The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
Planchette.

Murder will out" is as sure as fate
and there is nothing so inevitable, un
less it is planchette.
The other day l had conversation
with Mr.. -, well, never mind his
name, but he is real parsonage, and de.
clares that the following incident is OF
actual occurrence
BY the way of prologue, let me men
ton that Mr.. G. (that initial looks as
well as any Other), is firm believer in
mesmerism, and even dabbles little in
that mysterious science ito the ex-
tent OF tipping tables, moving chairs and
other articles of furniture by the "subtle
essence" or the force of will, aided by
perfect faith, as he hath it.
Some years ago, when planchette first
made its bow before the American pub
lie, Mr.. G.. became deeply interested in
its vagaries, and soon became an expert
in its management; he had it entirely
subject to his will, and many were the
startling disclosures made through its
agency. But the "capsheaf" of all was
this:
Mr.. G. announced to his more skepti-
cal acquaintance that he would hold
a seance at his house, when the doubters
might easily be convinced of the error of
their way, or belief.
The hour arrived, and with it those
interested, despite skepticism, in the
workings of the wonderful bit of wood.
Among the guests was family who
may be called, for convenience sake, the
B.'s--fathers, mothers, and married
daughters.
Various Questions were put and an
swered, satisfactorily or otherwise; but
generally otherwise.
Then the BIS were observed in close
conversation little aside from the rest
of the guests. BY the way, this family
were recent arrivals, and of their past
history but little was known, even by
the most curious of the gossippers. They
appeared to be respectable people, and
were greatly liked by their new ac-
quaintances.
Mr.. b. then advanced and said he
would like to test the powers of planch-
cite.
He was told to ask question in his
own mind, and planchette would en-
deavOr to answer it through the medium
of Mr.. and Mrs. G., whose fingers were
pressed upon the wooden heart.
All was silence for few moments.
Every eye was raised upon the instru-
ment. Then it began to move and re-
vealcd huge figure 4.
"Wrong!" shouted Mr.. B., clapping
his hands gleefully; "WrOngl she's
only had threel"
His test question was: How many
husbands had his wife buried? ?"
AS the entire company had been
strangers to him and his until a year
past, he felt assured that planchette
must speak entirely upon its own
This question was the last one pro-
pounded, and the company soon after
dispersed; but it was noticed that the
lively Mrs. b. was strangely subdued,
md that she and her daughter whispered
together very earnestly.
The next day Mr.. B. called upon Mr.
T., and after a little talk, abruptly said
want to buy that planchette thing
If yours, neighbor, or else get you to
promise not to work it any more. You
tn0w thought you made fool of your
elf last night, but instead I find I was
he fool, and have been for thirty years
,ast. What dye think my wife said 10
ne after we got home? You know I
aid your figure was one point too high
hat she'd only had three husbands. |
lidn't know / was lying, until my wife
aid: Father, do believe the very old
10Y himself is in that plaguey thing!
lays Il: What do you meant II guessed
vrong. It said that you had had four
Says she: We'll, father, the
act is, had one that you didn't know
nything about"