The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-05-02

its garment of earth. It struck me as
being 4 strange mixture of the material
and spiritual-this preparation Of chemi-
Gals, this assistance Of the ethereal light
itself the nearest to spirit of tangible
substances, this arrangement of screens
and furnishing OF glass, by such palpable
apparatus to seize the image of the i'm
mortal soul and retain it for the gaze of
mortal eyes. L presume no such rehec-
tions had place in the mind of Dudley.
Soul, thought and sense were concen-
trated upon one object.
Obedient as child, he submitted him
self to the directions of the operator.
When all was ready he seated himself
in the chair placed for the purpose.
Standing at one side of the room, before
the door of smaller apartment used as
a dressing-room for the ladies, was a
large screen. Caroline had gone into
this apartment for few moments when
we first arrived, but she now stood by
my side, silently waiting for the finale.
[ knew by her irregular breathing and
| slight paleness that she was much agi-
| tated.
The screen was drawn forward a few
feet towards the sitter, and another
! placed to throw out the background. By
the arrangement thus affected the sub
! ject was half inclosed in an improvised
apartment which shut out great part of
! the room from his observation.
The operator then gave him a few di-
rections:
elk your eyes and your mind both
on the camera. [ will not withdraw the
cap until discern from your expression
that your attention is sufficiently concen-
trated. Only of one thing be sure,
whatever you may feel or become con-
scious of, as you value the result to be
obtained, do not betray any emotion.
Remain motionless and silent until / give
you liberty to move and speak. Above
all do not turn to see that which you feel
approaching you. Many persons become
so agitated in the moment of trial as to
render futile their own wishes. L believe
you have mora frmnoss."
Dudley made brief response, to the
effect that he sould fulfill his part. He
fixed his eyes upon the camera with a
steady gaze. Once or twice his eyelids
|
trembled, and his hands clutched each
other with the effort at restraint which
! he made.
Presently the cap was taken off, and
after o moment. which MIGHT have haen
! years to hlm-was replaced. Mindful OF
his promise. he did not speak or turn
his head until he was requested tC leave
his chair. During the time of waiting
for the photograph to be brought out on
the glass he moved restlessly about.
We crowded close to look over his
shoulder. The marvel had been wrought !!
There was he with his keen, eager look,
and there, little to one side aud just
behind him, a part of her figure hidden
| by him, was Elexnora. She seemed
almost to float, SO light was her poise IS
she bent over his shoulder Her golden
| hair for which she had been SO admired
iu life wandered about her throat and
| shoulders rs if the breezes of heaven
were at that instant stirring them. She
appeared to be robed in some ethereal
texture, clasped by girdle at the waist
and flowing in full folds about her limbs.
1t was Eleanora the fair young wife, as
we all remembered her. She wore Joy
full expression, as if it was an intense
| pleasure to be near her husband; but it
seemed to me that the sweet face had a
slightly thinner, maturer look, as if she
too, had suffered from having been torn
SO suddenly from her earthly home.
The photographer was uneasy lest
Dudley in his ecstacy should press the
plate to his lips and mar the impression.
| He toak it gently from him, remarking
"This is altogether the best spirit pho
tograph have ever taken. 1t is miracu-
lous Mrs. Dudley's likeness is as vivid
and perfect as your own
"And she was here" cried Dudley,
''as really and truly as [ am or you are !!
Oh, what happiness is this. to feel that
our loved ones are separated from US by
so slight barrier. I tell you 1 heard
the rustic of her garments as distinctly
as if in life she were coming once more
to bless me with her touch and smile. I
! detected the very odor of violets, the
perfume she always used. Yes, as true
as God vouchsafed me this token, I felt
her breath on my cheek"
At this moment his glance became
fixed upon the opposite side of the room.
. He gazed moment in silence, then re-
sumed in rapt tone like one who speaks
in vision, 81 do see her. she is there now.
I behold her plainly. Eleanora! She
doubts-she hesitates. Do not go-stay
with mel"
We looked and beheld with our own
eyes the truth of what he asserted, as
distinctly as ever we beheld a friend in
the broad light Of day, there stood Mrs.
Dudley, wavering between flying and
approaching. Rer hair streamed down
as in the picture, her light garments
waived about her. He held out his arms
and took step toward her, pausing lest
/ the vision should vanish at too near an
approach.
"Eleanora'
The passion in his voice seemed mighty
enough to withhold a spirit from its
/ heavenly destinies. He took another
step, and she too, wavering, yet came
! forward to him He feared TO lay his
mortal hand upon her, but love was more