Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-16

raised the poker to stir the fire. Al
that moment, the sound was reported
and one Of the glass doors, slowly
opening. disclosed pale and emaciated
figure in soiled and worn c>parel
standing erect In the press. The figure
was tall and then, and the counte-
nance expressive of care and anxiety
but there was something in the hue OF
the skin. and gaunt and unearthly ap-
pearance of the whole form, which no
being of this world was ever seen to
wear.
WHO are you?' said the new tenant
turning very pale, posing the poker in
his hand, however, and taking a very
figure.
Don't throw that poker at me- re-
piled the form. If you hurled 1t with
ever so sure an aim, it would pass
through me, without resistance, and
expend its force on the wood behind.
I am spirit
And pray, what do you want here?'
faltered the tenant.
In this ROOM replied the appari-
ton, my worldly ruin was worked, and
and my children beggared. In this
press the papers in long. long suit.
which accumulated for years, were de-
posted. In this room, when I had
died of grief and long-deferred hope,
two willy harpies divided the wealth for
which had contested during a wretch
ed existence, and of which, at last, not
one farthing was left for my unhappy
descendants. terrified them from the
spot. and since that day have prowled
by night-the only period at which
can revisit the earth-about the scenes
Of my long-protracted misery. This
apartment is mine; leave it to me-
off you insist upon making your
appearance here said the tenant. who
had had time to collect his presence
of mind during this prosy statement of
the ghost, I shall give up possession
with the greatest pleasure; but
should like to ask you one question, if
you will allow me-
"'Say on said the apparition sternly
Well said the tenant, I don't ap-
ply the observation personally to you
because it is equally applicable to most
Of the ghosts ever heard Of: but 1t
does appear to me somewhat incon-
sistent that when you have an oppor--
tunity of visiting the fairest spots of
earth-for I suppose space Is nothing
to you-you should always return exact
ly to the very places where you have
been most miserable
"'Egad, that's very true. never
thought of that before said the ghost.
"'You see. SIR pursued the tenant,
this is very uncomfortable room.
From the appearance of that press, I
should be disposed to say that 1t is
not wholly free from bugs, and really
think you might find much more COM
Portable quarters, to say nothing OF
the climate of London, which is ex-
tremely disagreeable.'
"'You are very right. SIR said the
ghost, politely; it never struck me Till
now: I'll try change of air directly
I'm fact, he began to vanish as he
spoke: his legs, indeed, had quite dis
appeared.
land if. sir, said the tenant. call
ing after him, If you would have the
goodness to suggest to the other ladies
and gentlemen who are now engaged
in haunting old empty houses, that
they might be much more comfortable
elsewhere, you will confer very great
benefit on society
ct WILL replied the ghost. We
must be very dull fellows, very dull fell
lows, indeed: can't imagine how we
can have been so stupid
with these words the spirit disap-
peared, and what is rather remarka-
ble," added the old man, with shrewd
look around the table where sat his
listeners, che never came back again"