The anti-monopolist., 1875-01-14
A PHANTOM FEAST.

Monthly.
A PHANTOM FEAST.
The GhOstly Doings and Invisible
Guests Of a New York Tablo-A
Strange Mystery.
Apropos cf the stories Of haunted
houses and ghostly doings to which the
prevailing Spiritualistic mania has Civ
en- rise, correspondent sends the fol-
lowing to the New York World, vouch-
ing for its truth:
There is a gentleman who visits our
city once every three years. who cx-
cites great deal Of interest on account
Of some peculiar circumstances which
always attend him. His personal ap-
pearance is striking rather tall, with
head firmly set on broad shoulders, iron
gray hair, brushed off from a full.
white forehead, we'll cut features, and
eyes dark, with . strange inward ex-
preston. He takes rooms at one Of
our frst-class hotels, and remains there
three days.
The first is spent in giving directions
for banquet to be served in his private
apartments, and he is particular to the
minutest detail. The second day he
superintends everything, and his face
wears al anxious look. At about 4
clock he retires to his dressing room,
after giving last injunction to the
servants to be in attendance at the ap
pointed time.
The hour approaches; the table is
resplendent with silver, crystal and
flowers; the servants stand expectantly
waiting, yet no guests have arrived.
At length the doors of the inner room
open and the strangs gentleman enters.
his face flushed and head bent, as If
listening to some remark addressed to
him. With polite gesture he indicates
seats to numerous invisible guests, and
at last seats himself at the head Of the
table. With q motion to the aston
ished servants he signifies his wish to
have the covers removed and the differ
ent courses served.
All is profound silence, and yet the
host appears to be engaged in earnest
conversation, frequently bowling and
smiling toward different parts Of the
table. At length the wine is poured,
every glass is l.lled; and IS this is done
| the host rises, holding his glass high
| over his head. Instantly every chair
is filled with lovely women and courtly
men, sparkling eyes look love to eyes
that speak again, and rosy lips seem
ready to part with ripping laughter.
Soon the ladies disappear through the
Goor-foat, as it were, out Of sieh.-
and the gentlemen remain. Converse
ton seems to be renewed, when sudden.
ly the gaze Of all is riveted upon two
1oung men who appear to be very
angry. They both rise cxcitedly, one
draws dagger, splifts his arm, and
with quick, descending motion buries il
in the bosom Of beautiful girl who has
rushed in and thrown herself in front
of the intended victim. Jewels CLEAN
on her polished throat and amid the
shining gold Of her hair, While her life
blood, like . crimson thread, slowly
trickles over the snowy whiteness Of heI
dress.
Every face is filled with look Of
horror, and with = cry Of agony tn d
host falls back in his chair insensible
and as he falls the guests fade away
and vanish into air
| Nearly all Of the servants have long
since fled with fright, but few, allow
ing their curiosity to overcome their
fear, have remained to the end. They
now summon assistance, and the strange
gentleman is carried to his bed. For 4
long time all means Of fresuscitating him
fail, but 1t length. with . deep sigh hs
opens his eyes and moans, 70, is it al
overt" Then he falls into deep slum
Der. and 30 remains until the afternoon
Of the third day, when he makes his ap
pearance At the Office, calm ard collect
. ed, calls for his bill, pays it without tha
! least demur. orders : carriage, and
. there We lose sight Of him until thres
: years roll over our heads, when We fee
sure that he will visit us again.
Many Stranger things happen thar
: ever appear in print, and this probably
! would have been one Of them had nol
the public become excited over tn,
: Eddy mysteries and fairly reused ou'
/ scientific men to investigate that indie
: Unable something that steals up stair
) altar US everyday people, and lays it
cold hand upon rs in our sleep.
!, The circumstances here related cal
Z hs corrobcrated BY ; number Of peo
!; pie If necessary. DR.. -, who ha
! been . witness Of them. has : theor,
Z | which may be the right one sitter sll
{ chimerical as it may seem at first. Il
Z this case he thinks the gentieman ha
: in reality gone through just such
+ scene Is has been described, and ths
: probably the young lady was hi
. daughter. The dreadful shoe
i her loss produced acted ID . pea
y liar wsy upon hn brais. Il mul
n taks thres ysazs for so0s unlEaov
n