THE ONLY MAN ON EARTH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10580, 8 October 1910, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE ONLY MAN ON EARTH.

(By William H. Kentnor.)

I, Robert Dempster, am the only living man on earth. I make this statement unqualifiedly, for my journey across the American Continent has railed to reveal a trace of a living thing. Tho terrible lonesomeness of ; t all has driven me to the verge of insanity, and before madness overtakes me 1 am desirous of writing this chronicle of my unique experience, though Heaven knows what eyes shall ever behold'it.

That no eye of mortal man, as he has back to the limits of history, shall behold these words I am cotifident. The entire world has been wiped out, and'l alone of the countless

millions of the world's population can record the fact. Perhaps some new order of life will spring up on this planet, and thousands of years hence the wheels of progress and commerce will -bo humming as merrily as of yore." Half whimsically, I wonder whether tho new order of being will look like the caricatures the comic artists conceived of tho Martians, and the strange inhabitants of the moon and other planets supposedly visited by their humorous heroes. Then again, if this history is ever discovered, will tho strange folk ever succeed in decipheiing it? 1 intend taking extraordinary pre- , cautions for tho preservation of my story. I am writing carefully with indelible ink on the finest grade of paper obtainable. This I shall seal hermetically in an indestructible tube, and search assiduously for a likely location in which to place it, so that the chances for its discovery will be favorable should strange explorers ever visit the ruins of tho metropolis of the .United States of America.

In order that a clear understanding may be had of what follows, I am constrained to tell a small portion of riiy. early history. : Since early youth I have been the. unfortunate sufferer of a disease which has baffled science. The first manifestation, came when I ,was yet a child. My parents were, wealthy, and I reared in the lap of Juxury. One day while at play I was seized-with nausea and a dizziness ; I suddenly lost consciousness, was carried into the house, and was pronounced dead by the physician who was .hurriedly summoned. All preparations for burial were made. One scant half-hour before the ,time set for'.the', funeral a peculiar appearance of my eyelids was noticed by my father, which occasioned great ex- ■ citerherit..'■'/ Physicians were promptly summoned, - and after several hours of hard work I was resuscitated and saved from an untimely grave. The shock was too-great for my frail mother, and she died within two weeks. I lived alone with my father in the great house 'until I was fourteen years of age. At that time my father, heavily involved in stock speculation, found himself utterly ruined, and went to a suicide's grave. Thus I found myself an orphan, penniless and alone in the world. I started out bravely enough, but soon found the fight too great for my frail constitution and spirit, and drifted from bad to worse. For ten years my fortunes were at low ebb. About this time I was again seized by the terrible disease, which lias become the bane of my existence. For seven days I -lay in a state of coma closely resembling death. How I was saved from being buried aliye at this time I have never been able to explain, unless it was'due to a slight curiosity on the part of a young physician at the City Hospital, where I had been carried, as to what really had caused my death. During these years of my life —how black they were —my proud spirit suffered many cruel shGcks. In business I was a failure. I inherited all my father's stubborn, proud spirit, but nono of his ability. I inherited my mother's temerity, but none of the sparkling- wit which made her- sought after by all. jtiches I longed for with an intensity that often uearly coiir sumed me. : Eaeh succcediiig.-'-failure left my heart empty and filled my soul with a galling bitterness, but still I struggled on. - Within the next three years I suffered two more attacks of the hated malady, which seemed to be progressive. How I feared awakening each morning, lest I should find myself entombed alive, no one could ever understand. On May 18th last—it is only six months past, yet it seems ages—l was seated, as was my custom, in my miserable ball bedroom in a cheap boarding-house, preparing to retire. How well I remember the excitement which prevailed over the entire world. The earth was due that night to pass through the tail of the great comet. The whole woi-ld was agog. Minister's arid physicians wore receiving constant calls from anxious souls, inquiring how safety might be obtained from the fume's of the deadly cyanogen gas of which the comet's tail was reputed to be composed. The newspapers reported many suicides who feared the end of the world was at hand. Anxious people thronged the streets, too perturbed to go to bed. To me -it mattered little. I was sorely tired of the terrible - and was, ready for death in any form, just so I was not buried alive. I had just finished reading an article by -a leading scientist endeavoring to assure the public that the danger of the earth being enveloped in the deadly gases was slight, when I was seized by violent nausea and dizziness and, recognising symptoms of my dread malady, flung myself on my bed with a palpitating heart. I lost consciousness at once. .. •

