Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-02-26
The paper says she's goin' there next week.

1 Qeciare, aCfU. a-
And forthwith Miss Dorothy got pen, ink
and paper, and began an epistle to Miss
Professor Jones.
Bessie had to smile to watch her, as she
bent over the table. until her nose almost
touched the paper, she was writing on.
The worthy woman was SO near-sighted
that she couldn't see six inches beyond he,
nose, without spectacles, and not very fai
with them. 49,
There seemed to be something very fun-
ny about the thought OF this letter to Bes-
sic, for, as she watched her aunt write, hel
face became radiant with smiles, and after
the important document was signed and
sealed, she didn't seem to get over her msr-
riment. -. -
81 wish you'd 90 down to the post-ofice
and mail this" said Aunt Dorothy, after
supper, . - ,.....,,
1t happened that she met Allen Graham
ON her way to the village. And, as they
walked along together, she told him soge-
thing that pleased him very much, judging
from his demonst ations of mirthful char
acter.
The next Monday evening brought let
ter to Miss Dorothy.
sits from Miss Professor JONES'" said
Miss Dorothy, excitedly. ''She's comm.
She'll be here tomorrow evenin' -
CAN hope is, that she won't stay long. "
said Bessie, ''I'm goin over to Cousin Sa-
rah's tomorrow, and I shan't come home
till think she's gone"
s'She's going away on the early train,
said Aunt Dorothy. "But you needn't run
off Just because she's comm. She won't
hurt you, Pm sure. 1t haip't treating me
we'll to leave when I hev comp'ny, I sh'd
think you'd like to find out suthin' about
yonr departed frien's and the spirit world -
81 don't have any particular curiosity in
that direction" said Bessie, and the milk
pan she was washing reflected face broad
ened with smiles, as she said it.
In spite of all Aunt Dorothy could say,
Bessie persisted in going over to Cousin
Sarah's the next afternoon.
The worthy spinster was terribly vexed
with her niece for her stubborness, and
groaned over her lack Of interest regarding
spiritual affairs.
Short Y after Bessie's departure, Miss
Dorothy thought sine would read Miss Pro
| fessOr Jones's letter again, ''1t was so com
fortin'. - Sire hunted for her spectacles,
and couldn't find them. She felt for them
all over the room. They were not to be
found anywhere.
ooh, dear mev' she exclaimed, in greai
distress. "What shall do? I'm sure !
laid 'em down ON this ere table, but they
hain't here now, that 'scel tin. When Miss
Professor Jones comes, I sha'n't be able
to see thing. If that obstinate girl hadn't
gone off. But it's jest like her. She's a
Brown all through, an they was always q
contrary set when they sot about it.
s'pose Pm like the rest Of 'em; but try to
do as near right as possible. l wish l hao
my specs-1 do SOP
But her ''specs" were not to be found.
| It was dusk when some one knocked at
the front door.
There she comes!" exclaimed Aunt
Dorothy. in an awed tone of voice. ''Oh,
how my heart does fiutter."
She groped her way along the hall, and
admitted her visitor.
81 s'pose this is Miss Professor Jones ?''
she asked, meekly, as became her in the
presence of one who was on intimate terms
with the departed.
s.That's what you may call me" her Wis.
itor answered, in a hoarse tone, that seem
to indicate that communing with Spirits
must be provocative of cold in the head.
''Come Income right in," said Miss
Dorothy; "oh?'' with her apron to her eyes,
and deep sigh, ''it seems so-so-so queer
to think am in the presence of one who
who knows all about sperits an sct
things"
Miss Professor Jones was evidently affect
cd by the awe she inspired in the bosom o
Miss Dorothy, for she had to resort to hel
handkerchief, and her form shook with re.
pressed emotion.
When they reached the sitting-room, the
light burning there revealed the professor
in all the glory of most brilliant yellow
was twisted up in a little knob at the bach
of her head. She had "a very hoarse, gruf
| voice, and took most fiery Scotch snuff
which set Miss Dorothy into violent spasms
of sneezing.
The professor assisted Miss Dorothy in
her search for the missing spectacles; but
they were not to be found. The poor WON
ans idea of her spiritual y minded visito,
was very vague in consequence. All she
could see of her was yell,w spot that rep
resented the jacket she wore.
| 81 suppose you want to have me commu
nicate with spirits" said the professor, af
ter supper. sAs I must be gone SO early
/
business at once
| With which matter-of-f fact statement she
began to arrar. ge the table between them
After that she produced her japanned snuff
box, and tho pungent odor therefrom hal
strangled Miss Dorothy. As soon as she
could stop coughing and crying, she real
lied that Miss Professor Jones was already
''under the influence
! SgThoro ora cu rita hQrQ ~ anDOuncp1
! that parsonage, with her hands on the ia
BILE, which tipped mysteriously.
ssOh, dear mel" said Miss Dorothy, half
frightened. "How Gurus do feel"
"Yes, there are spirits here" re-asserte(
the professor. "Be calm, ma'am. One 6
them is coming toward you"
sOhv Miss Dorothy felt very much al
she always did at the dentists, when tol(
to open her mouth for the forceps.
"There's mans spirit standing by you,
said the professor, in solemn, dOwn-cellal
sort of tone.
Miss Doro by turned her weak eyes il
all directions, but could see nothing. How
she did long for her missing spectacles.
':He is invisible to all eyes save mine,
said Miss Professor Jones. His hand il
on your shoulder"
''Ohv' cried Miss Dorothy, show GURUS
I do feel!'
1t was probably because the sensation o.
mans hand on her shoulder was so nov
ell.
"He's of about medium height" wenl
on the pr ofessor. II think by what thu
spirit tells me, that he is a friend--a yer.
dear friend. l may say, Of yours, who dice
before he had chance to tell you of hi
affection for you. You would nave enjoy
ed his love very much if he had lived,
think"
"Dear, dear! I'm all in fuster," criet
Miss Dorothy. "How my heart does jump
1t is wonderful affectin' to have old mem
ries stirred up so. an ones feelin's harrer
ed up in this way. Oh my?" Here she
applied her handkerchief to her eyes, ant
wept audlbly.
| "He hears you," went on the professor,
with curious twinkle in her eyes, and
| great twitching of the muscles about hel
mouth, "He hears you, and bids me say
to you for him that he is waiting for yor
= l. 4