http://www.arcanetales.com Classic Radio Tales of Horror, Sci-Fi, and Mystery Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:37:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 Classic OTR Radio Tales of Horror, Sci-Fi and Mystery. Also Reviews of books, movies, CDs, and other horror and sci-fi related materials. Brian schell clean Brian schell dr.arcane@gmail.com dr.arcane@gmail.com (Brian schell) 2006-2009 Classic OTR Radio Tales and Reviews of Horror, Sci-Fi and Mystery. otr, radio, horror, sci-fi, mystery, classic, review, stories, tale, arcane, story http://www.arcanetales.com/arcanetales.jpg http://www.arcanetales.com/category/horror-tales/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/67-suspense-passage-to-benarie-1942/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/67-suspense-passage-to-benarie-1942/#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:57:08 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=314 67. Suspense! Passage to Benarie (1942) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/67-suspense-passage-to-benarie-1942/feed/ 0 murder A strange tale about murder in an exotic land. A strange tale about murder in an exotic land. Brian schell clean 28:44 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/66-the-whistler-fog-1942/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/66-the-whistler-fog-1942/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:41:20 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=311 66. The Whistler: Fog (1942) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/66-the-whistler-fog-1942/feed/ 0 Another mysterious tale brought to you by the creepy Whistler. Another mysterious tale brought to you by the creepy Whistler. Brian schell clean 29:20 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/60-mystery-theater-i-warn-you-three-times-1974/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/60-mystery-theater-i-warn-you-three-times-1974/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:50:03 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=303 60. Mystery Theater: I Warn You Three Times (1974) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/60-mystery-theater-i-warn-you-three-times-1974/feed/ 0 From January 1974 From January 1974 Brian schell clean 42:56 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/59-haunting-hour-a-corpse-there-was/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/59-haunting-hour-a-corpse-there-was/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:10:23 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=302 59. Haunting Hour: A Corpse There Was is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/59-haunting-hour-a-corpse-there-was/feed/ 0 Another episode of the elusive Haunting Hour. This episode is called, "A Corpse There Was." Year unknown. Another episode of the elusive Haunting Hour. This episode is called, "A Corpse There Was." Year unknown. Brian schell clean 24:59 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/58-suspense-the-kettler-method/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/58-suspense-the-kettler-method/#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:36:32 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=301 58. Suspense! The Kettler Method is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/58-suspense-the-kettler-method/feed/ 0 From 1942. From 1942. Brian schell clean 29:10 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/56-the-whistler-house-of-greed-1942/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/56-the-whistler-house-of-greed-1942/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:16:16 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=297 56. The Whistler: House of Greed (1942) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/56-the-whistler-house-of-greed-1942/feed/ 0 First aired 6-16-1942 First aired 6-16-1942 Brian schell clean 27:50 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/53-mystery-theater-honeymoon-with-death/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/53-mystery-theater-honeymoon-with-death/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 00:37:50 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=294 53. Mystery Theater: Honeymoon With Death is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/53-mystery-theater-honeymoon-with-death/feed/ 0 brains,insanity CBS Radio Mystery Theater episode 6 from the 1970's, stars Lois Nettleton CBS Radio Mystery Theater episode 6 from the 1970's, stars Lois Nettleton Brian schell clean 44:32 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/52-suspense-episode-the-hitchiker-1942/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/52-suspense-episode-the-hitchiker-1942/#comments Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:00:15 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=292 52. Suspense! Episode: The Hitchiker (1942) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/52-suspense-episode-the-hitchiker-1942/feed/ 0 Suspense! Episode: The Hitchiker (1942) Suspense! Episode: The Hitchiker (1942) Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/50-the-whistler-episode-the-letter-1942/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/50-the-whistler-episode-the-letter-1942/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:00:08 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=290 50. The Whistler episode: The Letter (1942) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/50-the-whistler-episode-the-letter-1942/feed/ 0 Another episode of "The Whistler" from 1942 Another episode of "The Whistler" from 1942 Brian schell clean 29:03 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/47-cbs-radio-mystery-theater-episode-no-hiding-place/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/47-cbs-radio-mystery-theater-episode-no-hiding-place/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:00:45 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=286 47. CBS Radio Mystery Theater episode: No Hiding Place is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/47-cbs-radio-mystery-theater-episode-no-hiding-place/feed/ 0 From 1974. What would you do if your past came back to haunt you? From 1974. What would you do if your past came back to haunt you? Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/46-haunting-hour-ptolemys-grave-1944/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/46-haunting-hour-ptolemys-grave-1944/#comments Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:59:58 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=285 46. Haunting Hour: Ptolemy’s Grave (1944) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/46-haunting-hour-ptolemys-grave-1944/feed/ 0 Another great episode of "Haunting Hour."  This episode is from 1944 and is entitled "Ptolemy's Grave." Another great episode of "Haunting Hour."  This episode is from 1944 and is entitled "Ptolemy's Grave." Brian schell clean 26:30 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/45-suspense-the-life-of-nellie-james-1942/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/45-suspense-the-life-of-nellie-james-1942/#comments Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:36:16 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=283 45. Suspense! The Cave of Ali Baba (1942) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/45-suspense-the-life-of-nellie-james-1942/feed/ 0 Another great episode of Suspense. This time, starring Rodney Brent, from 1942. Another great episode of Suspense. This time, starring Rodney Brent, from 1942. Brian schell clean 32:23 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/43-the-whistler-death-has-athirst/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/43-the-whistler-death-has-athirst/#comments Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:44:23 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=281 43. The Whistler: Death Has A Thirst is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/43-the-whistler-death-has-athirst/feed/ 0 "The Whister" episode from 1942. "The Whister" episode from 1942. Brian schell clean 30:29 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/40-cbs-radio-mystery-theater-lost-dog-1974/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/40-cbs-radio-mystery-theater-lost-dog-1974/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:45:00 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=277 40. CBS Radio Mystery Theater: Lost Dog (1974) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/40-cbs-radio-mystery-theater-lost-dog-1974/feed/ 0 Mystery Theater episode 4 from 1974, starring Kim Hunter and a very young Mandy Patinkin. Mystery Theater episode 4 from 1974, starring Kim Hunter and a very young Mandy Patinkin. Brian schell clean 42:38 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/39-the-haunting-hour-episode-the-old-old-men/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/39-the-haunting-hour-episode-the-old-old-men/#comments Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:25:00 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=276 39. The Haunting Hour episode: The Old Old Men is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/39-the-haunting-hour-episode-the-old-old-men/feed/ 0 39. The Haunting Hour episode: The Old Old Men 39. The Haunting Hour episode: The Old Old Men Brian schell clean 26:47 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/36-the-whistler-episode-notes-in-the-night-1942/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/36-the-whistler-episode-notes-in-the-night-1942/#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:00:36 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=269 36. The Whistler episode Notes in the Night (1942) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/36-the-whistler-episode-notes-in-the-night-1942/feed/ 0 "Notes in the Night" from 1942. I must kill Henry! But ... why? "Notes in the Night" from 1942. I must kill Henry! But ... why? Brian schell clean 30:58 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/32-suspense-the-burning-court-1942/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/32-suspense-the-burning-court-1942/#comments Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:00:54 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=260 32. Suspense! The Burning Court (1942) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/32-suspense-the-burning-court-1942/feed/ 0 From CBS in 1942. - John Dixon Carr's famous novel, "The Burning Court" - Starring Johnny Rogers, Julie Hayden From CBS in 1942. John Dixon Carr's famous novel, "The Burning Court" Starring Johnny Rogers, Julie Hayden Brian schell clean 29:16 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/31-haunting-hour-the-bird-of-death-1944/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/31-haunting-hour-the-bird-of-death-1944/#comments Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:00:34 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=259 31. Haunting Hour: The Bird of Death (1944) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/31-haunting-hour-the-bird-of-death-1944/feed/ 0 albatross,bird,hunter,kill The series is "The Haunting Hour."  