Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-05-05

3 OF her declining health; ard when
sat with him i'll the pew, while he stood
Up loudly to proclaim the duties of christi
anity, his words fell like mOckaries upos
those around, who glanced { t the practical
proof of his hypocrisy in the flower wither-
ing by his side.
A week after the funeral, Mr.. Drury re-
turned to his home, to find it empty. The
cold, rebuking looks of those who respond
ed to his frantic inquiries as to her sudden
death end funeral, did pierce his hard
heart with shame at last; but his remorse
bad come TOO late. Those who had once ex-
hibited semblance of regard for him. now
studlously Stunned him, and he bad no
courage any more to lift his voice in church.
Her seat In the pew, gloomy as her tomb,
was vacant. The admonitiOns of the pass
tor, to act as we'll as to profess the christ
ian character, went like daggers to his
breast; and even his home was now less
comforting than the church; for every
room spoke OF the absent feet, every arti-
Gle of the missing hand of Estelle.
His grief was no transient one, for the
unbending nature of the man had little
elasticity. The tlow which bowed had
broken him, and be had not the happy
faculty of those who sympathizing in them
selves, can readily court and find the SYM
pa:hy of others. Ae felt that the Judgment
OF God was on him in his declining years,
and the desOlatiOn which had finally reach.
ed and made him humble, prevented him
from any attempt to excuse his unfeeling
conduct toward his daughter. This mark
ed and permanent change in him did, in
time, incite pity from some, and the tongue
OF reproach, at least, was silenced in 9th
ers; for all felt that his punishment was
"greater than he could bear" and that the
hand OF heaven was dealing sufficiently
with him. The downcast eve and the
bending form of the man with the once
bold brow and port erect, made him q
warning where he moved.
Nearly two years have rolled by since
the funeral, when one day the neighbour
hood was surprised by the announcement
OF an exhibition of ventriloquism and
iegerdemain, to be given in tho town hall,
by Professor Lester Carroll" 1t was sup.
posed that the death of Estelle had been
the cause of his sudden departure Bfter
that event, he wishing to escape the sight
and haunting memories of the "pIaces
which had known her, to know her no
$500 - 90 NV sDhI
Carroll had formally shown much fondness
ano talent Tor ameteur exploits in the pro-
tession which now he mad adopted. Till
now he had not been heard Of and it was
resolved to give him profitable greeting
at the hall
On the day preceding the exhibition,
Carroll called upon various acquaintance
and finally, with Annie Ware, visited Ma
than Drury; for he had heard that the old
man had often avOwed his sorrow for for
mer harshness, AMI had lost the bitterness
OF his bigOtry in the bitterness of grief.
Tears aud means. and wringing Of hands,
marked the sad but friendly reception Of
the man whom kindness might have made
his son-in-law, and spared him world OF
afiictiln. They discoursed long upon the
virtues Of Estelle, and Carroll saw that the
mind Of Nathan D5ury had become weak
ened by trouble, and that, in tho vlace Of
fanaticism, superstitious notions, which
perhaps an excess Of real christianity, had
taken strong hold upon him. He had
become believer in mysterious omens. in
prophetic dreams, and supernatural ap
pearances; AMI declared that several times
he had positively seen EStelle, whbn his
senses were not confused by sleep, passing
before him. and with smile.
Neither Carroll nor Annie Ware ex.
pressed an opinion as to the probable cor>
rectuess of this belief, but the former took
advantage OF it to invite Mr.. Drury 70 his
entertainment, at which, as already an
nounced in the bills. one of the feuts OF
megic was to test his assumed power tC
cause the apparition of any une dead per.
son, mentioned by the audience, to be pres
ent on the stage, and sometimes ever
to speak to them, in the familiar tones and
manner peculiar to the person when alive
Mr.. Drury assented, family and mourn.
fully, and attended in the evening. accom-.
panied by DR.. Brace and Miss Ware. The
ball was crowded. and the feats of yep.ril
oquism and necromancy astounded all: bu,
these surprised them no more than did the
presence Of Nathan DIury, once 50 hostil,
to Lester Carroll as well as to all .'Vair
shows" A few of the goddess ones inter.
changed sly looks and nudges, Uttered and
whispered that the deacon had become
really converted at last; while others sale
they expected soon to see him rise and de
nOuce the the exhibition ! But their idea,
were speedil made to take solemn turn
Il have now arrived at the closing fea.
ture OF the programe; the most melancholy
to be sure, but the most interesting of all )
said the Professor. at may not be a tes
of my power actually to bring the dead e
life: but feel sure that you will consider
it sufficient proof of my ability to call :
life like ar2arition of the dead to appear
and even to speak, if questioned by som,
friend who knew the person in life. Whom
shall summon 2"
Call Estelle." Immediately responded
DIR Brace, who was seated in front, beside
MIR. Drury and Annie. Call Estelle Dru
ry, who was known and beloved by 81
many among u.s."
Carroll bowed, and mHttering an incan
donation in Latin accompanied BY mysti,
gestures, and plaintive music, be concluded
with the words;
Esprit of Estelle Drury! if the wish O
the living, who loved and mourn thee, ha
influence with thee still, by the spell O
their grief and affection, I adiure thee t.
appear. Come as they were wont to Sc
thee. Come ! in the attire and look of life
Cornell And if shou seest that their heart
do not mock thee, add to the wonder of th,
seeming resurrection the raasic of TIL
voice, and speak to them. Appear"
Retiring 90 the back of the stage as h,
spoke, while perfect silence prevailed
throughout the hall, aud the eyes of tn
absorbed father were riyited upon him
Carroll made reckoning gesture, and il
another moment his conjuration was obsy
ed; for there. in the place which he bat
occupied, stood the familiar figure of Estell
Drury, have glided uOislessly in from OH
side.
The semblance was so complete as t.
cause general admiration, mingled will
horror; and while many strained their eve
as if to detect any deception, if deception
there was, Nathan Drury rose from hi