PROOF THAT A MAN IS DEATH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2267, 10 April 1886, Page 2

PROOF THAT A MAN IS DEATH.

A subscribei; to one of the eastern papers, a few years ago, being sadly in arrears for the same, promised the editor tliat if his life was spared to a certain day, ho would, without fail, discharge his biil. The day passed, and the bill was not paid. The conclusion, therefore, was, that the man wasdead-absolutely defunct, Proceeding on this conclusion, the editor, in the next paper, placed the name of his delinquent under the orbituary head, with the attendant circumstances of time and place, Pretty soon after this anouncer ment the subject of it appeared to the editor, not with tho pale, ghostly appearance usually ascribed to apparitions, but wihtaface as red as scarlet; neither did it, lik» other apparitions, wait to be first spoken to, but broke silence—- " What the—sir, do yon mean by publishing my death? "Why, sir, the same that 1 mean by publishing the name of any other person -viz., to let the world know -that you wero dead," Jl, "Well, but I'm not dead." V' "Not dead 1 T " Then it is your own fault, for you told me you would pay me your bill by such a day, if you lived till that time, Tho day is past, the bill is not paid, and you, positively must be dead, for I will not/ belive you would forfeit your word-oh, no." "Isee you have got round me, Mr Editor; but say no more about it: here is the money. And harkee, you wag, just contradict my death next week, will you ?" " Oh, certainly, sir—just to please youj though upon my word, 1 can't help thinking yoa died at the time specified, and that you merely came back lo pay thil bill on account of your friendship to me,'