There are no credits, so the cast is unknown. The title of the episode is "The Bird of Death" from 1944. - "Don't shoot that bird, it's the bird of.... Death!" - Bird of Death by ~WolfyLee on deviantART The series is "The Haunting Hour."  There are no credits, so the cast is unknown. The title of the episode is "The Bird of Death" from 1944. "Don't shoot that bird, it's the bird of.... Death!" Bird of Death by ~WolfyLee on deviantART Brian schell clean 25:00 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/29-the-whistler-the-shrunken-head-1942/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/29-the-whistler-the-shrunken-head-1942/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:00:12 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=255 29. The Whistler: The Shrunken Head (1942) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/29-the-whistler-the-shrunken-head-1942/feed/ 0 head,shrunken,whistler From 1942. - June 13th, 1942 CBS, West Coast regional network for Signal Oil - Cast : - Bill Forman as The Whistler Gale Gordon and Joseph Kearns also as The Whistler Marvin Miller as The Whistler while Forman was int he army. From 1942. June 13th, 1942 CBS, West Coast regional network for Signal Oil Cast : Bill Forman as The Whistler Gale Gordon and Joseph Kearns also as The Whistler Marvin Miller as The Whistler while Forman was int he army. Bill Johnstone as The Whistler in 1948 Brian schell clean 30:25 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/26-cbs-radio-mystery-theater-the-return-of-the-moresbys-1974/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/26-cbs-radio-mystery-theater-the-return-of-the-moresbys-1974/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:00:17 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=250 26. CBS Radio Mystery Theater: The Return of the Moresbys (1974) is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/26-cbs-radio-mystery-theater-the-return-of-the-moresbys-1974/feed/ 0 cat,moresbys,mystery,reincarnation,theater CBS Radio Mystery Theater was a long-running series of radio dramas created by Himan Brown and hosted by E.G. Marshall. This is episode number two from 1974. CBS Radio Mystery Theater was a long-running series of radio dramas created by Himan Brown and hosted by E.G. Marshall. This is episode number two from 1974. Brian schell clean 44:10 http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/cbs-radio-mystery-theater-the-old-ones-are-hard-to-kill/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/cbs-radio-mystery-theater-the-old-ones-are-hard-to-kill/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:29:00 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=225 19. CBS Radio Mystery Theater: The Old Ones Are Hard To Kill is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2009/cbs-radio-mystery-theater-the-old-ones-are-hard-to-kill/feed/ 0 1977,marshall,mystery,OTR,theater CBS Radio Mystery Theater was a long-running series of radio dramas created by Himan Brown and hosted by E.G. Marshall. These programs were recorded from a local fm radio station in 1977 and early 1978 CBS Radio Mystery Theater was a long-running series of radio dramas created by Himan Brown and hosted by E.G. Marshall. These programs were recorded from a local fm radio station in 1977 and early 1978 Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-marble-hands-by-bernard-capes/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-marble-hands-by-bernard-capes/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:42:47 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=209 18. The Marble Hands, by Bernard Capes is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-marble-hands-by-bernard-capes/feed/ 0 The Marble Hands, by Bernard Capes The Marble Hands, by Bernard Capes Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/an-unfinished-race-by-ambrose-bierce/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/an-unfinished-race-by-ambrose-bierce/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:52:58 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=147 17. An Unfinished Race, by Ambrose Bierce is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/an-unfinished-race-by-ambrose-bierce/feed/ 0 An Unfinished Race, by Ambrose Bierce: - . - . - . - . An Unfinished Race, by Ambrose Bierce: . . . . Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/a-ghouls-accountant/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/a-ghouls-accountant/#comments Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:42:33 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=120 16. A Ghoul’s Accountant is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/a-ghouls-accountant/feed/ 0 A Ghoul's Accountant, by Stephen Crane. - - . - . - . - . A Ghoul's Accountant, by Stephen Crane. . . . . Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-man-eating-tree-by-phil-robinson/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-man-eating-tree-by-phil-robinson/#comments Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:53:57 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=114 15. The Man-Eating Tree, by Phil Robinson is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-man-eating-tree-by-phil-robinson/feed/ 0 The Man-Eating Tree, written by Phil Robinson in 1881 Read by Brian Schell - . - . - . - . - . - . The Man-Eating Tree, written by Phil Robinson in 1881 Read by Brian Schell . . . . . . Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-dead-alive-by-edward-lloyd/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-dead-alive-by-edward-lloyd/#comments Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:58:05 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=110 14. The Dead Alive, by Edward Lloyd is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-dead-alive-by-edward-lloyd/feed/ 0 alive,beggar,Dead,mendicant,robber,thief The Dead Alive, or the Murdering Mendicant of Orleans, by Edward Lloyd Download the PDF: http://www.arcanetales.com/audio/Dead Alive.pdf The Dead Alive, or the Murdering Mendicant of Orleans, by Edward Lloyd Download the PDF: http://www.arcanetales.com/audio/Dead Alive.pdf Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-thing-at-ghent-by-honore-de-balzac/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-thing-at-ghent-by-honore-de-balzac/#comments Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:54:20 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=105 13. The Thing at Ghent, by Honore de Balzac is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-thing-at-ghent-by-honore-de-balzac/feed/ 0 Balzac,Death,Floor,Ghent The Thing at Ghent, by Honore de Balzac Download the PDF: http://www.arcanetales.com/audio/Thing at Ghent.pdf The Thing at Ghent, by Honore de Balzac Download the PDF: http://www.arcanetales.com/audio/Thing at Ghent.pdf Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/dagon-by-h-p-lovecraft/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/dagon-by-h-p-lovecraft/#comments Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:22:21 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=99 12. Dagon, by H. P. Lovecraft is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/dagon-by-h-p-lovecraft/feed/ 0 - I am writing this under an appreciable mental strain, since by tonight I shall be no more. Penniless, and at the end of my supply of the drug which alone, makes life endurable, I can bear the torture no longer; and shall cast myself from this garre... I am writing this under an appreciable mental strain, since by tonight I shall be no more. Penniless, and at the end of my supply of the drug which alone, makes life endurable, I can bear the torture no longer; and shall cast myself from this garret window into the squalid street below. Do not think from my slavery to morphine that I am a weakling or a degenerate. When you have read these hastily scrawled pages you may guess, though never fully realise, why it is that I must have forgetfulness or death. It was in one of the most open and least frequented parts of the broad Pacific that the packet of which I was supercargo fell a victim to the German sea-raider. The great war was then at its very beginning, and the ocean forces of the Hun had not completely sunk to their later degradation; so that our vessel was made a legitimate prize, whilst we of her crew were treated with all the fairness and consideration due us as naval prisoners. So liberal, indeed, was the discipline of our captors, that five days after we were taken I managed to escape alone in a small boat with water and provisions for a good length of time. When I finally found myself adrift and free, I had but little idea of my surroundings. Never a competent navigator, I could only guess vaguely by the sun and stars that I was somewhat south of the equator. Of the longitude I knew nothing, and no island or coastline was in sight. The weather kept fair, and for uncounted days I drifted aimlessly beneath the scorching sun; waiting either for some passing ship, or to be cast on the shores of some habitable land. But neither ship nor land appeared, and I began to despair in my solitude upon the heaving vastness of unbroken blue. The change happened whilst I slept. Its details I shall never know; for my slumber, though troubled and dream-infested, was continuous. When at last I awakened, it was to discover myself half sucked into a slimy expanse of hellish black mire which extended about me in monotonous undulations as far as I could see, and in which my boat lay grounded some distance away. Though one might well imagine that my first sensation would be of wonder at so prodigious and unexpected a transformation of scenery, I was in reality more horrified than astonished; for there was in the air and in the rotting soil a sinister quality which chilled me to the very core. The region was putrid with the carcasses of decaying fish, and of other less describable things which I saw protruding from the nasty mud of the unending plain. Perhaps I should not hope to convey in mere words the unutterable hideousness that can dwell in absolute silence and barren immensity. There was nothing within hearing, and nothing in sight save a vast reach of black slime; yet the very completeness of the stillness and the homogeneity of the landscape oppressed me with a nauseating fear. The sun was blazing down from a sky which seemed to me almost black in its cloudless cruelty; as though reflecting the inky marsh beneath my feet. As I crawled into the stranded boat I realised that only one theory could explain my position. Through some unprecedented volcanic upheaval, a portion of the ocean floor must have been thrown to the surface, exposing regions which for innumerable millions of years had lain hidden under unfathomable watery depths. So great was the extent of the new land which had risen beneath me, that I could not detect the faintest noise of the surging ocean, strain my ears as I might. Nor were there any