The Columbus journal., 1908-10-14

Ave tncy IOuuQ mo QUIZ Qe.
manded Mr.. Piner.
Dead" repeated her husband.
starting violently.
Mrs. Primer, with little snih. took
up the paper and read slowly. inter
rupted only by the broken ejacula-
tons Of her husband. She read:
THE unfortunate policeman who
was assaulted the other day down at
Mapping passed away peacefully yes
terday evening In the arms Of his
wife and family. The ruffan is be-
neved to be at sea"
Il wish e was" said Mr.. Primer.
mournfully. Il wish e was anywhere
but ere. The idea o. making a delikit
man like that policeman. Why. I
'ardly touched i'm"
Promise me you won't 60 out"
said his wife, tearfully.
"Out?" said Mr.. Primer. energetical-
ly; "out? Dye think I'm mad, or
wot! I'm going to stay ere till the
ship sails, then I'm going down in q
cab. Wot dye think want to 60 out
for?"
ITS the drink as made you do It,"
said his wife.
I'll never touch a drop agin." at.
frmed Mr.. Primer, shivering.
Slowly the days passed until at
length there were only two left, and
he was in such a nervous and over
wrought state that Mrs. Primer was
almost as anxious as he was for the
date of departure. To comfort him
she read a paragraph from the paper
to the effect that the police had given
up the search in despair. Mr.. Primer
shook his head at this, and said it was
a trap to get him out. He also, with a
View of defeating the ends Of justice.
set to work upon a hood for the per-
ambulatOr.
He was employed on this when his
wife went out to do little shopping.
The house when she returned was
quiet, and there were no signs Of any
thing unusual having occurred; but
when she entered the room she started
back with a cry at the sight which
met her eyes. Mr.. Primer was in a
crouching attitude on the sofa, his
face buried in the cushion, while one
leg waved spasnodically in the air.
Charlie" she cried: Charlie"
There was a hollow groan from the
cushion in reply.
whats the matter?" she cried, in
alarm. whats the natter"
I've seen it," said Mr.. Primer, in
trembling tones. I've seen ghost.
I was just peeping out of the winder
behind the blind when 1t went BY"
Nonsense" said his wife.
His ghost" said Mr.. Primer, re-
gaining a more natural attitude and
shivering violently. red whiskerj.
white gloves and all. It's doing beat
up and down this street. I shall 60
mad. It's been by twice."
Imagination" said his wife, aghast
at this state of affairs.
I'm afraid Of it's coming for me-"
said Mr.. Primer, staring wildly. Every
minnit 1 expect to see it with its white
face stuck up agir the winder-pane
staring in at me-"
You mustn't '..ve such cancies."
said his wife.
Il see it az plain as see you," per-
sisted the trembling fireman. 1T was
prancing up and down in just the same
stuckup way as it did when it was
alive"
I'll draw the blind down." said his
wife.
She crossed over to the window, and
was about to lower the blind when she
suddenly drew back with an involun-
tary exclamation.
Can you see it," cried her husband.
NO" said Mrs. Primer. recovering
herself. shut your eyes"
The fireman sprang to his feet.
Keep back" said his wife, don't
look"
Il must" said the fireman.
His wife threw herself upon him,
but he pushed her out of the way and
rushed to the window. Then his jaw
dropped and he murmured incoherent-
ly, for the ghost of the red policeman
was plainly visible. It's lofty carriage
of the head and pendulum-like swing
of the arms were gone, and it was
struggling in most fleshly manner to
lead a recalcitrant costermonger to the
station. In the intervals of the wres-
Ting bout it blew loudly upon
whistle
Wonderful" said Mrs. Primer,
nervously. "Lifelike, l call it,
The fireman watched the crowd pass
up the road. and then he turned and
regarded her.
would you like to hear what I call
it," he Numbered.
mot before the baby, Charlie"
Quavered Mrs. Primer, drawing back.
The fireman regarded her silently,
ard his demeanor was SO alarming
that she grabbed Charles Augustus
Primer suddenly from his cradle and
held him in front of her.
You've KEEP me here" said Mr.. Pin
ner. in voice which trembled with self
pity. for near three week. For three
weeks I've wasted my time. my little
spare time. and my money in making
perambulators and whitewashing and
papering, and all sorts of thiSs. I've
been the larfing stock O. thu house.
and I've been worked like q convict
WOt ave you got to say for yourself"
"Wot do you meanr" inquired Mrs.
Primer. recovering herself. Il amt
to blame for what's in the paper, am
I? How was I to know that the DO
liceman as died wasn't your police