The Cairo bulletin., 1906-05-01

neignsDfssfrom childhood upward
Peter, Prince had remained unmar-
ried JDhnsHorner had taken wife.
One evening Horner thus addressed
his friend:
Peter, though You mock at ghosts
and the notion Of tile spirits Of the de-
ceased returning to visit the! friends
they have left behind and the scenes
which We're dear 10 them when Ia the
flesh, | have never heard from you or
any other person an argument which
convinced me OF the impossbility Of
ity Of the souls Of the departed being
permitted to hover about places and
persons deseryedly near TO them and
of appearing dnd giving salutary
warning. either by signs or words, Of
approaching death and the necessity
of due preparation"
Peter Prince laughed, and after
knocking the ashes out OF his pipe he
thus addressed his friend:
Give me the tobacco. John. / never
said IL was not so. | only say | can
not comprehend how It can be. Give
me coal Of fire. | cannot reach the
tongs."
There may and certainly do exist a
great many things beyond our limited
comprehension, said John. handing
the longs When one or other of us
has left this world perhaps the privi-
lege may be granted" Horner paused.
What do you meanr asked Prince.
II am thinking" said Horner very
deliberately, that, as one of US will
probably be removed before the other
and have the knowledge SO thirst aft
err given to him. he might be permitted
to return and impart 1t to his friend
"Very well. John Homer" said Peter.
laughing X promise that IL go first
/ will come and tell you all about 1t II
| can, and. John, you must promise the
same neighborly office in regard to Inc
II 1t is your first turn"
81 do" said Horner solemnly.
Here We drop the colloquy and pro-
ceed to the denouement of our story
with as much brevity as possible, being
convinced that brevity is the soul OF
story as well as Of wit
Peter died in the presence of his
friend. If not In his arms. and with his
hardlhood, almost with
bis last breath. after recommending
his sister to Horner's care. reminded
him of the engagement they had en-
tered into, concluding:
lit is my turn to know first. and |
here solemnly renew my promise" 81
The death Of his friend was a heavy
blow to Horner. He became melan-
rholy. His thoughts dwelt upon a flu
ture state more than ever. He feared
that he and his friend had been wrong
IN entering upon such a contract. He
looked to see q spiritual visitor or to
hear from the world whose secrets he
had SO daringly asked to have dis
played to him. He feared now what
ne had so earnestly wished Solitude
became irksome to him. and he dread !
I'd sleep, expecting that in the night
when spirits wander until the cock |
rowing calls them TO the prison house. |
he CHEST of his friend would announce |
he fatal secret of his condition and |
summon him to participate. John fell |
lick and disclosed TO his Wife the COM |
,act he had entered into with Peter.
Now, Mrs. Horner was a woman lit |
lie given to speculations Of any kind. |
She attended to her duties, worked |
lard, scolded sometimes harder; went |
o church regularly and had little anx-
ETY. respecting another state of being.
;he laughed at John and. 1t Is said,
allied him and his friend Peter a cou-
lie OF old blockheads for making such
dangerous agreement. We shall see
whether she or her husband was right.
Horner's Illness made ii necessary TO
eek his bed long before the household
ares of his helpmate permitted her TO
hlnk of rest Suddenly lie heard his
anne pronounced sdeIDnly. and thrice
John Horner" was repeated. The cur
aims were drawn aside, and there
TODD Peter I'm flowing robes. unlike
is former guise and much changed
ven In countenance, but still ii was
'eter Prince Horner gazed upon his
ormer friend and tried to ask for the
Important communication, but he could
My say:
Speak"
He then saw the vision bend toward
lie floor and, rising, pronounce the
,vatppinug words.
at might have been better. Ii might
ave been worse"
Horner started up In bed, exelaim-
~: Stay Tell me more." but the
lslon was gone. and he saw his wife,
with bowl In her halld.
las | live. saw hmt" exclaimed
le sick man.
saw who?" asked Mrs Horner.
"Peter Prince"
NONSENSE"
"As plain as | see you. He stood
ist where you now are"
well, what did ne sayT' said the
anne.
HE called thrice: John HOrner!
ohm Horner. John Horner" He bow
] low and. rising said 1t might have
cen better. II might have been
orse""
TIA, ha, har' almost shouted his
ife. II called you three times before