Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-20
WITH A MEDIUM.
a CORRESPONDENT wREsTLEs WITH AL
LEGED SPIRITS.
At a seance Business like Meeting
Spirit Communication =
Table ripping.

SAN Francisco, December 10, 1881.
/ have read with much interest the mar
ratives referring to supernatural experience
which have been published in several is.
GREETED that nothing has happened to me
which folks could shudder at. But in this
connection may relate my impressions
and some things that occurred at Sunday
night seance of one of our most noted San
Francisco mediums, whom / was led to
visit just to see what happened there. |
accompanied lady relative, who was in
my own condition of belief, and another
friend who had been for years wrapped up
in Spiritualism, so that to whichever side
might eventually lean l was certain OF
support There are perhaps many who
have wondered what happens
AT sEANCE,
But have no opportunity to crafty their
curiosity, and it is for such readers that l
give this truthful report, endeavoring to
set down naught in prejudice either way,
giving, in the several instances where they
are used, the real names and initials men
toned. The medium chosen was clairau-
dent and telegraphist that is, she heard
the voices OF spirits as they spoke and
received communications by raps. As we
entered the gate l was impressed with the
business side of the profession, for the
mediums name ran in good, clear, gilt let
tiers in semicircle round the transom over
the door, as though she were, perhaps, a
doctor, or dressmaker or something else
with which we never fail to associate a
bit of money. The door opened upon a
flight of stairs, at the top of which we
were met by a timid, gentle young lady,
who said it would be four bits apiece, and
directly we were ushered into small double
parlors, neatly furnished, piano, sofa,
lace curtains, pictures, mirror, ETC., sug-
costing nothing mysterious or out of the
common. Others were there before us
several
WILD HAIRED OLD MEN,
And scattering of a few awed young
men a woman with unnatural cork-screw
curls set thickly across her forehead a
plain old woman in mourning; a pretty
young girl who bore marked resemblance
to her mother beside her, and so on. We
three were perhaps also endowed with some
popularity by others who observed US.
We were before the hour and sat uncom.
fortably staring at the wall and simultane-
ously turning toward the new corners until,
at a few minutes to s, the medium en-
tered. | had just read Howelps Undis-
covered Country" and hoped to see Egeria
BoyntoD, but the lady looked more like
Mis-. Leroy-stout, comfortable, well-to
do. Her hair was in water waves. She
wore black silk dress, and four handsome
diamond rings adorned one hand. The
business side of spiritualism once more in
truded upon my mind. My spiritualist
friend-a lady of refinement and unusual
education entered into a conversation, in
which her own language was thrown in
strong relief against the murdered gram
mar of the medium. 81 have often went
to that table," said the latter, without
feeling an influence but the spirits has
never failed to be present with me-" She
also referred to them spirits, and said,
"spirits is " and "spirits was. i" By and
by she explained test which she wished
each in turn to put. We were to call a
number of
FICTITIOUS INITIALS
And finally name those of dead friend,
which was afterward done by each in turn,
and in no one instance was an incorrect re.
Spouse received. Every spirit responded
to the call of the living friend, and we
could not but be satisfied on that point
The medium sat behind such little table,
with the drawer removed and its vacant
space turned outward, as comes with an
ordinary set of bedroom furniture. With
lead pencil she pointed about the room,
asking in her strong voice, Shall we have
this gentleman, or this lady, or this one, or
this ~ and according as we were rejected
or accepted by the little raps on the table
we were seated, but all, in time, were bid
den, though we made many tables full and
the evening was late before we were all
taken. Each time the pencil was pointed
at the elderly woman in mourning she
leaned forward expectantly, and each time
as she was refused she leaned back again as
though in an instant she had nerved her.
self to bear suspense a little longer. AS
the people sat about the table l watched
them curiously. Some were awed, some
smiled as if In joke, some sat with brows
sternly bent, and most found questions fail
them when they came to the point, SO that
they were more than once rebuked impa.
tiently. As each one separately placed his
hands on the table noticed that he bent
his face and
LOOKED sTEADFASTLY
Downward while he listened intently. The
first communication which attracted me
was received by young woman with a
cheerful face, set round by plain, neat
bonnet. The others seemed satisfactory
to the recipients, but were of no interest
to me. When this lady touched the table,
however, little patter ran all over it, and
it seemed pervaded by tender tremor.
at is a child, madam, said the medium.
The name is either Ida or Ada" 1t
is Ida" returned the lady. with a happy
smile. sob | am so glad to see you,
mamma !" burst from the hard iJs that
spoke such dreadful grammar, and though
the tone was such joyous one theface was
as unconcerned and unsympathetic as ever.
''Mamma is glad to hear you speak, was
the mothers response. Are you with
mamma often, dear?" every often, "
came the rapturous reply. "Were you
with me, Ida, the other day when / was SO
sick and suffered so much ~ Yes,
mammal" "Will come over there soon,
and be where you are.' The lady's back
was half toward me, but / could see that
the tears were dropping over her face.
"We unlock no such secrets, exclaimed
the medium, sternly, and added: '.There
comes another child-a boy! Is brother
with you, Ida," asked the weeping
mother. Eugene is here" came the an
swer, quickly, and continued lightly 81
am glad to see you, uncle; don't forget
how you used to catch me in your arms
and toss me-" 1t was
AN ELDERLY MAN,
Who was addressed, and he replied
EYES," while the mother exclaimed de-
lightedly. He did, he did" She chung
to the table lingeringly, after her time had
and ~ 10 oa5d lor,