The sunlight shining in my eyes brought mo to a sitting posture in my bed. I was surprised to find I was fully attired, and the first effort 1 made to arise brought the realisation that I was quite -weak. I prepared some cold beef-tea, and, after partaking of that and some crackers, which seemed quite stale, felt stiongor. Opon looking at my reflection in the .mirror, I was horrified to note a- distinct yellowish color to my skin. The sickish feeling the shock produced recalled the symptoms I had experienced at my Inst conscious moment.' If it were true that I had suffered another attack —they usually lasted seven 01 eight days—l was sorely puzzled why no" one had discovered my condition. Starting through the house, I entered the room next to mine, and the sight that met my eyes filled "me with the greatest terror. The occupant was dead. Calling wildly for assistance, and receiving no response I ran from door to door—horror of horrors —everybody in the hotfso was' dead. I fled from the building, filled with body in the houso was dead! The sun was shining serenely .when I reached the street, and I breathed more freely when I was clear of that terrible house of death. A's I walked I gained strength with each step,- but my bram was in a terrible whirl of- excitement and perplexity . - I was suddenly assailed by a strange sense of " lonesom'eness arid extreme quiet. Then, for the first time, I'no-, ticed that the streets were absolutely deserted. Where were the • Elevated trains ■ that ". usually - thundered overhead at this ,time of the day, the street-cars with their clanging bolls, the horses, wagons, and shrilly crying newsboys? . • Mv perplexity was - only increased when. I rang door-bell.after, door-bell without response. , was -the ■■meaning "* of this strange -state ■ of - affairs?" I determined to ascertain, , ,'as'cending the steps of an • mansion, rang the bell vigorously. '- -Mv- summons received no acknowledgement. Going to the rear, I met with

-iio ; better, successr . , -' Thoroughly aroused, I determined to investigate, and, with an axe secured from an outhouse, I battered in the door and proceeded through the house without seeing any one therein. ■MI was silent. I could not help noting ■ the sumptousness of the furnishings ; the marble statuary, paintings, and hangings would have been food for mv hungry eyes, denied for so nmuv venrs a "sight of luxury, had conditions been otherwise. Without hesitating,'l limited the broad staircase: at tlie top T found a large ball, with doors on either side; one standing ajar attracted my attention, and I stepped

It was apparently the dressina-roojn of a young lady of wealth, if_ one-was to judge bv surroundings Rich clothing was scattered about, and a raagni-

ficent jewcl-caakct, standing open, held my greedy gaze. Hero I l\ad iho firsts real temptation of my lite to steal. An open door caught my eye, and, stepping across ilio threshold, 1 beheld a beautiful woman lying on a bed. One look at her features told inc another terrible tale. I

Further investigation proved that this mansion was the'house of twelve •persons whoso earthly cares wore over. Sorely puzzled, 1 stepped into the beautiful library to rest, and'to ponder over tho remarkable condition of affairs surrounding -inc. I* sat in an easy chair, and, think as 1 might, no explanation ;offer itself. 'A newspaper lying on-the table met my view, and the first thing I noticed was an article on the great comet, which I remembered having read before retiring the night before

. Suddenly the thought occurred, was it. last night, or had I lain in a cataleptic state for a number of days? A light began to dawn upon my puzzled brain. With u> great thrill, I was brought face to face that I, ltupcri Dempster, by virtue' of a dread malady which spasmodically reduced me to a' state of coma resembling death, witli no sign of resi>iration, had passed through the deadly tail of a comet, and in all probability every breathing thing on the face of the earth had been asphyxiated by the fumes of cyanogen gas.

What a thought! The perspiration streamed from my forehead, and I felt, silly , with excitement. Uould it be true that the end of the world had.'come j and I had been missed and left alone —the only man on earth ?

I sprang to my feet, with widely staring eyes and dishevelled luiir. There could bo no mistake. Feverishly 1 read every word I could' find'on. the subject, and my growing convictions wero only strengthened by what I read. So 1 am to finish what Adam started so many thousands of years ago —ho and I, the Genesis and .Revelations of life. What human brain could grasp the boundless magnitude of such a ■"situation! What vistas of pleasure now seemed open to me I Henceforth I should live a life of ease and luxury. I-should sleep in whatever mansion should please my

fancy. I should dine at the most noted restaurants —alone, 'tis true, but it would be none the less gratifying to mo. I should play pool and ''.billiards at the most exclusive clubs, and. bathe in their marble pools. Satirically I reflected that'my-games of solitaire should at least be free from interruption. In my motor I should ride, about as I wished. Immune from all laws am I, save those of my own making. lam the court of last appeals in all cases. I rule the world, and it is mine. Alexander was all-powerful, and sighed for more worlds to conquer, yet how puny his position when compared to mine! I who own the world, and can travel even to where the West meets the East without once leaving my private estates, can surely laugh at the Cresars, Napoleons, and all the famous nionarchs of history.

I glanced about the room, and, as 1 noted the luxuiiousness of the appointments, and realised that' there could be no living claimants, knew that it all belonged to mo. The books, paintings, tapestries,, jewels—all, all belonged'to me. At last my dreams of wealth were to be realised.

