Down went the patents--steam reversed. Too late! for there came a "thud." Jim cursed As the fireman, there in the cab with him, Kinder stared in the face of Jim, And says, "What now?" Says Jim, "What now! I've just run over a man,--that's how!" The fireman stared at Jim. They ran Back, but they never found house nor man,-- Nary a shadow within a mile. Jim turned pale, but he tried to smile, Then on he tore Ten mile or more, In quicker time than he'd made afore. Would you believe it! the very next night Up rose that house in the moonlight white, Out comes the chap and drops as before, Down goes the brake and the rest encore; And so, in fact, Each night that act Occurred, till folks swore Jim was cracked. Humph! let me see; it's a year now, 'most, That I met Jim, East, and says, "How's your ghost?" "Gone," says Jim; "and more, it's plain That ghost don't trouble me again. I thought I shook That ghost when I took A place on an Eastern line,--but look! "What should I meet, the first trip out, But the very house we talked about, And the selfsame man! 'Well,' says I, 'I guess It's time to stop this 'yer foolishness.' So I crammed on steam, When there came a scream From my fireman, that jest broke my dream: "'You've killed somebody!' Says I, 'Not much! I've been thar often, and thar ain't no such, And now I'll prove it!' Back we ran, And--darn my skin!--but thar WAS a man On the rail, dead, Smashed in the head!-- Now I call that meanness!" That's all Jim said. "SEVENTY-NINE" (MR. INTERVIEWER INTERVIEWED) Know me next time when you see me, won't you, old smarty? Oh, I mean YOU, old figger-head,--just the same party! Take out your pensivil, d--n you; sharpen it, do! Any complaints to make? Lots of 'em--one of 'em's YOU. You! who are YOU, anyhow, goin' round in that sneakin' way? Never in jail before, was you, old blatherskite, say? Look at it; don't it look pooty? Oh, grin, and be d--d to you, do! But if I had you this side o' that gratin,' I'd just make it lively for you. How did I get in here? Well what 'ud you give to know? 'Twasn't by sneakin' round where I hadn't no call to go; 'Twasn't by hangin' round a-spyin' unfortnet men. Grin! but I'll stop your jaw if ever you do that agen. Why don't you say suthin, blast you? Speak your mind if you dare. Ain't I a bad lot, sonny? Say it, and call it square. Hain't got no tongue, hey, hev ye? Oh, guard! here's a little swell A cussin' and swearin' and yellin', and bribin' me not to tell.