The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-10-07
THE SEQUEL 10 sPIRITUAL1sM.
THE DISSERTATION OF TEE FAMILY
ALTAR

ALTAR.
MRS. BAKRR's ELoPEMENTA CASE IN POINT
AN OLD HUSBAND BAsILY DISCARDED AND
NEW oNETAKeS-ANDP PLENTY OF READY
CASH To MAKE LIFE, EVEN IN PHILADEL-
PHIA, HAPPY.
The subjoined story, with moral, is from
the New York Sun: A hospitable, tasteful
and widely-known home In West Forty
fourth street is suffering the severity Of So
cial earthquake, In the flight of its mistress,
a mother and vile, Mrs. Mary Baker, with
three cart loads of furniture, pictures and
hooks. She Is over so, aud her lover Is over
90 years of age. The step was
well premeditated, and bad BEEN q
subject OF extended consultation with
her many friends. Mr.. 8. p.
Case, a wealthy railroad capitalist, is Mrs..
Bakers choice. "Wsre he poor mar"
said Mrs. Baker, al know this hard world
too we'll to take such step. But his ability
is equal 10 his earnest and daily wish to make
me happy. His wealth win be my shield,
mia noble breast will be my lifelong rest
and my life-lopge6-ior repOse." Alfred Ba-
ksr. formerly and tor 10 years d fire marshal
of New York City, looked upou his barren
parlors. and then went out and engaged p
housekeeper-Mrs. Barlow-at so much q
month. It is even said that
SHE WAS AN OLD FLAME;
at least the hot haste OF husbands veE-
eeance In bringing in the housekeeper be-
fore the wife had taken leave, confirmed her
half-formed determination, and precipitated
its fuldlment. Mary Baker, a woman OF
charming personal presence, loving heart,
and hand that was always open to the
poor, had for twenty-nine years been the
light of his house and borne his name. 1t
was love match al the start, and the union
was twice fruitful. The SOD, a young lawyer,
Alfred Baker, Jr, lives under the parental
roof; the daughter, Jennie, was early mar
ried TO Col. Harry Rocksiellar of the Sew
enty-frst New York Regiment. About
eight years ago Mr.. and Mrs. Bakers
home received new life in the awak-
enlng of its N aster and mistress to an in
terest in spiritualism, and tho house became
favorite social center tor whoever,
especially the more comfortable classes, be-
lieved or were iuquiring about the new con-
versation of the living with the dead.
Nearly every medium OF note has been their
guests. On Monday evening Mrs. Baker
had special select seances so large that her
visitors filled room extending across tho
house, back of the parlors; devoted to this
use only, and furnished befittingly. The
furniture was from the lady's own, not very
deep but ever open purse, and the treasured
ornaments were those that
ANGELS WE'RE SUPPOSED I'd HAVE sUG-
GEsTED.
There was piano to lead the choral songs
that are necessary to tranquilZs a seances.
and unity its individuals until they are like
a row OF Leyden jars in a magnetic bat
terry; there was an easel on which stood a
picture Of Raphael, painted by himself, in a
charmed closet, Mr.. Baker having the key
In her pocket. The door OF the famous
closet was open or closed only at the bid
ding OF an unseen ministry. When Mar
gsret Fox Kane came to this CITY, an epoch
came In the history of these circles and of
the family. Alfred Baker, the son OF an
English artist, himself artistic, handsome,
and refined enough to have been sdored by
Mary Baker, and to have loved her
with a jealous fondness, whether he
had been or WAS now believ-
ing spiritualist, gave now the greatest at
tention to the splrltuslistic investigation
Margaret Fox was historically an object of
interest. 1t was supposed that she had fired
the heart of the distinguished Arctic ex-
plorer, and was timidly welded in secret by
the man who had braved the Polar SHOWS.
Margaret Fox made an impression; and
now began the mutterings of the earth
quake. Up to this time it is said the married
life OF the Bakers was happy life. Maggie
had bone for year or two in the brown
stone mansion, and was the paid high
priestess of the extension room sanctuary.
The phases of her mediumship were as
various as the demand. She could rap,
ically, materialiZe figures, play musical in
struments, produce lights and paint pictures
or have the painting done by spirit force
alone, In all these the fire marshal par
ticipated with zsst. AT last
THE SACRED CLOSET DOOR
was to be unfastsnded at Christmas, and
each member of the circle was to invite two
guests: their names subject to the decision
of the Priestess Margaret Fox. They were
also all to present themselves in full dress,
which materialized object or objects would
be found on the christening of the long
locked door. The priestess tabooed nearly
all the names proposed, the circle began to
demur at the long delay, there was wrath
the door was summarily opened, and they
About year and a hall
sgo the angel of the threshold stepped across,
in the shape of the tall, handsome, manly
man WHO came, saw. and conquer d. En-
trsDging causes accumulated and intensi-
fed, and after many bitter words five
weeks ago Mrs. Baker went, but only to
1hirty-third street, to domicile in another
bTown-stone house. during the completion
OF divorce papers. In the hurry, and glow,
and fret, and furry, each side of that twen-
ty nine years household has told its long
covered secrets-Mrs. Baker disownlDg Mr.
Baker for husband, aud the two separated.
subsequently the wife, having been per-
suadeu by her children, returned to the
familiar door, but IL was slammed in her
face. She was told by her many friends,
"tbey that be for you are more than they
that ba against you," and "why wait sixteen
months Tor Mrs. Grundy," for waiting was
proposed. Mr.. Case wiped away Msry's
tears, showed her the new divorce papers,
and married her day before yesterday in
Jersey City on the way to their new home
in his own house in Philadelphia.
DIAMOND WITH A History