The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-08-14
a Romantic Incident in Central Park
A Woman meets her Dead Lover in the
Rodv of a Swan.

Body Of a Swan.
The ancient Greeks were firm believers in met
empsychosis, or the transmigraticn OF souls, and
as logically contended for their faith Us do the
Andrew jackson Davises 81 al oBsHe genus of the
present day for spiritualism. Indeed, until Num-
Ter produced his photographs of the real presence
OF the departed with the living, spirItuaiism
rested on n vastly more mythical basis than the
belief of the followers Of Pythngoras. An even
to-day mythology occasionally reyives itself to
contest with EpirItualism the control OF modern
mind. We have an instance in illustration that
utterly ~eclipses Numbers spiritual photographs,
and places the faith Of the ancients much ahead
Of spiritualiSm. 20 far a. that form Of belief has
yet been developed.
Pythagoras taught that after death The souls of
the departed took refuge in other mortal bodies
that the soul Of man might, at his death, take
possession Of n bird or q quadruped, or any other
animate creation. AS sequence 10 this belief,
the soul, being of divine essence, would in its
new dwelling, be able to recognize the forms Of
those it loved and associated with in its original
form as man, though deprived Of the power OF
communicating by word with them. Such was
metemp-ychOsIs. Now for the revival OF this an
cient faith after It's slumbers for two thousand
years.
a lady, not unknown in metropolitan circles,
was engaged 10 be married n few years since TO n
young gentleman Of high character and social
standing, n scion Of one of the best families OF
lItltltLt1u. ~ tl-tEtAlFAt "do a mCN A@lPI
one. and challenged the warnest congratulations
of the friends Of either party. Time passed on,
and the contamination of the happiness OF the
was mt hand. Cards for the nuptial ceremony
were prepared the bridal trousseau was COM
pIete ; ali the arrangements for the interesting
event were perfected and, with mutual impa-
thence, the betrothed pair counted the hours that
must intervene ere they should be inseparably
joined. The last evening arrived. On the fol-
lowing morning they were to be married. That
evening the two had arranged to PASS in each
others comuany. The fair lady arranged her
toilet with scrupulous care, IN order To please the
one she loved so well. The appointed hour ar
rived but he came not. An hOar later, and still
he tarried. Impatiencc gave place to just n tinge
Of anger-such anger as lovers indulge toward
each other. Another hour, and still no tidIngs.
came unbiddeD on the checks OF the dlsap-
pointed maiden, and vexatiOn brought bitter
thoughts to her mind. Midnight came with nci-
Their lover nor message. and all yexatiOn and
bitterness vanished before q rising apprehension
Of danger. sadly the disappointed one sought
and anxious doubts filed her mind and banishcd
sleep. And 80 a restless night wore away and
gave place to n sad morning for n wedding day.
however, the mystery Of her truant lovers
absence was removed IN the Notwithstanding an
that she would never sec him again
alive. His lifelezs body had been found at an
early hour in the morning near the lake in Cen
trail Park. How he had met his death was
inexplieable, and never was satisfactorily asccr-
The stricken maiden mourned as one
that refused to be comfortcd, and only suffered
consolation to creep into her wounded heart
through the influence oil foreign travel anu unia-
miliar scenes
In due time she returned to New York, her
bereavement cured 50 far a. to allow her to re-cn-
ter the society she 30 much adorns. Again che
was eagerly courted by the gallant bcaux Of the
day, and Mt last promised her hand to one well
aorr.r the rrfzs The cnurt9iIn has been m
agreeable one up to the moment of the singular
we now proceed TO relate.
The couple one afternoon last week took n drive
through the Park, up to Harlem lane, across
Am, and out to the region OF Ford
ham. Returning, the sun had set before they
entered the Park, making the drive through that
inclosurc more than ordinarily romantic
and enchanting On approaching the lake n flock
of swans were seen silently and motionlesSly
resting on ehe smooth water. The scene was too
from their carriage, and approaching one OF the
rustic seats provided near the waters edge, seated
themselves To enjoy the cool evening air, the lovely
moonlight, and the calm and poetic sccnc before
them.
They had been seated but n very few minutes,
and had scarcely breathed above whispers lest
they should disturb the placid stiffness that
about them, when suddenly they were
startled by n singular scream. coming apparently
from the midst of the flock Of sleeping swans.
Instantly turning their eyes in that direction,
they saw one of the graceful birds swimming has
thy directly toward them. They remained silent
until the bird reached tire waters edge, and then
were more surprised To see il come from the water
md walk rapidly, almost run, directly toward
The lady was at first alarmed, and made a
to escape but her companion, whose
curiosity was excited at these strange movements,
urged her to keep still. The swan came directly
TO her side, and laying Its head in her lap nestled
II closely to her as il well could, manifcsting the
delight Of having found an old friend. The lady
caressed it fondly, which seemed to intensity the
poor dumb creatures joy. The gentleman now
moved toward il and put forth his hand to pat il,
when the swan ruflcd its wings and Kissed n de-
lance ut the intrusion that caused its would-bc
friend to withdraw. Ii then replaced its head in
lady's lap and renewed it's manifestations of
delight.
The couple remained seated nearly halfa an hour,
he poor swan remaining all the time close to its
friend, and receiving her carcsses. Then they
,rOse to depart, when the swan also rose, and,
stretching It's neck, watched them far away
hen, uttcring n strangely wild shrek, returned
10 the water, and was soon IN the midst of Its or
linary companions
In the meantime. the lady, impressed by this
adventure, was 10th to leave the spot,
md finally persuaded her companion to return
With her and sec if the swan would renew its
Tisit to them. Very quietly they stole back and
tHe4E cSILSf OuI cShlccly NcIC Lucy
Gated when the swan again sung his delight, and
to the shore and to the lady's side. lie
the same rcpugnancc this time as be-
ore to the gentleman, and when they withdrew
,rOke out in the same mOurnful wall.
The third time they returned, but changed
cats. Still the swan detected the presence OF the
ady and came to her side, receiving and return
ng her carcsses, and angrily rejecting all others.
The circumstance was more singular from the fact
hat the lady had never visited the swans, and
ertainly never fed them, US 80 many visitors are
n the habit Of doing. Nor did she or her conl-
'anion on this evening make any noise or motion
o attract the attention of the swan, or give it
ny inducement TO repeat Its visit.
The sequel Of the story is quickly told. The
ady recognized the SPOT as the vicinity where her
orner lover met his death. She returned to her
lome convinced that his spirit had met her in the
orn Of the swan, and with all the sad memories
the past rushing upon her mind, she shut her
elf up and still refuses TO see even the one to
whom she Is engaged, and who shared with her