The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-08-30
Z Shooting al a Ghost.

4 medium at st. Louis, according to
tho DcmOclnt OF that city, lately sub.
mitted to the test Of being shot Mt by an
expert riilemau. The medium was
bound hand and foot III the box cabinet.
The story is rs follows:
At distance Of fifteen feet from the
cabinet, and directly iu front Of the
black curtains, has been placed II stand,
where, by means of wise, small
brecch-londing rifle is fastened, after II
load is placed in it, and loveled so that
the ball will inevitably pierce the cur
tain's center, Mr.. A. b. Cunningham,
who has been requested by Mr.. Tim
kens to fire the rifle, takes seat direct
ly behind the stand. Mr.. Cunningham
il n crack shot, with steady nerve. The
rifle carries only small ball, but is
loaded so as to send it easily through m
inch plank. In order to prevent the
ball lodging III the wuIl, n heavy plank is
placed on tho other silo of the cabirct
and directly in the way of the shot. The
ball would not perhaps kill, hut it would
mar the bealltyiof any countonnncc that
received it.
1t is five minutes after nine o'clock
when these prcliminarics arc finished,
and tho scance really begins. The lights
oftllc min chandelier arc turned down,
although Mr.. Timkens kcepsa coal oil
lamp burning near him, which sheds IL
dim glre on the cabinet and the black
curtain, on which all eyes are fixed. In
tho gloom voices are hushcd to u whis.
per, and tile noises on the street be-
come painfully audible. As the whis-
pers die away the ssilencc becomes op-
prcssivc.
"Sing something, it will help me, ,"
says voice from the cabinet.
Some one in tho crowd strikes up the
Shall wo gather at the river?
. Then comes knocking from tho cabi-
net, the knocks Gathering apparently
against all the sides. The first is loud
and authoritative, but the others bc.
come gradually more mild and gentle.
recalling to tho mind "The Raven -
- Only this, and nothing moro.
Finding that the knocking ceased en-
tircly, and that the silence is disagree
able to tho spirits, rs well us to the COM
pauy present, Mr.. Jacket strikes up
. The Star Spangled Banner" There's
no response, and MI apprehension is felt
TINT the patriotic air las lost its power
upon tho discmbodicd. "Auld Lang
Syne," MS recalling scenes Of the past, is
next tried, but with similar want Of effect
on, the forgctful spirits. The silence
continues even when some ono in tho
hall sings something about
Il lam chief III tho forest 80 wild,
followed by the cold Camp Ground"
The repertoire of the American por.
ton Of tliepudicncc being exhausted, n
German gentleman siugs IN opcratic
solo, his fine sonOrous bass voice filling
the room, aud dclighting all present. As
it comes 10 a close, quick, wild, pain
ful cry is heard from the cabinet, andall
is still again.
The spirits appear obstinate md mo
rose; Thrcoquartcrs Of an hour pass
away without anything moro than II
spasmodic knock. When about allhopo
is given up, the curtain is suddenly
drawn aside, and Il face appears ut the
window-thc face Of n girl with blue
eyes and brown hair, Just budding into
wouRnhool. The face is distinctly seen
by NIL present.
"Fre !" said the voice in the cabinet.
The rifle is fired on the instant.
The fnce remains at the window per-
haps minute longer, when it is con-
cealetl by the curtain, which is mysteri-
Ously drawn to again.
The rest may Sibe told in a very few
words. lii fifteen minutes the medium
is released, excited and exhausted with
his labors. An examination Of the cab
met shows that the ball passed through
tho seat opposite to the window, and it
is found in the plank hung down beyond.
Tho ropes larc found ms tense as when
they were first tied, and on the door
being opened, tho medium is found So.
curely bound. He nscribcs tho long
lapse of time before tho appearance OF
the spirit to the fact that an Indian
spirit obtrudcd itself on him with war
whoop instead of his mother, for whom
he had asked when first placed in the
cabinet. The spirit that appeared, he
says, was his cousin. i1fr. -...f