The Shasta courier., 1868-06-20

anu nopcu L WOulu not strike man who
would not lift hand in self defence but 1
told him that had no scruples whatever
against such proceeding in his case-that
he was coward as well as rascal-after
which | went at him right and left, in the
same fashion that the schoolmaster used to
serve me when l was boy, until he begged
like dog, and promised to take himself off
out of the town, and never set foot in it again
during the remainder of his natural life
After this, the mediums made themselves
pretty scarce about my house for some time.
declaring was so positive" that destroy-
ed the :. conditions" didn't exactt, ra-
derstand what they meant, but l was sure
that was bettering my own condition by
keeping them away, | didn't care much.
l had never attended Spiritual circle,
but at last l consented to go to one, Just to
please Mrs. jenkins, who always declared
that she was sure | should be converted if
would only go to the meetings and investi-
gate The circle opened with a prayer by
Lorenzo Dow, given through one of the me-
diums. after which the spirit declared him
self ready to answer questions. Mrs. j.
whispered to me that now was my chance !;
SO l asked
=" MIR. Dow, do you retain all your facul-
ties as you possessed them while on earth ?''
:" do, was the ready response.
Your memory of events which transpired
in your mortal life, is good, suppose?''
at is"
Mr.. Dow, where were you at the time of
your death ?''
I" can't remember" said the spirit, after
a moments hesitation.
"What was the cause of your death ?"
forget" replied the Reverend gentle
man; while the two other mediums nut
their heads together, and whispered loud
enough for me to hear, =. He'll break I'D the
harmony, destroy the conditions" &C., &c.
We'll, Mr.. Dow," said |, without heed
ing the whispering and sorr faces which
greeted me all around the table. " you can
certainly remember to tell me the names of
your parents, and what town and State YOU
were born in ?' But before the words were
fairly out of my mouth, the medium opened
her eyes and declared that she felt the in
fuence of a sceptic in the room, and that she
could not remain in the circle another mo.
ment-whereupon she left the room, slam
ming the door after her in the most violent
and unspiritual manner.
4" Let us try to restore harmony by singing
John Brown" then said the solemn-faced
individual who "bossed the circle"
Accordingly John Brown was sung in
style that thought would have set the old
hero marching on in double quick time.
could he have heard it. if only to get out of
hearing of the discordant sounds. While
the singing was going on, one of the me-
diums, L observed, began to shake violently,
and pound the table with her hand in most
extraordinary and painful manner. A pen
ell and paper being handed her, the follow
ing communication was written -
The conditions is unharmonious here this
evening, and consequently we shall not be
able to give much tests. BENJAMIN FRANK
LIN"
After this was read aloud. there was more
whispering and more indignant glances at
me, but was not to be disconnected. | was
there to investigate, and intended to do so.
would like to ask Benjamin Franklin"
said l, whether he knows as much now as
he did when he left the earth ?"
Three loud raps signified :. Yes"
. | am glad to hear it. Mr.. Franklin"
said | " noticed that your grammar was
not quite correct, and was afraid you were
degenerating instead of progressing"
Here succession of loud raps were heard,
in token of the dispeasure of the spirit, as
one of the circle observed, at my light-mind-
ed remarks
Red Jacket was next announced. He was
very jubilant, and caused the medium to 90
through variety of new and original gym
nastic exercises, varying the performance by
chattering like a monkey and initiating the
to the infinite amusement and
delight of the company.
After these remarkable demonstrations had
subsided, Red Jacket condescended to open
a conversation with an old lady who sat next
to the medium.
You see any of my friends here?" she
inquired.
Yes, me see great many much friends
here" replied the warrior.
q Is my dear dead and gone husband JOSH
ua Smith, here?'
g Yes, him here"
Joshua, what speer be you in ?" inquired
the afflicted relict Of the dear dead and gone
j. S.
Him in very big high sphere" says Red
Jacket, consoing; " him very happy"
Poor creeter ~ sighed the old lady, wip-
ing her spectacles :" it's great comfort to
know he's gone so high up; he was always
ambitious man"
Red Jacket" said /, "Will you tell me
what tribe you belonged to when you were
on earth )" but again my question came too
without even stopping to bid US goodnight!
After this. brief communications were re-
cieved from Thomas Paine, Theodore Parker,
and several others, to the effect that they
were in the seventh sphere, and consequent
ly in a state OF great bliss. They were glad
to meet us, bnt as the g conditions" were un
favorable, they could not give us ''much
tests"-the last part of which remark con-
sidered a true one
am not believer in Spiritualism yet as
the phenomena are manifested through the
popular mediums My wife begins to des-
pair of my ever being converted to the faith,
and, to tell the truth, i thing the case is
very doubtful one myself. When find one
good, sensible medium, with vigorous body
and sound mind, who isn't everlastingly
pratting about g impressions" conditions"
and " magnatism. but who can talk ration
ally on the subject, have promised Mrs
jenkins that will investigate it in right
good earnest. But am afraid l shall never
have the chance to fulfill my promise
TIE woman who fails to reform a man of
the habit of drinking while engaged to him,