Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-07-25

misuse you. They dare not, sir! They
dare not!" he shouted, excitedly.
He pulled the chair toward q rathe I
antiquated desk, and wrote sever al
words on q slip of paper.
''Take this to Richard, my boy. II
my heart is weak I must save steps; I
have heard that walking is injurious
if one suffers with heart disease"
The dog took the note in his mouth,
and as Philemon opened the door
bounded outward A few moments
later he returned, with the gardener
closely following.
''You sent for me? Amzie brought
the note"
eyes. Richard; I want you to bring
q lawyer here at once. He must be
the first one you can find. I am in a
great hurry!" And the man hurried
away.
When the lawyer arrived he found
Philemon seated before the desk, busi-
ly engaged in arranging his business
papers. One drawer after another had
been emptied, and the contents heaped
in considerable confusion before him.
He welcomed the lawyer, and pro-
ceeded to explain why he called him.
81 have concluded, sir, that.a man
who has lived as long in this world as
I have ought to properly arrange
matters before leaving for the next;
therefore, I have sent for you to DO
the work for me-"
The lawyer acquiesced, politely re-
marking that he hoped it might be
many years first, and Philemon con-
tinued,s L have large estate to dis
pose OF. I also have few distant rela-
tives; not one among them would, from
genuine sorrow, she'd tear at my
grave; but this faithful fellow will
mourn" Here he once more caressed
the dog: 81 want him properly cared
for during his life, If he survive me
and / have good reason to believe that
he will; and as either one of the ras-
cally set who claim relationship to me-
would, in all probably. assist him in
reaching dog-heaTen ahead of time, I
wish to leave him III the care of my
ggarslensr Richare JenEeins. is
faithful, and Amzie is fond OF him. +
wish him to understand that this
room, with all it contains, is to be re-
served for the use of the dog. The
remaining portion of the house is to
be used by his own family, and Amzie
is to be we'll cared for. In compensa-
ton for these services I will place at
his disposal $1,000 the first year, and
it shall lie increased 5000 each year
that my pet shall live. A sure incen-
tive for Richard to see that he has
good care" he remarked, with grin
of satisfaction, as the lawyer rapidly
the old mans wishes to
paper.
He then explained minutely how
and what the dog was to be fed, and he
wished Richard 10 understand that
though he often stretched himself be-
fore the fire, at times he enjoyed lying
on the broad sofa, which must be left
for his use alone.
The lawyer smiled indulgently, and
continued to write until the rather
peculiar document was finished.
Soon afterward the will was proper
" signed and witnessed, the lawyer
had gone, and Philemon was once
more seated before the fire.
The evening shadows were length
ening. Philemon seemed to have for
gotten that he usually ate hearty
meal at this hour. Amzie, as usual,
lay at mis- masters feet, occasionally
looking upward and emphasizing the
fact of his presence by the same loud
rap of his tail.
The old man remained in this posi-
ton for some time. He was thinking
Of the years that had passed since his
wife had been taken from him, and
now he believed the time short until
be should meet her. Save for those
who ministered to his comfort, and
were paid for their services, he had
lived alone, with only the companion
ship of dog. Amzie was the third
nastiff that had enjoyed the privilege
Of lying at his feet.
''The time is short" he thought
aloud, and Amzie Immediately bounded
TO his side.
"You are in the habit of going with
me for walk at this hour, sir. Come
along. I have strange errand to do
tonight"
Without further conversation with
his dumb companion Philemon walked
slowly up the street until he reached
the village furniture and undertaking
establishment Here he paused as
though somewhat undecided whether
to enter. A dim light burned in the
rear of the store, though the front re-
NAMED in darkness. Finally Phile-
mon entered the dimly lighted build
ing in a hesitating manner. The pro-
prietor came outof the back room, and
upon recognizing his visitor cordially
welcomed him.
When he had selected coffin and
given directions as to bow he wished
it trimmed, he left the astonished un-
dertaker and walked toward the home
of fellow-psychist.
After seriously considering the mat
ter, Philemon had decided to visit
this man and explain the state of his
feelings regarding the spiritual phe-
as lie was pleased to consider
the occurrence in the doctors office
that morning. His friend listened at
tentiyely until he had finished; then
he laughed.
eff you neither saw nor heard any.
thing unusual yourself, my opinion is
that those physicians were playing o
joke on you," was the unsatisfactory
reply. And the matter seemed to have
O little less serious an aspect to Phile-
mon, though he had gone too far, and
arranged his earthly affairs prepare
tory to entering tho noTt world With
too much genuine absissy, TO usas "
Stat tbs ArBt inuah fPeA his fvtsai,