Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1829-08-20


", when she has heard it alone in the
house. Not long since, however, she quo
ted to it a passage Of Scripture, which
pious friend had advised her to rnemorize
for that purpose, Il Tim. /, Isl and it |
babe her hold her jaw, but she persisted in
quoting the passage until it hushed, and
has not spoken to her since. Since so
many persons went to hear it, it has be-
come very shy and is seldom heard when
many persons are about, or when any per-
son is in the house except the smaller
children. They never have been able to
ascertain who, or what it is, or the object of
its visit. II has told its name repeatedly,
but cannot be understood. 1t will not an
swer; any serious or religious questions.-.
When asked whether ii is man or a
woman, it said it was the foolishest ques-
ton it had ever heard, and appeared to
laugh.
The Rev. Mr.. Hodges visited the FAM
lily several times and held meeting at
their request, without hearing any thing.
However,on the 25th of May, Mr.H being
in the neighborhood, and calling at the
house of Mr.. N. Mrs. N informed Mr..
Hodges, she had just been to Mr.. Burnett's
and heard the voice-Mr. Fl. Immediately
rode over in company with Mr.. John Shep-
herd. Mr.. S. went up to the house first
to get the children iE the house to talk to
it, and after it commenced, upon signal
given, Mr.. Fl. went up to the house and
seated himself in the piazza. A little boy
eight or nine years ofage, stood just inside
of the door to ask any questions which
were suggested to him by the company.
1t initiated various noises in a whistle,
such as the Growing of the cock, clucking
Of a hen, noise of partridge, &c. and an
swered variety Of simple questions
There were but few answers that Mr.. H.
could understand, but when interpreted by
the family, who were more accustomed to
hear it, he could then trace out some re-
semblance. Some words however were
pronounced very plain, such as kitten, yes,
no, goose-quill, &c. The family say,
that it generally spoke much more distinct
ly and could be much better understood,
than on this occasion. Mr.. Shepherd says
The same. 1t was understood however to |
say it knew Mr.. H. pronounced its name
distinct, said it got acquainted
with him there, and that it did not like him.
When Mr.. Fl. spoke and said, IT have
come to drive you away" it was under
stood to reply "Do if you dare" Du-
ring the conversation with it, which lasted
about an hour, no person was present, ex-
cept Mr.. Burnett's wife, Mr.. Shepherd
and Mr.. Hodges with the small children.
The oldest was the little girl above men,
toned, who was in the yard with the little
children. No one was in the inside fthe
house except the little boy who asked the
questions. The reason why he was put
thore to ask questions was, because for
some time it had ceased to speak to any
but the children. There were also in the
kitchen, about twenty PAGES distant, ne
gro woman, and an idiot girl, spinning and
weaving, who could not have heard what
passed in the house. The two older sons
were absent, at work on the farm. Mr.. s.
and Mr.. H. after the conversation ended,
examined the house and found nothing
During the time of conversation it was ask
ed to sing a song,i said it did not know any.
Mr.. Fl. whistled a sacred tune, but said it |
wouldn't do. 1t then whistled Yankee
Doodle very distinctly. When Mr.. II. |
first heard of the circumstance he very
naturally was led 10 suspect that it proceed
ed from some one in the neighborhood, or
family, who possessed the art of ventrilo-
quism. But against that opinion lies the
following objections, viz: LIST. It is certain
it is no one, not of the family, as no such
person has been seen whereabouts at the
times when it was heard, and no person
could be there always without being seen,
especially in the day time. I'd. Mr.. Bur-
nett and wife, whose word will be taken,
by all who know them, state that no one
individual of the family, who could posi-
bly, be suspected of such thing, is always
present at such times. They state positive
ly it has been heard when the negro wo-
man, 1.-THE only servant about the house)
was in the field to work. It has been
heard when the two older sons, who were
nearly grown were absent, as was the fact
when Mr.. H. heard it. 1t has been heard
when all the other children were at school,
except the two youngest, one Of which is
three years old, the other an infant. The
idiot girl, who has not the intelligence
which this invisible being manifests, &C
cording to the testimony Of all who have
heard it. Furthermore. even supposing
any of,he children possessed this faculty,
and had the disposition to carry on the
dNrNnfion fnr 90 1onU n Time IN Tho av;-