The New Orleans crescent., 1869-01-17
Hanueinafion.
QUEER CASE OF SPECTRAL ILLUSION.
IFron the Nashville Press, Jan.5l

sa From the Nashville Press. Jan 81
On the evening of December 3Oth.. Mrs.. earn
line Proud, who lives In South Nashville. at the
house of her brother, was the subject of strange
halucination, or spectral appearance, which IL
worthy of mention. On the afternoon of the dav
IN question Mrs. Proud had been arranging large
box OF family effects, among which were nun.
Der OF things which belonged to her father now
1esd something Ike six years. She read several
letters which she had received from him shortly
before his death, and had arranged SONS family
papers which had been bequeathed her. She
says enc was conscious Of having the scenes of
her ia.ners Illness and death: and the subsequent
breaking up Of the household, vividIy brought to
ner remembrance by her anusual employment.
these impressions were deepened by the sudden
remembrance that IL was on the afternoon of De.
Semoer SOtn SIX years befores that her father had
papers, books and documents, there was large
box of them, and considerable time was con-
sumed) she Joined her brothers family in the
titung room and engaged in pleasant conversa-
tion for more than half an hour during which
time 81 the gloomy and somber reflections
which had possessed her while looking
over the family relics were dissipated, and she
vas In an exceedingly pleasant frame of
mind when she arose to 90 into q distant apart.
ment tog get long unused article of apparel which
che designed fixing over for New Years mas.
querade party. She left the family room hmm.
ming q familiar air, traversed the hall, climbed
the stairway and reached the apartment. ana.
den light shcne into the room through thick cnr
tains, and the air was close and unwhoesome
rom long confinement, as the place was used as
sort OF store,room for articles seldom needed.
around the walls hung various articles of clothing
OF male and female attire, and sundrv boxes wa,s
pheo up IA the corners. while a roll of carpeting
sno an old hearth rug occupied the center of the
hoor Hardly had she advanced q step into the
room, when pausing TO let her eye become accus.
.omeq 70 me lghf, which was rather dim even at
noonday, but was becoming sombered as daylight
FADED away, she saw a vivid and startling appsri-
NOD Right before her, and between the GARNET |
and the fsrther wall. she beheld the image other
iather; de was dressed in black, with white neck
lie, as had been his custom on the Sahbafb ana /
in his hand be held pray book. The facs vas
vlvidly natural but wore milder and more beuic. |
nant look than during life, and the ewes. with an
expression OF love and sympathy, gazed full upon
the daughter. NPSH
iDgly steadfastly regarded the appartioo, expect.
ing to see II dissolve into some strange arrange.
ment OF the articles Of clothing hanging against
the WALL but she looked in vain, the image, mean.
wni,e, becoming more distinct, and at last starting
as II TO approach. The astonished and terrified
woman saw no more. sudden and agonized
shrek startled the house and when the family
came rushing 10 the spot they found her Iving
'eDseess In the doorway, with the key of the room
sun ci1'ched FAST in her hand. Restoratives were
,pphed, and the woman was soon able 10 relate
he cause of her terror. Meanwhile. the room
lad been carefully examined, bat nothing was ont
y place nor could any unusual appearance be
liscovered. The window was fastened and the
lnoistuIped dust on the floor showed that the
)lace had not been entered for months.
Mrs. Proud was III with fever for Several davs
fter witnessing this strange apparition, bat YES.
erday, as we were informed, had about gained
er usual strength.
As the lady In question has never been troubled
nth any affection of the visual organs. nor ever
efore saw, or imagined she saw, a phantom. this
lust certainly be considered q very queer case.