The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-02-21
DUPED.

About forty years ago there lived IN
Western Pennsylvania two farmers
named Wood and Osborne, respective
ly. They were near neighbors, but
inveterate enemies and it is said they
lived almost in sight of each other for
fourteen years without speaking to
each other. Wood one day went out
with . mattock to dig up half dozen
stumps that had never yet been re-
moved from his meadow; but finding
it pretty hard work, and not being
very fond of work, he gave 1t up and
returned to the house. On the way
it occurred to him that by cunning
device he might indace his unfriendly
neighbor to uproot the little annoy
ances. Acting on a bright idea that
occurred to him, he entered his house.
got writing materials, and in dis.
guised hand wrote:
Mr.. WOOD IL am an old man, fas,
approaching my end, and cannot GO
to my grave without revealing to you
. secret. When was young man
helped to rob your grandfather of a
large sum OF money. j and my part
ner buried five thousand dollars of il
under the roots of tree in the mead
ow that now belongs to you. Nc
doubt these trees have been cut down
by this time. but the stumps may still
remain. He WAS soon after hung fci
murder he had committed, and l was
sent to prison for highway robbery.
was but lately released, aud | wish to
do all 1 can to atone for past misdeedf
1 send this letter by a person who says
he knows where you live, and he viii
throw it into your house.
A CRIMINAL.
Mr.. Wood sealed this bit OF fiction
addressed it TO himself, and when
night came, ,crept stealthiIy to Osborn's
door, opened it little, tossed it in
and ran away as though Satan was
after him. On reaching home he re-
tired to rest, and reposed sweetIy TIL
morning. When he arose lie cast g
glance toward his meadow, aud to his
satisfaction discovered that ever.
stump in his meadow had been dug VI
during the night and pulled out by
the roots. After breakfast he went
co0lIy TO work and rolled ihem to-
gether in a pile, In order 10 burn
them. And imagine Osborn's bitter
ness of heart as he passed by on his
way 10 the village that morning, saw
Wood thus engaged, and he knew how
he had been duped.
STRANGE "SPIRITUALIsTIC MANIFEs
TATIoNs" are reported in the house OF
James Dunn, KerhOnson, On. Y
farmer. Rose and Ina, his two daugh
ters, II and IA years old, became pos
sessed' about six weeks ago, and
through heirinstrumentalitycrockery
kitchen ware and furniture Joined in 6
nightly dance, while the younger
Cul0kCn hnu ICmVVCt
from their cots and tucked away un
der feather beds or in bureau drawers
Rosa was soused with a tub of blue
ing water the other day, and her aged
grandmother taken from bed and
stood on her head in a corner. Invis
ible powers gave a reporter who Wis
tied the scene received black eye and
. bloody nose, and beds and tables
which he with several other men tried
to hold down, pranced around on The
floor. The visitor grasped the gi,I-
and were helplessly dragged around
and about the room by them, while
carefully and skillfuIIy tied knots were
not proof against the young mediums
Mr.. and Mrs. Dunn, members OF the
Dutch Reform Church, are quite dis.
couraged by their experiences, NJ. 8
Dunn attributins them to the uneasy
spirit of her father, who died sudden.
ly and mysteriously some time ago.
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