en we was all in such grief, and didn't
know what was comin' upon us, you must go drinking. You'd better a been
praying, I tell you. But be sure your 'sin will find you out' some day or
other. The Lord above knows I pray for you many a time, when I'm hard at
work. My heart is nigh breaking when I think where the drunkards will be,
when the Lord makes up his jewels. They can't enter the kingdom of Heaven;
there is no place for them there. Why can't you repent? 'Spose you die in a
drunken fit, how will I have the heart to work when I remember where you've
got to; 'where the worm never dieth, and the fire is not quenched.'"

Bacchus was rather taken aback by this sudden appeal, and he moved uneasily
in his chair; but after a little reflection, and a good long look at the
moon, he recovered his confidence.

"Phillis," said he, "do you b'lieve in sperrits?"

"No, I don't," said Phillis, drily, "of no kind."

Bacchus was at a loss again; but he pretended not to understand her, and
giving a hitch to his uncertain chair, he got up some courage, and said,
doggedly,

"Well, I do."

"I don't," said Phillis, positively, "of no kind."

Bacchus was quite discomposed again, but he said in an appealing voice to
his wife, "Phillis, I couldn't stand it; when Miss Alice was so low, you
was busy, and could be a doin somethin for her; but what could I do? Here I
sot all night a cryin, a thinkin about her and young master. I 'spected for
true she was gwine to die; and my blessed grief! what would have come of us
all. Master Arthur, he'd a come home, but what would be the use, and she
dead and gone. Every which way I looked, I think I see Miss Alice going up
to Heaven, a waving her hand good-by to us, and we all by ourselves, weepin
and wailin. 'Deed, Phillis, I couldn't stand it; if I hadn't had a little
whiskey I should a been dead and cold afore now."

"You'll be dead and cold afore long with it," said Phillis.

"I couldn't do nothing but cry, Phillis," said Bacchus, snuffing and
blowing his nose; "and I thought I might be wanted for somethin, so I jest
took a small drop to keep up my strength."

Phillis said nothing. She was rather a hard-hearted woman where whiskey was
concerned; so she gave Bacchus no encouragement to go on excusing himself.

"I tell you why I believes in ghosts," said Bacchus, after a pause. "I've
see'd one."

"When?" said Phillis.

"I was telling you that while Miss Alice was so ill," said Bacchus, "I us