends face that quite disarmed
him, and a few moments later DR.. FL
wells head was pressed against his
side in q listening attitude. As he
listened, instead of hearing the heart
pulsations, as he expected, he heard
music!
He raised his head and looked
about, but could no longer hear il.
Once more he pressed his ear against
Philemon's heart, and once more he
heard the same sweet strain. The
music sounded like the soft tones of
his own piano, as he had heard his
daughter playing before leaving the
house, which stood about 20 yards
distant.
The doctor walked 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's side, he had aroused
the old mans curiosity.
Anything peculiar about it, doc
"a little unusual, surely"
"Unusual?"
81 imagine I hear music"
"Well, doctor, I believe there is to
be q show in town. I suppose they
are having a street parade"
The physician hesitated. If he ex-
he feared a lecture on the SUI
pernatural. If he did not explain he
felt that he was deceiying an innocent
nan.
Philemon continued, ST hope that
It will not prove serious, though 1
suffer considerably at times, and
.hought best not to neglect it."
eyes"
"You seem undecided"
81 never had q case of this kind
] think. there must be some
mistake, but I certainly hear music
very time I press my ear to your
he replied, half fearing ad ex-
'lanation of the mystery from his pa
tents standpoint, and preparing to
lefend his own belief against all spir-
tualistic delusion.
Philemon was silent. He looked
into the doctors eyes, half
xpecfing to see a twinkle of merri-
lent, but there was nothing of the
ind. Indeed, his honest face wore a
roubled expression quite convincing
the patient.
Philemon pointed across the street.
II g DR.. Grey oyer there. Please J
all him." {
A moment later DR.. Elwell was ex-
to his brother physician the !
snal Occurrences, and together they
an explanation; but to NO pur- J
ose. Dr. Grey heard music when his ,
rested against Philemon's side, as !
is friend had heard it. s
A serious expression rested on the y
happy countenace of their pa 9
ent as he prepared to depart. He
rose, pulled his hat over his eyes. o
nd walked out as feebly as though :
9 had grown TN years older. Both
hysicians werS!!as puzzled over the .
pparent effect oil their communication q
J they were as ito the origin Of the .
veet strains. Philemon walked down
10 village street like q man in b
A neighbor spoke socially as s
passed, but the old man did not t
sar. He entered his house, mechan- g
ally drew q chair before the open Il
r., seated himself and rested his t,
8ad in his hands. His dog stretched r.
mself at his feet, occasionally OPEN n
g one eye to look up at his master, n
ho had failed to speak q word of vel il
and the omission had not passed p
lnoticed by the faithful brute. u
A half hour passed. Philemon "
owed uneasily, and the mastif's tail
.umped against the floor r-eassuring- 6
"Amziel" II
The dog bounded to his feet with a d
hine of pleasure. Of
Annie, my boy, ! have much to
tend to; very much, for I have this ii
y received Q Warning Il
placed his hand on the animals fe
'ad, and in . sorrowful and affection n,
9 manner caressed the only creature u
Il to him whom he believed loved Il
disinterestedly. IL
Yes, Annie. I have received q Ii,
of the approaching CHANGE.
suppose ! ought to be thankful that I'll
9 time draws near, but it is uncer- I'll
ln, after ell. You must be provided 10
I, and you shall bel The rascally re
aativnS who anvio1s1u 1880 =