sea-fowl to prey upon the dead things. For several hours I sat thinking or brooding in the boat, which lay upon its side and afforded a slight shade as the sun moved across the heavens. As the day progressed, the ground lost some of its stickiness, and seemed likely to dry sufficiently for travelling purposes in a short time. That night I slept but little, and the next day I made for myself a Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-strange-orchid-by-h-g-wells/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-strange-orchid-by-h-g-wells/#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:36:45 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=94 11. The Strange Orchid, by H. G. Wells is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-strange-orchid-by-h-g-wells/feed/ 0 The Strange Orchid By H.G. Wells - The buying of orchids always has in it a certain speculative flavour. You have before you the brown shrivelled lump of tissue, and for the rest you must trust your judgment, or the auctioneer, or your good luck, The Strange Orchid By H.G. Wells The buying of orchids always has in it a certain speculative flavour. You have before you the brown shrivelled lump of tissue, and for the rest you must trust your judgment, or the auctioneer, or your good luck, as your taste may incline. The plant may be moribund or dead, or it may be just a respectable purchase, fair value for your money, or perhaps--for the thing has happened again and again--there slowly unfolds before the delighted eyes of the happy purchaser, day after day, some new variety, some novel richness, a strange twist of the labellum, or some subtler colouration or unexpected mimicry. Pride, beauty, and profit blossom together on one delicate green spike, and, it may be, even immortality. For the new miracle of nature may stand in need of a new specific name, and what so convenient as that of its discoverer? "John-smithia"! There have been worse names. It was perhaps the hope of some such happy discovery that made Winter Wedderburn such a frequent attendant at these sales--that hope, and also, maybe, the fact that he had nothing else of the slightest interest to do in the world. He was a shy, lonely, rather ineffectual man, provided with just enough income to keep off the spur of necessity, and not enough nervous energy to make him seek any exacting employments. He might have collected stamps or coins, or translated Horace, or bound books, or invented new species of diatoms. But, as it happened, he grew orchids, and had one ambitious little hothouse. "I have a fancy," he said over his coffee, "that something is going to happen to me to-day." He spoke--as he moved and thought--slowly. "Oh, don't say that!" said his housekeeper--who was also his remote cousin. For "something happening" was a euphemism that meant only one thing to her. "You misunderstand me. I mean nothing unpleasant...though what I do mean I scarcely know. "To-day," he continued, after a pause, "Peters' are going to sell a batch of plants from the Andamans and the Indies. I shall go up and see what they have. It may be I shall buy something good unawares. That may be it." He passed his cup for his second cupful of coffee. "Are these the things collected by that poor young fellow you told me of the other day?" asked his cousin, as she filled his cup. "Yes," he said, and became meditative over a piece of toast. "Nothing ever does happen to me," he remarked presently, beginning to think aloud. "I wonder why? Things enough happen to other people. There is Harvey. Only the other week; on Monday he picked up sixpence, on Wednesday his chicks all had the staggers, on Friday his cousin came home from Australia, and on Saturday he broke his ankle. What a whirl of excitement!--compared to me." "I think I would rather be without so much excitement," said his housekeeper. "It can't be good for you." "I suppose it's troublesome. Still ... you see, nothing ever happens to me. When I was a little boy I never had accidents. I never fell in love as I grew up. Never married... I wonder how it feels to have something happen to you, something really remarkable. "That orchid-collector was only thirty-six--twenty years younger than myself--when he died. And he had been married twice and divorced once; he had had malarial fever four times, and once he broke his thigh. He killed a Malay once, and once he was wounded by a poisoned dart. And in the end he was killed by jungle-leeches. It must have all been very troublesome, but then it must have been very interesting, you know--except, perhaps, the leeches." "I am sure it was not good for him," said the lady with conviction. "Perhaps not." And then Wedderburn looked at his watch. "Twenty-three minutes past eight. I am going up by the quarter to twelve train, so that there is plenty of time. I think I shall wear my alpaca jacket--it is quite warm enough--and my grey felt hat and brown shoes. Brian schell clean http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-vampire-cat-of-nabeshima-by-ab-mitford/ http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-vampire-cat-of-nabeshima-by-ab-mitford/#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:47:41 +0000 Brian Schell http://www.arcanetales.com/?p=79 10. The Vampire Cat of Nabeshima, by A.B. Mitford is a post from: Arcane Tales

]]> http://www.arcanetales.com/2008/the-vampire-cat-of-nabeshima-by-ab-mitford/feed/ 0 The Vampire Cat of Nabéshima By A.B. Mitford, Lord Redesdale The Vampire Cat of Nabéshima By A.B. Mitford, Lord Redesdale Brian schell clean