Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-10-18
1 abost Il tho ssvsaseeuth Century.

About mile from Ragfey, bordering
the old Roman IidGeWay, were the re-
mains Of the humble pfi0ry OF Cookhill !;
the dormitory and ofdCes of the nuns
being formed into q plain farmhouse, to
raise and roof which the adjoining
chapel had been despoiled. Here lived
q worthy couple, old John Slade and
Alice, his sister. Alice had long been
ailing, yet no one could tell why. Dur
ing the day she was cheerful; but ~
night came on she fell into grievous
sweat, and could scarcely contain her
self for fear, and sat by the blazing
hearth with her eyes fixed. starting It
every sound.
For lack Of rest and food she one d.,
fell into deep swoon, and was put to
bed whereupon she walked, and seeing
that she was in her usual chamber ad.
joining the chapel, she struggled to e.
cape, crying that no mortal should keep
bet there. Her brother, fearing that
she was possessed, had her tied to the
bed, and acquainted ParsOn More, then
at RaRtey, who had much repute with
humble folk ii alIaPiug disorders.
pr. More WIS brought by Lady Con-
way, and after much persuasion and
shfinking, Alice SlHde described to them
how, on three several occasions, in that
room she had seem. It the stroke Of
twelve, awAv1ng figure in 4 black habit,
with the face bound up a. II for burial,
and that the said figure had aftpYwyrd
beckoned to her, a. she w@ bindf1R
fagots on the chapel hags; and, .srhfth.
| orad as ] was, added Alice, IT could
but follow, till sheaank under the stones
ct the window end and on that SPOT
hear her signing and signing every
day. Lady Conway and DR., More
so0thed the sufferer; and the eager In
tarest Of the visitpfs In any man {eStas
ton of spiritualisn, aftefWard oaps6d
Henry More to examine very carefully
lunder Alice's guidance, the place where
1.-THE apparition disappeared. It was .
p lain s1ab about two feet square; and
bending with his ear to the ground there
certainly came at intervals q sound like
. Sigh or murmur. For . moment
| that pale, thoughtful fAc6d flushed then
LIT was turned to Lady Conway.
sour senses are readily deceived be
said this may be but counterfeit o.
nature Slade, bear . pickaxe THU
way, II ye have 0ne."
The s1ab was upheaved, and proved to
be the entrance to q passage or vault ex-
tending east and south. Procuring Z
ladder and holding . roll Of lighted fiAx
Get in oil, Henry More deeeended. he
saw some human remains beneath the
tomb of Lady Isabel de Reauchamp, and
elsewhere; and, at the entrance, in 8
fair state Of preservation, was plain
elm coffin, having burnt in the lid
margaret Dyson, 1873, r. I. P" The
Imysterioqs noise was easily explained
for the ground WAS covered by seyera
inches Of water oozing from . point neal
the surface, where q fragment 9f ston.
4 jutting out intercepted the rilli and
from this projection the water dropping
at intervals caused gurgling, signing
sound to reverberate.
Alice Slade became easier In, mind
but without manifest disease her body
grew weaker; and when Valentino
Greatrake was called to her bedside, q
feeble was the action Of the heart tina
the attendant thought that she wa
gone. The wonderful doctor began BY
murmuring few sentences In 2 plain
tive tone, taking her left hand mean
} while. a
Whereupon the sufferer opened he
eyes and smiled and after = while b.
repeated those strokes and passes TO
which he was famous. He then inquir
ed whether she would show him thu
Malvern Hills when, to the wonder
ment of those present. Alice being dress
ed, presently walked quickly out of tn
house. and Gid ~ hs desired. Nor wa
Heritage. who was then bailif at tn
home farm, saw her - q very old wo
man years sfterward, and gave thes
particulars to Mr.. Popham Seymour
Arg0sy.