The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-23
A Dark seance.

G&a A Dark seance. 8&a
Yes, it was dark-and in more ways
than one--about as dark as it generally
gets in Richmond in the month of Decem-
Der. Not being 'fraid, however-it isn't
part of our composition-we boldly left
Broad by turning into cross street, after
having secured ticket at store on the
corner, and, in company with our friend,
Captain De Doubleyoube, and several 9TH
ers desirous of Investigating the occult, we
felt our way to the side entrance of dis
mal-looking old brick house, and immedi-
ately commenced ascending a narrow
stairway, dimly lighted. AT the first land
ing we were ali interviewed by small boy,
backed by q chum of the same sex and
dimensions, the protocol being that we
could proceed provided we indemnlfed
with our dlngy-looking bits of pasteboard
twenty-five cents each. Having passed
the outpost we wended our way along q
narrow passage-one at time-until we
reached another stairway, up which we
ambled as gracefully as the darkness would
permit; then entered another contracted
apology for hall, at the far end of which
we saw glimmering light. We struck a
bee-lne for it-one at a time. Having
gained the goal of our ambition-atwinkle,
twinkle, little STARTS effulgent rays re-
vealed to US the entrance to the abode Of
the spirits--i. o. an unfinished room with
CRATE in which was burning stick or
two Of wood, the mantel over it bravely
sustaining upon its dusky bosom solita-
ry kerosene lamp. To the left, as we en-
tered, we saw about fifteen people of both
sexes, all sitting silently in chairs facing a
closet door to our right. We kindly
pulled off our hats and hunted for a seat
on the bare floor. After rolling our eyes
around the unhung walls Of this vast
Q2x15) spiritual rendezvous, and finding
convenient place to deposit our surplus
tobacco juice, we ventured a remark or
two in an audible whisper; butt scarcely
had its cadence died away in sweet harmo-
ny with ''sh-h-sh". from the. solemn
looking circle aforesaid, when small,
wiry.looking old gentleman stepped up to
us, with a hatchet in one hand and rope
and an iron ring in the other, and inn
pressively communicated the fact that
spirits were very timid nation, and that
an excess of linguistical indulgence upon
the part Of us mortals would counteract
the influence" We meekly obeyed,
stroking our whiskers in the meantime
keeping an eye--in fact both of them
open for the next act in the play. After
bit our crowd was considerable augmented,
androughs hseats improvised for our accommo-
datlon, accompanied by the remark from
our mentor of the hatchet, rope and ring
that "the presence Of SO many Of the
friends weren't anticipated We smiled
our thanks for his condescension, and
ventured to hope his shadow (as exhib-
tied by the ftful glare of that Kerosene
lamp might never grow less.
Just as we were making up our mind to
look at somebody's watch to learn the
time, the Professor" the boss of the
/" seeyonce," tripped lightly into the room,
and was introduced to his auditors by him
of the Ratchet, rope and ring in 81 few
happy and well-timed remarks.' No
cheers. However, the Professor" took
chair and seated himself by the closet
door, directing our friendly lamp to be
turned very low and put on the floor be-
hind the entrance door that our hatchet,
friend would open the door and allow some
gentleman of the audience to examine the
interior; that he would then borrow
shawl from some lady in the audience, and
nail it up for curtain; that he would then
seat himself near the kerosene and act as
lampoonee, for the. evenings Everything
being arranged, and a fiddle placed in the
closet, the !" Professor closed his eyes,
opened his mouth and prayed prayer, the
jargon of which was about as Ineligible
as the amiable conversation of two hostile
thomas catsr. Having concluded, the ''Pro-
fessor" arose from his chair and requested
the audience to be 'sseeted" and remain
''calm-m entered the sanctum- -sancto-
rum, called for the rope and mortal from
the audience to tie him. A strapping,
brave-looking gent strobe in, and, after
considerable grunting and sundry remarks,
backed out, announcing to US that "if he
amt tied there never was man ted
Encouraged by the noise our representative
was making, we concluded to make re.
mark ourselves, when we were cut short
by the lampooneer with. the impressive de-
claration that the "infuence'' would be
destroyedif we didn't subside, which we
did without murmur. At this point the
Professor" sung out for some one to
place the iron ring-we have mentioned il
0efore-in his mouth. Our MASSIVE friend
accommodated him. The stProfessorr in
few moments hurriedly suggested to the
lampooneer to raise the light. Upon exami-
nation it was found that the ring was now
on the Professors 81 arm. 'sDown with the
light! "-pause-ssup with the light and
the ring rolled out on the floor. I'VE are
of the opinion that the "Professor'' has
been in Tammany. Hall, from the way in
which he aconfed that ,rine, oro,,nd W.