New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-09-18
From the st. Louis Republican,
JUST IN TIME.
BY MRS. ELLEN NJ. MITCHELL.

only two other persons there. man and a
woman, who were walking back and forth
conversing together in low voices. As
passed them heard her say:
do you want to drive me crazy! tell
you can't forget him, and it's no Use talk
ing to me about my duty. And don't be-
lieve word that wicked woman says. He
isn't married again, he isn't dead; he's alive
and true to me. I'm sure of it."
The words were low, but intense and
passionate, and stopped involuntarily.
"Don't get excited and unreasonable. my
dear woman. Look at the facts Of the case.
You haven't heard from your husband IN
nearly two years; he LETT you with scarcely
weeks provisions on hand, and ten dol
lars in money: if it hadn't been for me you
and your child would have starved-yes.
actually starved Yet you talk as If 1t was
your duty to remain faithful to the memory
of such man, and that, too. III spite OF the
proof YOU have received, by direct reeela-
ton from heaven, that he not only deserted erie! !
YOU but married another woman and lived
with her as his wife for three months before
he died"
| can't tell why it was. but there was
something in the smooth insinuating voice
of the speaker that sounded to me like the
hiss of % serpent, and inspired me with a
feeling of adherence that | couldn't over
come. But felt that | was doing wrong III
listening to this conversation, and SO
turned away, somewhat reluctantly. for my
sympathy and curiosity were both excited.
The next morning scanned the faces of
the passengers eagerly, for l wanted to
know how the man looked whose voice had
impressed me so strangely. 1t had been SO
dark the night before that couldn't see his
features distinctly.
After a brief search found him seated
at the breakfast table. Il long-haired, iank-
visaged man, with thin lips and light blue
eyes that looked hard and cruel. but with u
general air of sanctimoniousness pcrvading
his whole aspect. l might have been
but his face didn't impress me
any more favOrably than his voice had
done.
A little pale-faced woman sat or his right
hand, whom | recognized at once as his
companion the night before. She held IN
her lap a child two or three years old. and
was rather pretty than otherwise. although
her ewes were red as if from continued
weeping.
But the face that chiefly attracted my at
tention was that of the woman on his left
hand. Her complexion, il its uncarthly
pallor. rescmblcd that OF Il corpse. her lips
were livid. and her eyes. deep sunhen. and
with dark circles around them, We're dull
and expressionless. 1t was a face that. at
the same time, repulsed and fascinated you:
She. too. as well as the other woman, seemed
tn no under thc control of the man whom |
have described.
noticed q oreat many curious chances
directed toward these persons DURING break
fast Afterward. learned who they were
from the talk of the passengers, among
whom various r,mors were atioat concern
ing them, but the only information upon
which relied was piyen me by the captain.
The man. it appeared. was a celebrated
sn;ritual;st with a wonderful Gift of healing
IN his hands. who subscribed himself $. $.
Johnson. NJ. d. The woman with the corpse
like face was a clairyovanf who ALWAYS
travelled with him. and went into frances
for his hcnefit as often "a he desired The
two together were said to be very success
fuI ne Lealino mediums.
II don't know what TO think of it." said
the captain. There is something remark
able about this cIairyoyance. / am con
WINGED that johnson is an impostor. but as
m The womau-whv. I'd fake my oath that
she isn't conscious of what she saws and
does in those frances. Johnson has curl,
ous kind of power over her, and believe
his will actually forces her into a semi
conatoSe state. and puts the words in her
mouth that she is to s:fy''
t,,rn that accompanies thcm!" [ incurred
as she clairvoyant. too ;"
ooh. no. but her husband left her nearly
two wears aro. and this johnson has be
frienled hey for reasons OF his own. I've nc
doubt. There's a mystery about it. some
how. Twas well ACQUAINTED with her hus
band. He was a steady. Woodworking man
but times were poor, and he thought he
could better his fortunes by a trip to the
mountains. So he went. leaving his wife
and child scantily provided for. but it wa,
the best he could do He hoped that before
their money and provisions were exhausted
he ' woniI be alb; able to to send them more. hi,
Or. johnson was his principal advisor in
the step he took, and promised to see that
his family did not come to want From
that dav to this. however. 10 direct comnlu
mic alton has ever been received from 10,
Morrison. II is known that he arrived al
s.. Louis safely. that he embarked there fol
fine mountains and that is all. His wife is
a weak. belpless. little creature. strong only
in devotion to her husband. and would have
SINK under this blow if it had not been tol
the child"
The captain stopped as if he had finished
his story. but I turned to him eagerly fol
the the cor conversation of the night before re-
Cured to NV memory.
Isn't there some rumor about Morrison's
being dead or married again And What
about this johnson! Has he kept the
promise he made her husband!'
The captain didn't seem inclined at frs,
TO saw ANYTHING more, but was finally per
srladed to tell Inc the rest of the story, to
gcther with his own suspicious as to the re
lations at present existing between johnson
and Mrs. Morrison.
~ can't DENY" he said, "that johnson
wouldn't trust. and believe he has done il
for purposes of his own. As to what
those purposes are, | have INV sus
melons. After Morrison had been zone
over a wear. Johnson advised her t.
consult sarah White, his clairvovan,
friend Lucy. that is, Mrs. Morrison
,l;o1dni 70 tio ,rnnnco1 ,oad;Ir- nc a rnIia