Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-11-29
NO. 2s6.
Gales ano Skettbes.
HIS INVISIBLE BROTHER.
CONTINUED from Thursday. }

All this. and with perfect air of truth.
and coming from the admired and re-
spected Selwin, carried conviction to the
public mind at once. Even Colwell was
staggered and thought it might be true.
Selwin's triumph, then was complete.
The anti Selwin party was annihlated, and
he was more popular than ever.
Under pretext OF passing part OF his
time with his invalid mother. this yonng
gentleman absented himself from Belle
Lake every Wednesday night. returning
on Saturday. My belief was that he then
transacted some business of Il more or less
questionable nature. and that the money
he spent so freely was earned or made, by
hook or by crook, out of somebody from
week to week. ! saw, however, that it
was of no use TO attempt to overthrow him,
this season. at Belle Lake and, as busi-
ness reqired my return to town, | gave up
the whole affair.
Susie and her mother remained some
time longer, and from occasional reports
learned that Selwin's success with the
poor girl was considerable indubitable.
Feeling sure that she was being deluded
into a marriage that could only bring mis-
cradle disappointment to herself and fami-
ly | determined to make one more effort
to prevent it. Susie was too nice girl to
throw herself away on such a fellow and
in the capacity of ami de tdmilIe, thought
I would take the affair in my own hands.
With this intention sought the swamp,
and found my friend Colwell. l inquired
of him the particulars of his relations with
the "Bill Pollock" he had mentioned, and
the swindle practised upon him by that
person.
'Im almost ashamed to tell you about
that" said Colwell; ''but if you think my
experience will be of any value to you, you
are welcome. This Pollock. or Selwin or
whoever he is. is a spiritual medium. A
year or so ago | heard so many stories
about his wonderful test, that Treadley
and concluded to go and see what he
amounted to. We went to his rooms in
Amity Street, but he wasn't visible and
boy who attended the door told us it was
necessary to make an appointment, as Mr..
Pollock's time was always engaged for
two or three days in advance. We put
down our names, paid our five dollars
apiece in advance, according to the gentle
mans rule. and, when the time came, l
went to see him. Treadley backed out.
but thought l might as well get my
moneys worth.
fellow, TIE very image of that Selwin, ex-
cept that he wasn't quite so much of a
swell, and didn't squeak his words out
like a sick mouse. lie did some very
strange thing. and told me some news
from the other world which might or might
not have been true. Finally, when he had
cot me pretty well interested, and good
deal surprised, he offered to produce a
portrait of my mother, who had been dead
for about eight years
There is no picture of her i'm existence,
and have always wanted one, so I agreed
to pay him fifty dollars in advance. like a
double Ounce as | was. if he would pro-
duce one. He took the money and told me
to call at the end of month when the por-
trait would be ready for me. did SO, and
found an easel in the room, with picture
upon it, carefully covered up. Pollock
made great ado removing the drapery,
and when he had done, placed the thing in
good light. and told me to look at it,
1t was frightfIul daub, such as you may
see in any of the cheap picture auctions;
picture of "A young girl with long hair
falling over her shoulders, and her hands
clasped over her breast. | was taken all
aback, but Pollock was equal to the emer-
gency.
"You are surprised says he .'to see
her represented so young and beautiful
but this you must remember is the way she
now looks in her present celestial state ~
| think he came very near getting knocked
across the room, Just then; but. somehow
he contrived to slip out as he spoke, and
| was left with my spiritual art specula-
ton, which | incontnently thrust into the
CRATE. The boy outside opened the door
for me very politely but he needn't have
done it, felt small enough to creep out
through the key hole ~
"And you never tried to recover any
thing from Pollock ?n
mo; | was heartily ashamed OF the
whole business
rs he still in the cityp"
Il guess So
Il will 90 and have dash at him. |
don't think he will sell me any pictures -
A brief search brought Pollock's card
to light
William Pollock, Test Medium, No.
Amty street. Receptions: Thursday and
Friday, Sessions. Five Dollars per hour.
Engagements can be made several days)
in advance.)''
Thursday and Friday! The very days
Selwin passed in the city! | began to see
the beginning of the end.
| fastened to make an appointment, and
Mt the hour agreed upon presented myself
before Pollock. As | had expected, he
and Selwin were one and the same. There
was some little attempt at change-his hair
was out of curl. and his style of dress was
totally different. but there could be no
mistake about his identity.
He was greatly troubled by my appear
ance, but evinced no sign of recognition.
and he probably flattered himself that
did not know him. However, he immedi-
atelv announced that the session must be
held in the dark, and led me into an inner
chamber, whence the light was carefully
excluded.
Here, he gave me communication from
cousin of mine. a young lady, who,
when living. had been fast friend Of
Susie Nascby. OF course. | understood
where he got the little points of informa-
ton, etc, with which this communication