River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-08-06


for all classes. 1t was not, however,
until after the disintegration of my
mortal shell that the higher phase
| the equalization of the affections
presented itself to my no longer OBJ
scured mental vision. One of the most
pathetic sights to a sympathetic spir-
itualized intelligence" continued her
guest with polished monotony of tone,
SIS the observation of some worthy,
capable female soul passing through
| life unloved and unwooed."
With Neelie shifted with embarrass-
ment at this obvious personality, but
without waiting for reply from her
the speaker continued earnestly:
'When we are in this abstract state
we perceive charms where once we
would have seen none. Inspired by
motives too lofty to be understood by
one whose ideas are still in chrysalis
of clay, have arrogated to myself the
| right, nay more, the obligation to
ameliorate this deplorable state of af-
fairs"
Elegant language!" was Miss Nee
lies mental comment. Shouldn't
wonder if he'd been an exhorter or a
campaigner in his day." Then, aloud:
eff it wouldn't be presumin', sir, would
you mind tellin' me what your business
was when you went around like other
folks?"
"a perfectly natural question,
madam, considering the circumstances
and your sex. When in the bondage of
the flesh I canvassed the country set
ting forth the virtues of certain in
ternal remedy known as The Helper
to Happy Homes;' good for all nerv-
Gus affections, palpitation of the heart,
blind staggers and asthma. Unex-
celled for the cure of chilblafns and
woodworking in cases of earache!
Lady, is your little child restless at
nights and fretful, take teaspoonful
of this great specific" then recalling
himself as Miss Neelie punctuated his
speech with faint gurgle of maidenly
disclaim at so unseemly a suggestion,
-"pardon me, madam! Your polite
and defferential attention, united with
the fact that only for brief time l
have been untrammeled by the gross
ness of my earthly environment, caused
me to suffer temporary illusion and
for the nonce I believed myself again
in the flesh urging the merits of most
worthy cause. Instead, / find myself
alone and at night with one whom l
recognize as an affinity and whose
yearning heart even now cries out to
me for sympathy and consolation"
Miss Neelie, like many others, pos
sessed that singular rectitude of char
acter which is more the result of lack
of opportunity than any especial in
herent moral integrity. This delight
full temporizing with the unusual and
Improbable was as rain in the barren
desert of her experience.
The oft-hoped for and long-deferred
was here at last! She wished that the
erstwhile Widow Hoban could be wit
ness of her triumph, although she shud-
dered to think of what might be the
results of that rotund lady's ford
volubility if all the facts were made
known.
In the meantime her guest had
site side of the hearth cycling her with
spectral ardor. Miss Neelie bridled her
gray flannel shoulders with rosy CO.
quctry and impiously thanked her
guardian angel for the delay in put
ting up her hair in crimping-pins. 1t
could hardly be hoped that even so i'm
material a sutton as hers would be en-
01Nx 10
externals as crimpers. At last she
found voice again.
II believe, sir, that your intentions
are perfectly honorable, but how cao
live woman and a--and a-weh, you
get married? I don't for the life of
me see!" This last rather exp1osively,
as she felt that any allusion to her
lovers unsubstantiality was tactless,
not 10 say positively indicate.
"Cornelia," the ghost replied, ''you
wilfully misunderstood my meaning.
My soul turned and looked upon yours
and instantly knew it's correlative.
Such worthy traits of character, such
noble and beautiful mental character
istics as you possess cannot be over
Swallowed by external appearances or
dimmed by any eccenAricfties of
speech! Physical attributes have no
charm for us of the spiritualized
vision; they are looked upon as mere
carnal appendages of a fettered, intel
ligence. AS to marriage! In this re-
lationship, which now seek to estab-
lfsh with you, such material ties are
considered folly and weakness. No
higher bond can be urged, no more
holy union instituted, than the recog-
milton of spirit for spirit, even though
one be hampered by the bondage to
flesh. Cornelia, my soul-bride. my
hitherto unloved! I see you yielding
to the force of my reasoning and co
your own inclinations. Permit me to
console you with the assurances of
my deathless devotion and press upon
your lips the nuptial kiss
So saying, the specter arose and
stretching out his transparent hands,
sought to draw Miss Neelie to his ca
daverous breast when, with one great
cry of terror and revulsfon of feeling,
she rose to her feet and looked wildly
about the room.
The log had broken into beautiful
glowing Goals; the wind moaned down
the chimney like lost and thwarted
spirit; Phineas lay upon the rug, a