Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-09-08
The Spirits /

of " Of the foolish antics Of the knockers
than the following from our witty friend Of
the ST. Louis Times. His revelations :"
are certainly quite as interesting and truthful.
indeed, as many that are now days paraded
before the public BY the professors and
mediums Of the day:
An Hour Vith tlc Spirits-A friend
Of ours on the levee, yesterday, informed US
that some very mysterious revelations, for
several days past, had taken place in his
store, and excited our surprise 50 much, by
what We thought some supernatural agency,
that We went down with him, in order to sat
isfy ourselves. Slowly we walked to the
back part Of his store-by the by, dark as
dungeon-when he suddenly stopped and ex-
claimed:
Hark did you hear that scratch ?"
We made three jumps for the front door.
With nervous grasp he caught US by the arm,
and allayed our fears, with the assurance that
it was nothing but the cat Arrived at the
extreme end, by the feeble light of the vault
window we were able to discern around US
huge piles of coffee, salt bags and barrels.
We didn't feel at all comfortable, for the enor-
nous rats would sometimes put US IN a tremor
as they dashed by, rubbing their sleek sides
against our legs.
Our friend laid his hand on our shoulders,
and in a very sepulchral voice, inquiring if
We were willing to go on, at the same time adj
monishing US to be calm and put our trust in
Providence.
"Shall raise the devil ?" said he
We begged him not to try. Slowly he ap-
preached the wall and took therefrom glass
vial, appended to a string.
"This," said he, san important agent in
the phenomena l am about to exhibit to you
in fact, viii prove what you are about to
see."
He stepped off one side, and took from a
salebag a wooden mallet with long handle
This" said he "is an indispensable ar
ticle for the successful accomplishment Of this
startling mystery. l call it the spirit eluci-
dator; vulgar professors, however, term it by
the more common name Of bung starter. ,"
Suddenly roaring sound almost deadened
our senses. We thought mist came over
our eyes, and faint blue blaze was burning
around US. We we're about to CAVE in, when
our friend again came to the rescue and some
what calmed u.s. by telling US that the noise
which wo had heard was Of earth-that twas
the rattling Of the drays upon the stony street
above while Lucifer match, which he held
in his hand, explained the blue blaze which
VIC had began to think issued from the inferno
lie took US by the hand, and we approached
a veteran barrel
"This 'bung starter, said he, holding it
out in his hand, "of itself can do nothing,
yet, in my hand is the involuntary slave Of
power you Il see manifested-shut your eyes.
We closed our peppers very tight, not
knowing what was going to come next when
rap. rap rap; was distinctly heard on the
side Of the barrel Wonderful man thought
we. Our friend now took the vial with the
string, and bidding us not to be afraid, at the
same time telling us to lay our hand upon the
barrel, in solemn and measured tones thus
spoke:
question: Spirit, are you there Who
arc you?"
Answer" Old Rye am that -
O." do you feel good ?"
A" Very"
O." How long since you passed from
earth ?"
A" Some time"
o. Where did it happen ?"
A.-"In Pike county; l was cut of at
quite a green age and fingered in the barn."
Q.-"Was your demise natural q
A-"Oh, very-I was mashed in distil-
lcry"
o." What sphere arc you in :"
A" Fourth proof
O." What is the highest state Of spiritu-
al cxistence!"
A" The roctifed state"
o." Any body there you know"
A" Yes-John Barley Corn, an old
rot gut a
Here a sudden splash was heard in the
barrel. We sortcr swooned when our friend
applied the glass vial to our mouth, and
taking it away said that the Spirit pas gone.
We rubbed our stomachs and felt perfectly
satisfied that he had not deceived Us.
IRISH EVIDENCE" Pray. my good man. I
said Judge to an Irishman, who was wit