The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-08-23
The TahIea Turnad.
BY THE AUTHOR OF LIVING OR DEAD 2"
AND 1.-THE DEsBoROUGHs."
CHAPTER I,

Tables turned, indeed?' cried Mr.
Bounce, with an air of ineffable disdain
No, no, Mr.. Silvertree, have not lived
in the world upwards Of fifty years to be
cheated by an cid woman's tale at last =
Don't trust too much to your own in
credulity, sir, said Mark Silvertree, grave
ly; tables now a-days play odd sort of
pranks, as for instance
Don't tell me don't tell me? cried
Mr.. Bounce, waving his hand with dignity;
| don't want to hear it! should not
believe it If | saw the table spin round
like a teetotum.'
'.Ob, Mr. RoDnrp hon ron Won ~ sim
, r-,~A Wle Cinest OF the three Misses Pop
plewOod, lost ia G6NicA@ts,, VI nis uraS cry.
How can ? returned Mr.. Bounce,
sNSesdin& hi'Use0 0ut 0N the hearthrng.
ann nrS~ p00i person seemed amosr 60
cover it; 'how can II Why, because
am an EOglishman, and not to be hum
bugged. In these days, ma'am, people
will be humbugged-they like it. But
am not Of the number, thank heaven! No
one shall humbug met
But, said Mark Silvertree, as if un.
willing to drop the subject, making al
loWance for sundry pieces of mischief,
there are still wonderful stories told of
these same tables One might almost
fancy them to be links between US and
the world of spirits
Nonsense! cried Mr.. Bounce, angrily;
don't be putting such absurd notions in
to peoples heads. There is my friend
Sioctaie tSEgHiog az p&le Ss ghost
Mr.. Archibald Sinclair was the owner
of large handsome country house, now
well filled with guests. He was middle
aged, with small withered face, restless
eyes, and an uncomfortable expression
about his mouth. No one could say his
appearance was progressing, or his stiff,
restrained manner agreeable. Yet, If the
eye wanders through the apartment, it
will rest on q fair-haired girl in the first
bloom of her youth and beauty. This is
Mr.. Sinclair's ward, and she has given her
word to become, on the following morning,
Mr.. Sinclair's bride.
Poor Lucy Dove, though she looks so
bright and happy, has had her dreary
passages in life. Mr.. Sinclair, her guar
dian, with whom she has resided from
childhood, had nephew Frank, called by
his uncle, Frank ne'er- r-do-well!' But
in spite of this ominous title, Frank was
a favorite with everybody. He was an
open-hearted, generous fellow, little too
reckless, but with plenty Of good stuff in
him. lie fell in love with his uncle'S
pretty ward, as q matter Of course, and
asked her to marry him. Lucy returned
his affection, and little romance was ac-
ted out between them. 1t lasted six
months. and then was broken up by his
uncle sending Frank to sea- Frank could
not help himself, as it happened, for his
fortune was in his uncle'S hands, and the
young scape-grace was still minor. But
he was soothed by the promise that on his
return Lucy should he his wife, So,
though the parting was full Of bitterness,
as such partings must be. it was not de-
void Of hope and consolation.
Lucy cOrresponded with her lover,
writing him long letters, warm from her
heart, and blottcd with tears, as she
thought Of the cruel sea that had him at
its mercy. The winter came, and the sea
was unusually outrageous, and strewed
the coast with wrecks. Then came Lucy's
second and complete bereavement. Her
guardian broke it to her gently, and, for
him, tenderly. Franks vessel had gone
down. and all on board had perished.-
This tragedy had taken place six months
ago and now mark the tickleness of wo.
man! Lucy's tears are dry, and to-mor-
row is TO be her wedding-day! Mr. Sin
clair does not look so light-hearted as his
bride elect, by many a degree. lie is
more restless than usual he has an ab
sent way Of answering, and queer habit
of seeming always to be listening. Every
one knows that he is marrying Lucy for
her fortune; but what her motive can be
in marrying him, no one has yet OWNED.
1t is the oldest affair that has happened
for many day.
But all this time Mark Silvertree is pur-
suing with great ardor the subject OF the
table.
Look said he, at that great, old.fash.
ioned piece Of furniture. Its legs are GER
tainly not made for walking. 1t has no
powers of locomotion and yet, let US but
join hands around il, and the electric chain
will pass like an invisible current. The
table cannot long Withstand it. 1t will
move, at first slowly, and with effort
Then faster and faster, till it spins around
with astonishing velocity.
Dear me! how extraordinary ex-
claimed the three Misses POpplewood in a
breath, and drawing nearer to Mark, as if
for protection.
Il assure you it is fact, said Mark,
dogmatically; and if our host has no OBJ
lection, l should just like to try it, for the
fun of the thing-that is if no one will be
frightened he added, looking at Mr.
Bounce.
What! frightened at the table y cried
Mr.. Bounce, laughing in derision, while a
few strong minded women of the party
pressed forward as if ready to defy every
danger.
Mark now turned to his host for per-
mission.
You are quite welcome to take what
liberties you please with my table, said
Mr.. Sinclair, with his uncomfortable smile;
all ! stipulate for is, that am not to be-
lieve in an absurdity.'
W NcIts buSu1 ooiN N1ot NJ onttuuy lOi h
ing circle around the table, 4 have just
word or two more to add. This matter
of the table.turning, he added very grave.
ly, is rather serious business. Tables
are, as l said before, links between US and
the world Of spirits-mediums, as they are
called. l could, if l chose, address some
one whose voice we never expected to
bear again; yes, and be answered
The three Misses PopplewOod uttered
faint shrek, Mr.. Bounce clustered loudly,
Lucy quietly withdrew to the farthest
corner Of the room, while Mr.. Sinclair
scowed at Mark Silvertree with as evil a
look as one human being could cast at an
other.
Still popular curiosity was reused. No
one believed a word about it, and yet ev-
erybody would like to try.
Mark was just the man for the occasion
-self-possesSed- and adroit. There was
neatness in all his actions. He marshaled
the OueSfS in their nlacps Tucv forming