Morris tribune., 1903-05-09
THE TREE GHOST

jacques had just committed an
awful deed, a fearful crime-in
short, a murder so far he fell
no remorse. It happened in this
way:
He was not naturally cruel OF
wlcked-only quick tempered and
lmpulsive. A law student, diIigent
and thorough, philosopher imbued
with Schopenhauer, he led dreary
life, lacked money, gave lessons and
scarcely kept soul and body togeth-
er. The burden began to weigh
heavily on him, and at times he felt
an angry revolt against his circum-
stances, a dissatisfaction that might
and did, as we shall see, lead him to
the lowest depths Of infamy.
One summer evening, hungry and
penniless, raging at the thought of
pleasure party planned for the
morrow, which he must give up for
want of little money, he walked
beyond the city gates, and at about
8 o'clock he found himself on a
long and lonely road which stretch,
ed straight on till it was lost in the
dusky gloom.
Then, like an evil omen, there
came heavy crash of thunder, and
great drops of rain began to fall.
Jacques did not fear the storm ex-
cept as concerned his clothing and
his health. He did not wish to spoil
his garments or catch an expensive
attack of pneumonia. No shelter;
to the right, as to the left, barren
plain. At last by good fortune he
spied a tree standing alone, a crook
ed, twisted apple tree. The tired
man crouched under its branches.
The fury of the storm redoubled.
Everything, even nature, seemed
against poor Jacques. Chilly, soak
ed, exasperated, he shook his fist in
the air as the rain fell down like
threads of steel.
fssSuch weather, such weather.
After little a second person came
grumbling up to lean against the
tree, withhis back to Jacques, whom
he had not perceived. The new
conner seemed to. be a little tipsy,
for he rambled on aloud in a husky
voice:
''This is fine! Those fellows play
ed me a pretty trick in driving off
with my carriage and leaving me to
walk home alone with all this mon
ey in my pocket
Jacques, hearing these fatal words
and yielding to the temptation of
his evil passion, fell upon the stran-
ger, strangled him and emptied his
purse. This accomplished, he turn
ed toward home.
The apple tree, which had not
budged during this incident, began
to follow him.
It is not customary occurrence
for an apple tree to follow a man,
and therefore Jacques cannot be
accused of weakness if we admit
that he felt little surprise. Hear
ing the roots sliding behind him, he
turned and beheld the tree, dark
shadow on the darkness.
Il am nervous" he thought. cit
IS a fancyp
He continued to walk, and the
rec continued to follow him.
Either | have gone mad" said |
Jacques, Cor this manifestation is
IN inexplicable freak Of nature.
But I shall soon know, for when ]
get into the city the people will not
ct an apple tree go by without max
ng some remark.
But the people passed and made
10 remarks, and the tree did not
appear to mind them.
Jacques meditated.
"Well, them" he continued, 1T
s certain that this apple tree is
,isible form Of remorse, such as
3anquo's ghost was to Macbeth and
he commander to Don Juan, but
his hallucination is the more sin
,ular because I feel no remorse at
IL. The tree seems to disregard
eceiyed tradition. Never mind. l
lave got some money. After a
lights rest my tree will have dis
He quickened his step not to es-
ape from his apple tree, but be-
ause he was weary and longed for
epose. Before the door he won
cred if the apple tree would enter.
Ie even felt kind Of interest about
on account Of the narrowness OF
he hall, fearing the branches might
e broken. He rang, went in, and