Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-07-31

right. This is the aperture at which Katie
usually appears. II is about foot in
greatest width and height. The cabinet is
hung with loose dark curtains, aud door
at one side, leading to back room, is
boarded over in a manner apparently Sc
cure. The audience sit in sem 'circes FAC
ing the'cabinet, the inner circle being com
posed Of the most faithful Spirltualists. On
one ond OF this row sits the principal me-
dium, Mrs. Holmes, her husband some
times taking a chair at the other end,
sometimes entering the cabinet and going
into "mesmeric Sleep When your cor
respondent was present, both mediums re-
mained in full view OF the audience during
the entire performance. They did not 90
into a trance, hut sat tanning themselves,
and laughed and joked like ordinary NOR
tails. One window was closed aud darkeu-
ed and the other remained open. The door
was locked and the room dimly illuminat-
ed by coal-oil lamp, with red shade,
which threw upon the scene that ruseale
tlnge so much affected in the spectacular
drama. The company being seated, with
out joining hands, the spirits we're invoked
through the agency Of small music box !;
and when this did not seem to "fetch 'em,"
the audience sang some familiar melody.
1t did not appear to matter much what the
melody was-sacred or secular, it was all
one to tbem, and they passed from one to
the other with the greatest readiness. The
only requisite seems to be that the melody
should be in a minor key, and tolerably
loud. "The better" said some skeptic, ito
conceal the creaking Of invisible machin-
ery."
After a short overture conducted In this
way Katie appears at tho little window
above mentioned. She usually begins by
thrustng out a white and shapely arm,
speedily followed by pretty face, framed
in mass OF black ringlets, and set Off by a
jauuty Spanish veil, which lies lightly on
her head. There is profound silence until
she says in a Rhostly whisper, "Good eve
ming" The salutation Is cOurteously re-
turned, and then ensues a brisk dialogue
of the smallest kind OF small talk, Inter-
rupted by frequent disappearances aud re-
appearances on the part OF the young lady.
TIE tenor of this important comaunca-
ton from the land of the hereafter is about
as follows:
"Good evening, Katie"
Good evening""
"Are you alone this EVENING""
mo. Father Is here, and Gen. Raw
lings but they can't materializoto u. night"
Katie, Mr.. owen (Rubert Dale Owen Is
here, don't you want to speak TO himf'
"Why, Of course, stoopd-Good evening,
Father Owei.'
Mr.. Owen bows, and says: "Will you
have this bouquet, Katie?"
"Of COURSE l WILL" says Katie, aud reach
es her hand for it. 1t is given her aud she
| disappears with It, but presently returns
aud gives it 10 somebody to hold for her.
katie, can you come out for US to-
night ?"
I'm try, but its very warm and very
hard to malerislize."
Katie accordingly disappears, and the
| singing is resumed. Presently the door oi
the cabin opens slowly. l sat directly OPP
posite the opening, but could see nothing
until it was well aJar then white figure
seemed 10 grow out of the darkness within
and Katie stepped forward gracefully, took
two or three steps into the room, and re-
tired, closing the door ufler her by lifling
| her hand to the latch. She was dressed in
a somewhat theatrical costume of pure
white, which flowed to her feet and seemed
to be OF fine kind of muslin. The sleeves
we're loose and flowing, and as she waved
her hands in the stereotyped style OF the
stage sylph, the sleeves fell away to the
shoulder, displaying pair OF perfect arms
which might well arouse the envy Of any
earthly belle. Her figure was full and
round, aud her face was beautiful in out
line and expression, with a complexion SO
clear and transparent that 1t either seemed
TO, or actually did, shine with a mild ra
dance. In her hand she held fresh bou-
quet, and a dagaer-fau given her at some
former SedHce was stuck in her grdle
while on her neck sparkled silver cross
also present, suspended from what wa'
said to be a necklace of diamonds. She
came and went several times, touching
| with her hand a number Of the audience
among them your correspondent. 1t was
the soft, gentle, magnetic touch ofa woman
but the hand that gave it was cool and dry
Notwithstanding the furnsce-like heat o.
that closed cabinet. She reclaimed her bou
quet kissed young lady who was one o
her dearest followers, and on one occasion
seated herself, with much apparent dfficul
ty, and remained for some moments in full
view of the audience.
But the most wonderful part was still 4
come. "Kstie," said Mrs. Holmes, "ean yoI
| hiaannaar with door a. niUhI y
"pll try" said Katie and presently sh
came again, and while the door stood opeI
she gradually faded away, seeming 10 re
tire slowly into the depths Of space onl.
just large enough to hold her at the first
The bouquets, and all other material sub
stances about her, disappeared at the sam
time, and when nothing was left but tn
hem of her white dress shinmering on III
hoor, she came again, seeming to gathe
herself from the air, and 10 grow like
forming cloud, more aud more distinct
until she again stood in mortal guise be
fore a delighted audience,
Naturally, you will ask for tho solu ito
of the mystery. have none TO give. Their
are, or seems to be, a solid floor beneath,
solid ceiling above, a solid wall on on
side, a solidly-clOsed door on the Other
Skeptics have taken the cabinet 10 pieces
committees, including some of the Facult
of the University Of Pennsylvania, have ia
Vestigated in every way one would thin
that no mortal could disappear, eve
through an acknowledged opening, q
readily as Katie King does, without bein
seen by some Of the audience, gazing &
they do, point blank through the ope
: door both mediums are ignorant people {
low ideas and seemingly of quite TOO it'll