The Opelousas courier., 1900-09-08

Amzle; / cannot say whether it b
true, but you al come to me if the,
misuse you. They dare not, sirl The,
dare not!" he shouted, excitedly.
He pulled the chair toward a rattle
%antiquated desk, and wrote sever a
words on a slip of paper.
Take this to Richard, my boy. I
my heart is weak I must save steps;
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 dool
bounded outward. A few moment
later he returned, with the gardener
closely following.
"You sent for me? Annie brought
the note"
eyes, Richard; I want you to bring
a lawyer here at once. He must be
the first n you can find. I am in q
great hurryl" And the man hurried
away.
When the lawyer arrived he found
Philemon seated before the desk, bust
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.
II have concluded, sir, that a man
who has lived as long in this world as
L 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 acluieseed, politely re-
marking that he hoped it might be
many years first, and Philemon con-
tinuei, 81 have a large estate to dis
pose OF. I also have a few distant rela-
tlves; not n among them would, from
genuine sorrow, shed q 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 l 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 heaven ahead of time. I
wish to leave him in the care of nv
gardener, Richard Jenkins. He is
faithful, and Amzie is fond of him, 7
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 well cared for. In ompensa-
ton for these services I will place at
his disposal $1,000 the first year, and
it shall be 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 a grin
OF satisfaction, as the lawyer rapidly
transferred the old mans wishes to
paper.
He then explained infinitely how
and what the dog was to be fed, and he
wished Richard to 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
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
Philemon seemed to have for
that he usually ate q hearty
meal at this hour. Amzie, as usual.
lay at his masters feet, occasionally
cooking upward and emphasizing the
TACT Of his presence by the same loud
Of his tail.
The old man remained in this posi-
ion for some time. He was thinking
the years that had passed since his
wife had been taken from him. and
low he believed the time short until
should meet her. Save for those
Who ministered to his comfort. and
we're paid for their services, he had
ived alone, with only the companion
hip of a dog. Annie was the third
that had enjoyed the privilege
# lying at his. feet
"The time lssoshort," he thought
loud, and Amzie Immediately bounded
his side.
"You are in the L bit of going with
ae for q walk at this spur, sir. Come
long; 7 have a %strsggge GRAND to do
Without furthe7 conversation with
lis dumb companion Philemon walked
up the street until he reached
he village furniture and undertaking
establishment Here he paused as
somewhat undecided whether
Q enter. A dim light burned in the
ear OF the store, though the front re-
lained in darkness. Finally Phile-
entered the dimIy lighted build
ag in q hesitating manner The pro-
came out of the back room, and
pom recognizing his visitor cordially
telcomed him.
When he had selected q coffin and
directions as to how he wished
trimmed, he left the astonished nm
ertaker and walked toward the home
{ 9 fellow-psychist. j
After seriously considering the mat
u. Philemon had decided to visit ]
man and explain the state of his
regarding the spiritual phe-.
omena, as he was pleased to consider
occurrence in the doctors Office
lat morning. His friend listened at
'ntivaly until he had finished; then !,
. laughed. /,
sIf you neither saw nor heard any. !
ing unusual yourself, my opinion is /,
lat those physicians were playing a !
Ike on you, was the unsatisfactory !
ply. And the matter seemed to have I