The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-03-07
BUDGET OF FUN.
Getting Rid of the Spirits.


When spiritualsm first made its appear
ance in the village Of, old Deacon
Isaacs, a wealthy man, who had stood by the
church for nearly three score years was
exceedingly bitter against all believers III inc
devils work" as he called it, and denounced
spiritualists and spiritualism In no very
gentle language. Imagine the deacon anger,
then, when six months afterwards he found
it had worked its way into his own family,
and not only were his wife ana daughters
believers. but one of them was medium, and
possessed full power to converse win me
spirits of those who had departed to that
bourne from which no traveller returns.
Deacon Isaacs was mad-dreadfIlly mad
but he had wit enough not TO show it, and he
bore the taunts of the ungodly with meek
shirt He knew it would be useless to-
declare open war, for Mrs. Isaacs alone had
ALWAYS proved more than match for him,
and he was sure to be defeated. He must
crcumvent the Critter as he expressed it, and
to that end he set himself to work. He was
man of sound judgment and his worldly
experience of fifty years was not thrown away.
From the day it first came to.his knowledge
that his wife and daughters were Spiritualists
he never spoke word against it nor did he
ever allude to it, except in general terms in
his morning prayers but anyone could see II
troubled him. for he was absentminded, his
eyes wandered restlessly, ana his countenance
looked careworn.
The deacon witnessed one or two sittings at
his house, and was satisfied that if he pos
sessed little more knowledge he could get
rid of the annoyance. SO one morning he
started for the city, determined to thoroughly
investigate the subject before he returned.
After visiting two OF the most popular mcdi-
ums and paying his money, he returned home
satisfied that he could see throughit
There was sitting at the deacons house
on the night he returned, and his daughter
Mary-thc northumberland the deacon to
take seat at the table, which to her gratitica-
ton was accepted.
The spirits were in good tune and so eX.
ceedingly communicative thattLe deacon was
induced to ask a few questions, which were
readily answered; and his wife and daughters
were in cCstacies at the thought that the
father would yet be a believer, and urged the
deacon on in his inquiries.
HAS my wife always been true TO her mar
riage VOWS" asked the deacon.
To this question there was no rap in return,
while Mrs. Isaacs sat transfiXed with holy
horror that such Il thought should enter her
husbands mind.
"How many yours have passed since she
was untrue?"
Answered by single raps Then came
slowly and solemny, one, two three, four, and
SO on until they reached twenty
How many who claim 10 be are my chill
dren?"
Again the spirit rapped-one, two.
Mrs Isaacs looked dumfounded
Mercy" said Mary
Which are they" asked the deacon, who
now seemed 50 intent on his subject that he
paid no attention to his companions.
"Mary-Sarah," raped sthe spirits; the
names of the two daughter, the elder Of whom
was under twenty.
Mrs Isaacs could stand it no longer
"Its lie | did MT! It's lie"' she
shrieked, rising from the table, they are your
children, Deacon Isaacs, and God knows it,"
But the spirits affirm differently" said the
deacon, in a solemn voice.
Then they lie" said his wife.
But if you believe in them in everything
else, why not in this"
but | don't believe in them at all, it is all
toolery"
"N0r Im shouted Mary.
"Nor l." added Sarah
Then" said tie deacon, while smile
Illuminated his countenancc, 1--WE will bid
them goodbye, and leave those things which
God has wisely hidden from US to be revealed
in His time"
Mrs. Isaacs was so glad that none Of the
neighbOrs were present; but somehow the
story got wind, and SO fearful were the danes
Of N that they might be caught in some
trap which the deacon had set, that spiritual
Ism was driven entirely from the village.