The Portland daily press., 1872-03-05

A New York journalist was recently
invited to attend circle of spiritualists,
where sprightly Planchette, under the gen.
tie touch of beautiful miss of Is years, in
vokes the spirits of the other world. The cir
Gle consisted of three ladies and three gen.
tlemen. One of the ladies, who makes great
allowance for the marvellous things which
Planchette writes, was good deal interested
in the startling revelations made by spirit
purporting to be that of her mother. In the
course of the conversation with the spirit,
one of the circle inquired if ''the spirit of
James Fisk, Jr., was there" The reply was,
eyes" The enquiry was then made. "Will
he talk to us?'' Planchette Immediately
wrote, "He is present and will communicate"
The young lady acting as medium and in
Huencing Planchette, then asked, with
whom will Mr.. Fisk converse ?'' At this
question Planchette wheeled rapidly across
the table toward the journalist.
Medium Ito the journalist Colonel
wishes to hold conversation with you, sir.
Journalist-What would you like to talk
about, Colonel?
Spirit of Fisk. Jr.-How is Erie?
journalistic was 33 and 33t when the
Board closed on Saturday. Have you any
opinion to communicate relative to the fu-
ture of Erie-is it going up or down?
Spirit of Fisk, Jr.-Erie will go down to 10.
On Saturday evening, Planchette, influence
ed by the same young lady, was exceedingly
lively with messages from the spirit world"
Colonel Fisk, who, when living, frequently
wished he "was an angel" appeared, spirit
ually, and the following conversation took
place between the supposed spirit of ]. F.,
Jr., and lady who happened to be present.
Lady-COlonel, will you tell me what you
are doing in the spirit land?
Spirit Of Fisk, Jr.-I am working.
Lady-What am to understand by that?
Who are you working for?
Spirit of Fisk, Jr.-I am working for Christ
to atone for my sins. They have been many.
Lady-Colonel, will you tell me if the re-
ports are true that you set man upon
Stokes track to dog him, and, if possible, kill
him?
Spirit of Fisk, Jr.-It is all untrue. I had
no malace against Stokes, and gave him no
cause to shoot me.
Lady-What will be the verdict of the jury
in Stokes case?
Spirit of Fisk, Jr.-If he lives long enough,
the verdict will be guilty
Lady-Will he be hanged?
Spirit of Fisk, Jr.-No.
So much for an evening with Planchette
and the spirit of Fisk, Jr.
FACEILE.-About generation by-gone
there fourished in Western Michigan GER
tain Squire T, whose stalwart sons now
till the parental acres, in whose honesty the
community had great confidence, but who had
an unfortunate failing-drink. He had been
known to try causes when he would have
been more appropriately in bed. Upon one
sim a annual faEan from IND
ment rendered, as it was alleged ''when the
wine was sin the wit was OUT Under the
broad latitude taken at that day, full inquiry
was gone into the trial of the appeal, as to the
question of sobriety of the Justice, and there
was much contradictory testimony-the
friends OF the Justice swearing one way, his
enemies directly contrary. At length very
candid witness appeared, who testified with
great apparent circumspection-so great, in
deed, that ON the direct examination almost
nothing was elected from him. Upon the
the lawyer conducting it
made very common mistake, and being I'M
willing to ''let well enough alone" kept driv-
ing away at the witness until he finally felt
safe in putting the leading and dangerous
question:
''Did you not look upon the Justice, upon
the trial OF that case, as a perfectly sober
man?'
The witness hesitated, and the counsel
pressed the interrogatory still closer. The
witness finally emitted the following, with
great difficulty, as thoguh it had been drawn
from him painfully:
81 should have thought so only for one
thing''
'Well," said the cross-examiner," what is
that?'
'Tsaw him fill up bis ink-stand with whis-
ky, and take snifter out of the ink-bottle"
The cross-examination stopped at that
point.