With feverish greed I determined to start at once upon my life of luxury. I looted the house. Precious genii were there, and from a wall-safe, which I broke opcil with a sledge-hammer procured from the basement, I took twenty thousand dollars. This was more moiic' than I had ever seen before, and it was all mine. I worked' fast, and when I had finished the v.ealth of Monte Cristo seemed cheap.

Determining on vast explorations, 1 decided to have the aid of an automobile. Investigation disclosed a garage in the rear of the house. Forcing an entrance, I selected a large touringcar, as best adapted to my purposes. . Having had considerable experience with machinery of all kinds; driving ..the car. offered .no-difficulties. Throwing the sledge-hammer into the scat, as likely to'prove of use, I started the. motor and jumped in. I saw no living thing as I sped along, regardless of all speed laws. Here and there, however, I observed a prostrate form, probably some belated pedestrian who had not reached Ms Led before being overcome. In the heart of the business section I halted. The whirring of the engine of my motor-car was the only sound on the quiet air.More frequently now did I find the still stark figures, telling so graphically the havoc of the comet's work. The" lay in fantastic attitudes, yet still—awfully, horribly still. Many times had I walked un and down this street rife with the turmoil of a busy Western city. In grim retrospection 1 considered my often hungry and penniless condition with my present affluence. Now I rode in a magnificent motor-car, with priceless gems and twenty thousand dollars m my pockets. All that was necessary to fill my automobile to .overflowing with diamonds and gold would be a few blows here and there with my sledge-hammer. Finding myself in front of a large store, and seeing samples of the latest fashions for men displayed m the windows, I became painfully aware .that mv own raiment was rather, shabby for a gentleman of my wealth and station. The window itself offering the slightest resistance to entrance, with one blow it was smashed. -I wandered through the entire store, making selections here and there and emerged clad in the height of fashion Ihe satisfaction the feel of goods of fine texture gave me would be hard to doI soon noticed that the afternoon was drawing to a close, and before darkness overtook me it would perhaps be well to make my plans for the night. Deciding upon a well-known clubhouse as mv sleeping-place, it did not take long 'to reach it. The door was open, and the few figures lying about were only those of attendants, no attention to them. ' I was quite tired and hungry, as 1 had eaten nothing since morning save the beef tea and crackers, so my nrst thought was to find the kitchen. l!>verythin" was stale and ill-smelling, and 1 soon"was forced to realise that my food for the future would consist largely oi canned goods. T refreshed myself with the best the kitchen afforded. It was growing dark rapidly, and, piocuriflg a candle, I started in search of a bedroom. The first door I tried yielded to my touch. Finding the room elegantlv furnished, with windows overlooking the street, I prepared to spend the night comfortably. Tired as I was, I had a curiosity to sec sotne of the beauties of the famous clubhouse,- which now belonged solely to inc. My investigations were cut short at the room next my own. As 1 pushed open the door, my flickering candle disclosed, a large room. In the, centre was a large table, around which were seated eight gentlemen attired m evening dress. , As 'I gazed upon the scene horrostricken, my knees trembled as with the ague. The party had ' obviously been engaged in a friendly game of poker, when .death overtook it.. Gazing froni-fa'ce to face, I was struoK bv the similarity of the, expression. AH wore terrible-looking smiles upon their countenances. Hideous grins would probably better express it. Stopping to think of it, I remember that everybody I have seen, has had the same 'awful'look. This seems strange, yet 1 recall now having read that cyanogen was'akin to laughing-gas. Horrible! These gentlemen—and, in fact, everybody—had gone to their death laugliThe- gruesomeness of it all was getting on mv nerves, and I hastily retreated to mv own room. Unconsciously I searched for the electric-light switch, and was at first surprised when the lights failed to respond, though 1 had already made provision for this r-mrrwnov. I wont to a washstand to bathe" mv fevered brow, but found no water. Of course —how could I expect running wnter when there were none hut dead men to tend the pumpingstntions? , . Numerous inconveniences were being encountered which would seriously. interfere with the life of luxury and ease T had planned for myself. Of what use is all the money in the world when one must prepare one's own meals, live bv the li.nrlit of randies, and search for n stream to bathe in. even tboufh surrounded by marble baths? But, above

