Ambrose Bierce

Black Beetles in Amber Ambrose Bierce

Book Excerptn mists and shadows of the night time. "Sire,"Said Waterman, his agitable wickStill sputtering, "what calls you back so quick?It scarcely was a century agoYou left us." "I have come to bring," said Nick,"St. Peter's answer (he is never slowIn correspondence) to your applicationFor pardon--pardon me!--for commutation."He says that he's instructed to reply(And he has so instructed me) that sinLike yours--and this poor gentleman's who's inFor bad advice to you--comes rather high; But since, apparently, you both beginTo feel some pious promptings to the right, And fain would turn your faces to the light, Eternity seems all too long a term. So 'tis commuted to one-half. I'm quitePrepared, when that expires, to free the wormAnd quench the fire." And, civilly retreating, He left them holding their protracted meeting. A LIFTED FINGER[The Chronicle did a great public s