Somewhere I have read of a superstition that bodily tenements left in this way were liable to be entered and occupied by evil spirits, and from this rose the custom of piously closing the eyes and mouths of deceased friends." "No worse spirit's likely to get into them than was shot out of 'em," growled Abe.

"A Rebel with a gun is as bad an evil spirit as I ever expect to meet.

But let's go on.

It's another kind of an evil spirit that we are interested in just now--one that'll enter into and occupy our empty canteen." "You're right.

It's the enemy that my friend Shakspere says we 'put into our mouths to steal away our brains.' By the way, what a weary hunt he must have in your cranium for a load worth stealing." "Thee goes that clack-mill again.