Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-12-26
Spirit Rapping 1t is said spiritualism

spirit Rapptng 1t is said spiritualism
is rampant in our midst. The "mediums''
nightly assemble at certain focal points
where the ghostiy visitants from the pale
glimpses of the moon most do congregate,
making the b!ool cusde in the vains and
the hair to stand on end like the "fretiul
porcupne,' by their strange tidings from the
abode of the lost. Truly, frightful state of
things, in our staid, sober, intelligent COM
munity. The "rappers" place themselve in
spiritual communication with those whom
they wish to interrogate by a loud rap, and
the immaterial presence immediately raps in
response to the summons There were both
black and white spirits lowering around ca
ger to impart and receive information about
people whom they knew in the flesh. The
venerable spirit of a former vender of "spiri-
tual comfort was Intercepted and gave
quite glowing and interesting sketch of
himself, since the date of his departure. He
stated that he now occupied the dignified
and responsible position of mixer" of drinks
to his santanic majesty, and that his oppor-
tunities in this way led him to indulge too
freely at times, and az consequence,
broughten his old malady-the mania pOtu.
He states further, that his worthy contem-
poraries whom he occasionally visited in
their intermediate stage of being were as
contented as could be expected under the
circumstances, He casually mentioned
that there was rumor current below that
the spirit of an ancient defaulting official
had started some years ago for the "undis-
covered country" but unfortunately en-
countered in its passage over the river styx
another defaulting official, now one of Cha
ron's aids, who always swore he would be
revenged upon said official because he
pocketed certain fees when exercising the
functions of high sheriff for Montgomery
county, to which he, the said official, was
lawfully entitled as his successor to said
officer. This communication was much
relished by the gossips present, who will
at once revive this stale piece of scandal at
the expense of the late sheriffs reputation.
This, and other spicy news items were furn-
ished to the appreciative audience, with
much gusto. This spiritual parsonage be-
ing at once recognized by his garrulity and
volubility of utterance Barking jake"
as he was Familiarity known, was the next
raped up, to which he responded by a
loud yelp-a sufficient testimonial of his
identity. He informed his questioners that
his present position in the "old dominion
as he termed it, was that of first assistant to
Cerberus, and, in fact, did all the barking
for him, as the old fellow from long service
and general debility was only able to sneeze
when he wished to announce the arrival of
old lack Chandler the other day. He made
many and minute inquiries after the friends
he left behind him. tie said he should like
to return for short visit during Xmas Holt
days Just To take an affectionate peep at
those spots where he spent SO many pleas
ant hours-espeoially should he like To visit
Equality Hill" AMI view it, tranSmogrifed
surroundings He made anxious inquiries
after the Boss and even "Oid Pete" came
in for share OF tender soiicitude and con-
sideration. He seemed anxious to learn
whether the Boss had raised any colts from
Pete. The question could not be satisfactory
ly answered, the Boss not being present
He remarked, by way of parenthesis, that
the only real objection he had To coming
was that the sale Of the ardent" had been
discontinued on the Hill #; in other words
it had no longer spiritual affinity for him
After this the voice became indistinct and
feeble, and finally ceased to articulate. The
sweet "reminiscences Of the past had COM
petely overcome the sensibiitles of his ma
ture. In vain the medium tried to recall
the vanished spirit-the only reply was the
distant bark of some honest Watchdog bay
lug the moon or guarding his masters hen
root from midnight raids Truly has it been
said, "There are more things in Heaven
and earth than are dreamed Of in our phi
losophy"