National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-26
HOW THE JUDGE GOT FOOLED.
BY DERRICK popp.

| Talking about spirit wrapping, old
| Judge Peters, of Van Ness avenue, was roped in
by lot of long haired spiritualstic frauds about
two months ago, and ever since has been putting
in eight evenings week attending the seances of
one of the medumistic circles that are just now
devastating this unfortunate settlement Through
the agency of this cheerful industry the judge has
"communed with about every authentic member
of his ancestry at the very reasonable average rate
of say, ten cents rap. In fact, nothing but the
circumstance of Peters lineage not being clearly
defined further back than the Judges great grand
father prevented that amiabe old iurist from be-
ing started ON the road to the almshOuse weeks
ago.
The other day the Judge dined with his old
bachelor friend, Colonel Zugg, and became very
angry at the ippant manner in which the Col
onel spoke of the sacred subject of spirit mani
festations
II tell you the whole business is fraud of the
meanest description, and only calculated to de-
ceive the minds of children and fools,' said the
Colonel, upsetting wine glass in his earnestness
"Oh, it's all very easy to sit here and talk that
way retorted the Judge much aggravated, "but
just come with me some evening round to Pro-
fessor Frowziheds circle and investigate the thing
for yourself If you amt convinced I'll swallow
my own -"
"Now, look here old man." said the Colonel
banging the table till the plates ratified ''if what
you call spirits of departed statesmen and men of
genius come back to earth to say the silly, COM
monplace, idiotic things these mediums dish out
why, all I've got to say is"
Don't talk that way, Colonel" interrupted the
Judge, severely. "Only last evening had COM
munieaton from Mrs. Peters. She said she was
perfectly happy and wanted TO be remembered
TO you. She said she would always hover over and
protect me-"
did, eh?" sneered the Colonel, handing mac
aroon TO the black and tan. al 'spose now, you
really imagine that she's in this very room?"
Certainly" said the Judge, dropping his voice.
81 am perfectly sure that -" and then he sud-
denly stopped with a start, while both of the old
cronies jaws dropped, and their eyes seemed about
to pop out of their heads, for as the Judge spoke
two distinct affirmative raps came from the table
before them.
There was not another soul in the room. Evin
the servant had placed the coffee and retired But
there was no installing the raps.
"There-theres Maria, nown murmured the
Judge, nervously clutching the Colonels arm.
"Ain't that you, Ria"
The raps were repeated.
docs seem er-er-little singular-as it were,"
said the Colonel, after close examination of the
table. "Ask-ahem-ask it another question,
Judge"
1-udu III lucd was d-SI Autdiu1li, S1lO IAIS
Judge, somewhat scared. "I-ahem-do you wish
to converse with me, 'Ria?'
Two raps.
"Are you happy in spirit-land?'
One rap.
"Can do anything for you?"
. Five raps
"Do you want your grave fixed up?"
One rap.
do you want me to stop going to see-ahem-
see certain person?'
Lots of raps.
"There! didn't tell you," whispered the Judge
to the Colonel. There wasn't another soul knew
about my visiting Widow Gunderson but your
SELF
Four rapS
"What do you mean by that, 'Ria?'
Eleven raps.
"Calm yourself 'Ria-calm yourself If you're
so jealous won't see the widow any more
Two raps.
'"Honor bright; there, now, Colonel" said the
Judge, triumphantly. What do you think of
that?'
"Why, 1 think said the Colonel, who had been
peering underneath the table for few moments,
that of all the dod blasted fools ever struck you
take the medal. Your wonderful raps are pro-
duced by this terrier, who has been wagging his
tail against the table leg for the past FIVE minutes
And the crushed communer with departed spirits
kicked the dog out of the room..and went home in
rage.