The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-12-29
DOUBTFUL AcQuAINTAMcEs.

1T il very mysterious" said Lily,
with strong emphasis on the adverh.
TO me-" observed an elderly lady
bosrler. "it appears to be something
worse than mysterious; and, without
making any assertions, would ut least
caution you, my dear. against any closer
intimacy with one who seems SO often to
he possessed Of information in manner
II which there is no conceivable natural
explanation.
1T reminds me most, said the Rev.
Mr.. Briggs, "of certain cases, I'M
doubtedly well authenticated. in which
the existence Of the so-callcd second
sight has been demonstrated in very
singular maauer."
"And." added my uncle, "al.hough
many ii the professors of Spiritualism
have been proved impostors, it 10y 10
means follows tina. all"
EYES, yes, broke in our lady friend.
"hut We ali know that people once had
dealings with familiar spirits, and never
could find any proof tina. tins kind Of
thing has ever ceased, ami therefore, rs
! said before, | very strongly caution
you--"
"hush !" cried several voices. "Here
he comes.
My uncle, my Cousin Lily and were
staying At u boarding house Mt the sea.
side, and among Il somewhat numerous
campanv was II certain Mr.. Gregory.
We had made his acquaintance on the
night III anr arriga. III a rather co.nical
manner. tie VAS passing our room Just
- LILY was calling to mo III tone Of
wosal d..sntis that she hal broken the
key ia the soca AMI could not get out.
Throa-l, the key-hole he hadvolunteerei
his services is m amateur iock.picker,
ard released us from our imprisS .nment,
TIL, introduction hal served quite rs
well as much more formal one would
ilaye done t. inaugurate what promised
q h. 2 pleasant seaside acquaintance.
Nv ell iirst >inat he certainly present
q ~ httie appearance of heing n sus-
li..ons nr dangerous character. He was
,anty Issn Of some . years OF age.
Nl's. 4 bright. frank expression and !.
s.caia II mischief in his eyes. He was
exceedingly intelligent and well in-
Srmel, AMI. though rather retiring in
tho mixed company OF our establish
ment, could, We discovered, sing we'll,
read we'll and talk we'll. Without in-
.ruding himself upon us, he had made
himself Very agreeable to rs two girls !;
young professional man suffering from
ovcr.wark, who had come down to II.
. csais his health. But We are often
Narnca ayaias. Judging from appear
nnres, and he had during the past few
DAYS manifested very remarkable
power 81 elaircoyance or second sight,
or whatever else YOU like to call it,
which had created great sensation
among ~.
On the previous day, for instance, my
nncle had M. gentleman at the sta
ticn aaa kal hranght him home To din
ner. We saw them walking slowly up
the ga. den together in conversation, and
Lily hal exclaimed:
Vino on eaath - this p
Mr.. Gregory looked and said 2
His name is Smith. AMI he is return.
ing TO town by the midnight train"
You know him %
Viewer saw him in my life before, y
was the answer
Sure enough his name proved to be
Saith, and he returned 70 town that
night after long private interview with
ny nnr'e nor had he, he told u, in
answer 70 orr inquiries, ever seen q
heard II Mr.. Gregory before.
On Saturday morning, also, the Rev.
Mr.. Briggs, taking walk on the beach
medi.ating ON his Sunday text. had en-,
eouatered MIR. Gregory, who volunteered
information rs to the said text, will
chapter and verso all correct, t. tllt
pctriiaction oi the reverend gentleman,
On another occasion, when our elder
iy LAZY friend mentioned that sh. Lai
been ont making small purchase, Mr.
Gregory informed us soto uoce that
hottie 81 Lairwash constituted the pur
chase In question. This communicates
was very unfortunately overheard. Il,
correctness was not at the time definite
j. established. but it WIS shortly ate
ths that she first propounded her owl
Iarileillar theory on the subject. which
She put forward with renewed c0nfi,lenc.
in the conversation given above, after
FISH display II the unhoiy phenomenon
III she called II. This VAS the occgslo,
thereof. Mr.. Briggs lad been seei
coming Up til wax in great glee with
rarc,l under lii atm.
What Las he got there?" said some
one.
''All ihe works Of Josephus for ten.
Tsaee, replied Mr. Gregory.
iIuais dlatels a,tessard Mr.. Brig.
entered the room all said to the ccm
p.ay:
= What do Won think I have ius1
'GaEit?' - which tie general response
Aa1.
" All Josep'las for tenpaaca.
Il tarnel out that he lad just fer.
f,.tsi it oat il9Ls second hand book.
81
wen questioned about his mysterious
poHess, Ar. Gregory always became
sesy serious. end gave no information