The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-08-18

| hSuL,
They were the eyes of the Wake
Head
l began TO grow alarmed, dcspit
myself. Could the cursed Thin. b
acting on my brain? Was l In DANCE
of madness? But no; what folly,
would not look upon it. | would ayoi,
gazing out of the window. For
week | would not let my eyes fall up
on 1t. But 1t was not without an ef
fort. experienced veritabIe tugs a
times. pulling me around to look a
the WaXen Head. But | resisted
At Last one night 1 was returnin;
| home just after dark. The window
was not lighted: l was safe. Just a.
reached the front Of the shop lamp
lighter touched Il street lamp near nv
The flame shot from the jet. the lish,
fell upon the window. Starting on,
Of the darkness | saw the mockine
Head.
l could not restrain myself. en-.
tered the shop. determined to make
the owner remove the hideOlls Thing.
AS l crossed the threshold a SNUG fell
low advanced, bowling, smirking. and
rubbing his hands. x
What can l do for you. sir?"
Nothing said I; that is. nothing
in the-what a very singular head you
have there in the Window
'Do you think So sir:'
"Yes. Can 1t be possible that 1t IS
Of any use to your
"Oh, yes: it serves to attract Gus
toners, and to display wigs And
then. you know, it is one Of the acces-
sorics of our business"
But" said I. hotly, "why do you
not have bust? You certainly should
have a bust" He was staring ut me.
l went on more calmly: Besides,
with bust, handsome pair Of shoul-
dcrs, 4 necklace. or something Of the
kind, your window would look much
more attractive.'
Very true, sir" he replied, "but
such things cost money, and money,
SIR. is something not very plentiful in
this shop"
| grew excited again. l could not
help it. Il do not care" said /; that
object there looks like genuine head
"A human head. There are people
whom such things affect A nervous
shock might be caused-'
He burst into roar OF laughter.
| changed my tone. l became hum
Die. l admitted that the head pro-
luced sinister impression on me- and
begged him to remove it,
Why" said he, "if you are SO ner-
'ous, yon had better change your
odgingS. 1t is easy to do that l do |
Tot see why l should injnre my bust
less on account Of your whims'
He was right. l could not rightfully
SIX him to do 1t. But change my
n bitter jest. l could
ot pay for those had. much less Sc
ure new ones, with payment in ad-
ancc required. l went out detected
V. my head bent. and left the Thing
till in the window. And yet they call
le ferocious
But my torture was only begun.
he barber told his neighbors Of my
isit. l became a show for the gig
ling shop-keepers. They would keep
-atch for my goings and comings, and
hen I passed the window with
verted face, they would chuckle and
lccr. Even the little children would
Oint their fingers ut me, and their
lildish trebles would join the sneer
g laughter of the elder fools.
wonder l did not do murder then.
One day my friend Arnold came to
e me-thc only friend I had in the
eat city. He brought good news
, had secured place for me as clerk
an office. The pay was wretchedly
nall, but it was place. could
I'VE wept for joy. pressed Arnold's :
md convulsively. and thanked him
few men are thanked. ! was to
ke the place in two days. He left
e nappy man.
The next evening l was seated in
Y room. 1t was cold, and l was
iverng. for l had no fire. 1t was i
e twentieth Of February. Oh. yes. |
the date. can never for
t it. AS sat there, thinking over j
Y unexpected good fortune, and
nching myself, partly to keep warm =
d partly to be sure l was awake, l I,
ard knock. l opened the door. A :
ter. l unfolded it and read: !.
Dear Strive regret to inform you
at the position which was secured -
r you in our employ by Mr.. Arnold ;,
no longer vacant. 1t has been filed :,
the appointment of relative Of :,
e of the members of the firm. Yours g
~ truly, - -" Fl
crumpled the letter convulsively .
my hand. The room began to whirl :,
ound me. l staggered and fell to Y
; floor. Fl
When I recovered my senses new "
d strange light fell upon my dazed W
ns. The curtain was drawn, but n
II the light came through. Mechani- fl
ly 1 pulled aside the curtain to see p,
y r.