Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-06-15


I'll take you under my wing dcring your
stay.n 6aas8
"What business are you pursuing, VIM
cent?" asked. i ss
al blush to confess" he replied, "that
am absolutely ngaged in nothing. That
is, suppose you would consider it almost
nothing. Pm deeply interested in the SUBJ
iect of Spiritualism. Wonderful things will
yet be developed by its medium"
"Oh! Beeman," rejoined, s'you surely
can't be wasting yonr bright talents on such
delusion." d--..
oIndeed am" he replied. "You may
sheer at it, it's fashionable to do so, but
vet l tell you have witnessed things that
a few years ago 1 would have thought a
man mad in believing. Ycu must come
and see me (here he gave me bis card),
wish to chow you woman over the way
who will astonish you. She is at once a
wonder, a mystery and marvel to the IN
initiated. AS medium she ranks as high
as the best, but you shall see her, and judge
fer yourself Will you come and see me
this afternoon.
"No, Vincent, shall not DO able, but /
will be with you tomorrow At this hour.
VIII it suit?
"Perfectly. | will expect yon."
"Are you marr;ed?" inquired, sud-
denly recollecting had forgotten TO ask
the question.
"No," he replied, "ani you?"
s'Single STILL"
"But am engaged" he continued, sand
expect to be married in the fall"
"Ah! l shall see your lady love, them"
tolx will nOf ho chi IN do
30, Just yet, but you may in the course of
the summer if you remain here. The fact
is, she has been with her father and mother
in England, and ought to be by this time
in Bermuda.
GMr. Ray CHATS the rame of the gentle
many il an Euglisman, who for many years
resided in the West Indies, but be drifted
to New York. Every one some time in
life gets here, even you, Charley.
"Well, he has one daughter, Ethel is her
name. Do you like 2"
aYes."
II am glad of it, Charley; 1 always
thught you had good taste in our college
days. Let me see, what was saying
Oh, yes, Ethel Ray is an only daughter, but
she is not the worse for that. Only daugh-
! ters of rich men, they say, don't make the
best of wives But Ethel will. You see
| she is an exception to the rule-she is a
sensible girl, sGd not carried away by idle
vanities."
"That's the reason she accepted you, l
suppose?"
"Perhaps it u.s." he laughed. swell, it
viii not be long ere they are here again.
They have been absent for six months, but
| Ethel has written me by every steamer.
| Thax1 laff Eno,lanA in cailinn JQaenl for
Bermuda a month ago, and from Their e
they will come directly to New York.
I'll show you her picture tomorrow, Char
ley"
"Happy and lucky Vincent Beemsn,"
calculated, as / saw him jump into a stage
and disappear up Broadway.
The following day | was punctually st
hir boarding house. Upon inquiring if he
was home, the servant hesitated and looked
perplexed, and finally said he was up stairs,
but in great trouble, having received news
of the loss Of some very dear friends.
"The more reason 1 should see him."
replied: stake up my card"
The man disappeared, but presently re-
turned, telling me to follow hia.
l found Beeman walking the floor and
wringing bis hands, while his eyes were red
and swollen. On iuqujrng the cause of
his grief, he thrust the newspaper into my
hands, containing the account of the loss of
the vessel on which Mr.. Ray and family
had embarked, and the escape of ouly one
seaman, who had arrived and proclaimed
the bad tidings.
tried to comfort Beeman, but 1 per-
ceived my efforts were fruitless. / really
pitied him, for his sorrow was very keen.
ftar r-l,ila Iaff hfv,, 70 call
the next day. When | did so, found him
more calm.
perhaps the report is incorrect" l sug-
gested. He shook his head mournfally.
mo, no." he answered, 81 went TO the
news office, traced out the sailor and heard
his story. 1t was fearful gale; there was
not a soul saved but this poor fellow. He
was whole day clinging to a spar before
he was picked up. Poor, poor Ethel," and
he began to weep.
'Chsrley," he continued, 81 wish you to
60 ever the way with me, 1 must have a
Communication from her loved"
"Absurd, Beeman," l replied; Ndon't
think of such thing. This is what makes
madmen."
"Come with ms" he replied steUlly, catch
ing me by the arm.
~ bSoet ROAhoPS, W
so l consented. Stepping over the street We
halted before brick structure, on the door
of which was plate bearing the name Of
MADAME Van Wunder, Clsirvoysnt."
The madam was portly, snowy woman,
with pleasing address and sympathiziDg
manner. l saw at a glance she was a
shrewd erson, who understood her bust
ness, and her dupes as we'll. She had sew
aral MFG in ha.r NH
almost sharp as their mistress, and from
their reports she no doubt heard Beeman's
trouble long ere he was aware OF it.
This is friend of mine," said Vincent.
The madam made avery French obeisance
which quite charmed me. "You are in
trouble, my friend, ''said Madam Van Wun-
der, cycling Beeman closely.
"Yes, yes" be replied, waving his hand;
''let US proceed, madam"
The madam looked at Beenan and then
gave glance at me.
81 have no objection to his renal ning,'
he said.
"Very we'll" she replied.
Seating herself at small table, Beeman
| took piece of paper, and tearing it into
small slips, wrote upon each, and then roll
ling them into pellets, placed them togeth-
| C4 CCAOlC blA1s
"Commeuce," said the madam, as she
inclined her head sideways, as we have seen
chicken d. after taking swallow Of wa
| ter.
One after another Beeman drew out the
| pellets; still there was no , response. At
length he unrolled one, and Immediately
trere came succession of faint raps, the
madam sitting bolt upright in her chair,
with her hands crossed before her and her
| eyes half closed.
"a spirit wishes TO communicate" she
| said in low tone.
Beeman's face was very pale, and his
nervous excitement great.
"Whst is the name?" asked Bee man.
"Ethel," replied the madam.
l could have almost dragged Beema
away from the spot, his grief was so in.
tense. Presen' ly he recovered himself
"Where did she de?" he gas ped.
DAT sea-" replied the NADIA n.
SHOW many were saved?" inquired Bee
man.
"All lost but one man." was the reply.
Beeman caught me by the arm and gazet
into my face. "What 90 you think now /?
he asked in husky voice; "do you be
lieve i;?''
"No," replied, III DON'T"
I'll 49,, nl,r