The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-09-03
The DomInie,s Spiritual Visitor.

Inc LOnuon Dpectdtor, In an article
entitled "The Deteriorated Breed of
Ghosts" discusses at considerable length
the latest phases of spiritual manifesto
tions as compared with the "grand style"
of the old-time ghosts of the ante
spiritualistic epoch. As a specimen of
this "grand style of ghostly visitation
it reprOduces an episode narrated by the
Rev. Boucher Saville, M. A., in work
which bore the dubious title of "Appa-
ritions; Narrative of Fact" No
earlier than the beginning of the present
century, says the Spectator, according to
Mr.. Saville's book, the Rev. John Jones,
of Holiwell, Flintshire, who did not die
till 1858, just before the outbreak of
spirit-rapping, was saved, as he believed,
from death by spiritual visitor who de-
meaned himself altogether in the "grand
STYLE" Mr.. Jones was riding from Bala
to Machynlleth on missionary business,
and this was his own account OF his
story:
When had performed about half my
journey, as l was emerging from wood
situated at the commencement of long,
steep decline, observed coming towards
me a man on foot. BY his appearance,
judging from the sickle which he carried
shcathed in straw over his shoulder, he
was doubtless reaper in search of en-
ploymcnt. AS he drew near, l recognized
man whom / had seen at the door of
the village inn of Llanwhellyn, where I
had stopped to bait my horse. On our
meeting he touched his cap, and asked if
l could tell him the time of day. l
IaI ntf tnI f.Nr thn
noticing at the same time the peculiar
look which the man cast at its heavy sill
yer case. Nothing else, however, oc-
CURED to excite any suspicion on my
part, so,wishing him "good afternoon"
l continued my journey.
When l had ridden about halfway
down the hill l noticed something
moving, and in the same direction as my
self, on the other side of the large hedge,
which ran nearly parallel with the road,
and ultimately terminated at gate
through which had to pass. At first |
thought it an animal of some kind or
other, but soon discovered by certain
depressions in the hedge that it was a
man running in STOPPING position. l
continued for q short time to watch his
progress with some curiosity, but my
curiosity changed to fear when l recog-
nized the reaper with whom had con-
versed a few minutes before, engaged in
tearing off the straw band which sheathed
his sickle. He hurried on until he
reached the gate, and then concealed
himself behind the hedge, within a few
yards of the road.
did not then doubt for moment
but that he had resolved to attack-per-
haps murder-me for tho sake of my
watch, and whatever money might have
about me. l looked around in all di-
rections, but not single human being
was to be seen, so refining in my horse, /
asked myself in much alarm what /
could do. Should / turn back? No
my business was of the utmost importance
to the cause for which was journeying,
and as long as there existed the faintest
possibility of getting there / could not
think of returning. Should / trust to
the speed of my horse, and endeavor to
dash by the man at full speed? No; for
the gate through which had to pass was
not open. Could l leave the road and
make my way through the fields? l
could not: for | was hemmed in by rocky
banks or high hedges on both sides
The idea of risking personal en-
counter could not be entertained for a
mement, for what chance could weak
and unarmed-have against a powerful
man with dangerous weapon in his
hand? What course then should pur-
sue? I could not tell and at length, in
despair rather than in spirit of humble
trust and confidence, | bowed my head
and offered up silent prayer. This had
soothing effect upon my mind, so that,
refreshed and invigorated, l proceeded
anew to consider the difficulties of my
position.
At this juncture my horse, growing
impatient at the delay, started off; /
clutched the rcins, which l had let fall
on his neck, for the purpose of checking
him, when, happening to turn my eyes,
| saw to my utter establishment that
was no longer alone. There by my side
| beheld horseman in a dark dress,
mounted OH white steed. In intense
amazement l gazed upon him; where
could he have come from? He appeared
as suddenly as if he had sprung from the
earth. He must have been riding be-
hind and have overtaken me. And yet
had not heard the slightest sound; it
was mysterious, inexplicable. But the
joy of being released from my inexplic-
able position soon overcame my feelin gs
of wonder, and l began at once to adj
dress my companion. asked him if he
had seen any one, and then described to
him what had taken place, and how re-
lieved / felt by his sudden appearance,
which now removed all cause of fear.
He made no reply, and on looking at his
face he seemed paying but slight atten-
ton to my words, but continued intently
gazing in the direction of the gate, now
about quarter of mile ahead.
l followed his gaze and saw the reaper
emerge from his concealment and cut
across field to our left, resheathing his
sickle as he hurried along. He had
evidently seen that l was no longer
alone, and had relinquished his intended
attempt. All cause for alarm being gone
/ once more sought to enter into con-
versation with my deliverer, but again
without the slightest success. Not a
word did he deign to give me in reply.
1 continued talking, however, as we rode
on our way towards the gate, though /
confess feeling both surprised and hurt
at my companions mysterious silence.
Once, however, and only once did hear
his voice.
Having watched the figure of the
reaper disappear over the brow of a
neig hboring hill, I turned to my COM
panion and said, "Can it for moment be
doubted that my prayer was heard, and
that you were sent for my deliverancc by
the Lord?" Then it was that thought
/ heard the horseman speak, and that he
uttered the single word "amen." Not
another word did he give utterancc to,
though 1 tried to elicit from him replies
to my questions, both in English and
Welsh. We were now approaching the
gate, which l fastened to open, and hav-
ing done so with my stick / waited at the
side of the road for him to pass through,
but he came not. / turned my head to
look-the mysterious horseman wasgone
| was dumbfounded | looked back in