all, of^wKat'"-iiso;' is.'it when one bus only .dead jiiett'fbr 'companions P Surely. [ Robinson'SCfusqe- on his lonely island was fortunate, compared with me, for did-he nblr'have'h'is man Friday, a dog, and a parrot to bear him company? As'l lay on my pillow, these and other thoughts burned through my brain; and, exhausted- though I was, I could not 'sleep. The/images of the horrible laughing figures; in the very next room I could hot wipe l ;out of my mind. Tho still,'awful quiet was awe-inspiring, and at length I jumped; from the bed and ran out iii the street. •My companion of the day was standing- at the curb pst as I had left it. and a welcome' sight it was. I tried the light with a match, and to my great joy two beams of white light were soon shining through the black night air. Yet tho dreadful stillness:-enveloped me. ' A happy thought occurred. Grasp- ! ing the starting crank of tho car, I " gave it a turn, and the powerful motor : revolved, with a loud bark. I throttled 1 the engine to a slower speed, and the 1 soft purring of the engine was abso- ; -lutely the most beautiful music I" have '. ever heard. Wrapping myself in a lap- ■ robe, I curled up in the tonneau and fell into a calm slumber. I might add that this is the only way I have been able to sleep since then, and the automobile has been my only bed. To give in detail the history of tho succeeding days, would' be largely repetition. The horror and lonesomeness of my situation has increased with each passing hour. ' For* the first few days I was busy getting together a collection of money and precious stones that soothe'd my greedy'longing for wealth. I soon saw the usefulness of this, however, and making a careful selection of the finest, discarded tho balance. What a condition of affairs when a simple box of sardines is of more value'to a man • than millions of dollars in gold! I saw many pathetic scenes, but thp main'trouble was my terrible lonesomeness. This grew by leaps and bounds as the (lays passed. Oh! for the sight of a living, breathing thing, be it ever so mean or low. One day, after brooding at length on my troubfes, and perhaps somewhat unbalanced mentally, J drove at great speed to the City Hall, and standing in the seat of my auto, with-my hands full of diamonds ana gold, 1 yelled at the top of my voice: "I will give fifty million dollars for a live rat!" Hollow echoes reverberating between tall skyscrapers were my only answer. Day after day passed in monotonous succession. Disappointment followed disappointment, and I soon found''tinpleasures I had outlined for myself empty and hollow. How false my'first exultation had been was rapidly and forcibly proven, until now I feel that the curse of the Wandqring .Jew was a blessing compared with my plight. Ho at least had the companionship of fellowmen, while I am alone. Back and forth I Went, to and fro, from one end of the city to the other. Tho horrible things I saw would fill volumes, but I am weakening rapidly, and they would probably be matters of small interest to any discoverer of my story. They had the effect, however, of so disarranging my mental equilibrium that I could bear them no longer. I resolved to leave the city and cross the continent.

Loading my machine with nil the supplies I could conveniently handle, I sot out one bright morning. , The fresh country air revived my spirits somewhat, and the first few days were fairly enjoyable. I,drove steadily, and covered groat distances each day. My greatest pleasures were found in bathing in the cool streams I camo across, livery town presented terrible, sights. But description of them would

prove monotonous. Nowhere did I succeed in discovering a breathing thing. Eventually I made my entrance, into the city of New York, but in a manner far different from what I had always planned for. I started to walk through the Hudson Tunnel, but, with nerves unstrung by the gruesomeness of my past experiences, I became afraid, and abandoned that plan for a small launch. I went up and down the river from tho Battery to Grant's Tomb, securing an excellent view of the sky-line of New York, pictures of which I had often seen. The large Atlantic liners lying at. their docks were interesting to me. I boarded a famous vessel, renowned for its record-breaking trips, and as I passed from deck to deck, I regretted that I had no crew to take me across the ocean for further explorations in tho. Old World.

Several months have passed since my arrival in New York. I have covered the entire city and all the surrounding country; I have been to Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, hut the saddest portion of my whole sad experience was my visit to AVashington. As I stood alone in the great halls of Congress, a feeling indefinable came over me. The Capitol of the United States of America, absolutely deserted forevermore, wns a thought unbearable. The proud nation had been wiped out, but had struck her colors to no enemy, and hud only succumbed with the rest of the entire world. And I, an American', am the historian of the fact.

I was glad enough to return to New York, and havo not left it since. Nothing has served to ease my state of mind.' To-day I am a nervous and physical wreck. I can sleep but little. I can do nothing hut sit and think nil the day. How long I shall he able :to endure the terrible agony of it I cannot say. Unless something happens soon to break the monotonous lonesomcncss, I am sure I shall go mnd. This cup of bitterness is more than T con hear. Am I expiating some terrible sin ? How soon will death with its welcome scythe conic to release me fn.in this awful thraldom?

And so endeth the human race. OiU> chapter of eternity has 'been written. "What a strange fate it is that places in my hand the privilege of writing finis to the History of the World. These strange thoughts havo started my brain buzzing, and a peculiar feeling of dizziness seems overpowering me; a.feeling of nausea is steadily becoming more noticeable. Can. it be that another attack of my terrible disease i" xipon me, and I am again to pass into a deathlike trance? Or, is it the end? How I welcome the thought! Has the strain been too great, and'.is the slender cord of life about to snap? I hope eo with an earnestness I have never known before. The dizziness grows more intense; I can scarcely see to write; my hand trembles, my head wags from sido to side, and I —and I—-I—-