The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-01-01
4 PHANTOM FEAST.
The Ghostly Doings and Invisible
Guests Of q New York Table-A
Strange Mystery.

Apropos Of the stories of haunted
houses and ghostly doings to which the
prevailing Spiritualistic mania has CIV
en- rise, q correspondent sends the fol-
lowing to the New York World, vouch-
ing for its truth:
There is 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-
pcarance IS striking rather tall, with
head firmly set OH 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 first-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
O'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
respondent 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 strange gentleman enters,
bis 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 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 vet 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 1.lled; and as 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
door-hoat, as it were, out Of sight
and the gentlemen remain. Converse.
ton seems to be renewed, when sudden
~ the gaze Of all is riveted upon two
young men who appear to be- very
angry. They both rise excitedly, one
draws = dagger, aplifts his arm, and
with quick, descending motion buries it
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 her
dress.
Every face is filled with a look Of
horror, and with cry of agony the
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 a 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 bis bed. For q
long time oil means of resuscitating him
Tail, but at length, with q deep sig h he
opens his eyes and means, 80, is it all
over :: Then he falls into deep slum.
Der: and so remains until the afternoon
OF the third day, when he makes his an.
pearance at tho Office, calm AID collect.
3D. calls for his bill, pays it without tho
least demur, orders q carriage, and
there we lose sight Of him until three
years roll over our heads, when We feel
sure that he will visit US again.
Many stranger things happen than
ever appear in print, and this probably
would have been one Of them had NO
the public become excited over tn
Eddy mysteries and fairly reused our
scientific men to investigate that inde-
Enable something that steals up stairs
after us everyday people, and lays its
cold hand upon US in our sleep. :,