The commonwealth., 1917-02-13
WILLIAM WISTER'S WILL A MES
SAGE FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE

SAGE tROM b64 Z UNI LII 0@S3 -
Just graduated from a course in
which the physical sciences held first
place, John had all the certainty, even
about uncertainties, characteristic OF
youth.
nFather,o said he, "here's a maga-
zine writer saying that the late Prof.
James has since his death been com
municating with people still alive, an
has even appeared in cap and gown
to woman. Such stuff imposes on the
weak and credulous to their injury. II
ought to be barred from pnblica tion. =
The oldbanker put down his paper
took off his eyeglasses, carefully plac-
ed his finger tips one against tho other
and replied: "Well, 1 don t know
Maybc we arc all more OF less like Ho-
ratio: our philosophy may not embrace
all the things IN heaven and earth
I've seen SO many possibilities become
realities the marvels of modern in
yention-that I IN rather more credu
lous than I was at your age.
Then I had very few doubts about any
thing. For instance, I thought Tenny
son IS vision Of
3The nations airy navies Crap
ping ia the central blue
very beautiful as poetic imagery, but
quite impossible. Yet we know nov
it was a prophecy, since it has beer
fulfilled in the European war. I donN
know; the time may come when We
shall not be at ali surprised that Twins
ears are hearing voices from the undis
covered country bevond the grave
The old banker shifted his position
looked his son souarely il the eyes an(
continued: 81 was myself once start
led when one Of our customers told ne
that on the first day of every montl
she receives a message from her dea'
husband.'' -
"She's crazy exclaimed John
depoeitors included lunatics,'' he ad
ded jokingly.
The old banker smiled tolerantly
''Do you think Mrs. Wister insane
my sona''
John WINGED. Had his father sense(
his feelings toward the young widow
But he answered promptly, F'of course
not; she is the sanest person I know
But what has Mrs. Wister to do will
itf''
"Oh, only this, that she is the Gus
toner I alluded to-your sister s frien(
and yours. You know her husband dice
with nothing to dispose Of by will, ye
he left a will It is strange one.
have copy Of it and will read it t.
you.'
The old banker replaced his spec
tacles, turned to a drawer, took out
paDer, unfolded it, and, leaning bacl
in his chair and real aloud:
This my last VIII and Testament
needing neither probate ncr executor
since I leave 10 estate subject to I'D
ministration But to 1nv beautiful an
beloved wife and our precious littl
girl I leave love that shall outliv
death and find expression from me o.
tho first dav OF each month after / se7
gone On ahead to Heaven.
ssThat s all of it, John, but Mrs
Wister tells-lae that not once since he
husband died two years ago los sh
failed to receive on the first day 0
each month the promised reinsurance 0
his Devotion All h, this happens to b
the first day Of the month, son; sypros
you call on Mrs Wister today-say
about two o'clock this afternoon-an
get her to tell you the whole story Th
message may come while you are ther
with her and you may judge for YOU,
self its substance and authenticitv.'
x
"No, john said Mrs Wister, F3T i
not a spiritUalist: ] m not even an a6
vanced psychologist. [ know and car
nothing about occult science. so called
[ am. as YOU have just said, yer
level-headel person. But what vor
father told you is true nv hushan
had bought this cottage, paid for
years AGO he was t31irty-seven -aa7
old, ] was twenty y-seven and our daugI
- z Z "