The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-09-29
ri was about to decline, but my

ri was about to decline, but my
wife gave me one appealing look from
those great eyes OF hers, which did
not appeal in vain. WELCOME with
pleasure said l, and thought no
more about the matter.
CAS- we walked home we stoppedto
read one of the posters. 1t was ths
ordinary programme-spirit rapping,
thought reading, clairovance, and
then followed a rather extraordinary
statement: Monsieur kardec, after
part the first, will give Illustration
of modern conjuring and prestidigit'
alton, without apparatus or accom-!
plices. The whole will conclude with
the mysterious disappearance Of a
lady selected from among the audi.
ence.' We both rather looked for
ward to the entertainment as a break
to the dull monotony Of our daily
round at Herne Bay.
"Punctual to the time, we presented
ourselves at the Assembly Rooms,
and were the sole occupants Of what
were termed the reserved fauteuils,,
which were two rows of ordinary
cane-bottom-chairs. I don't think
there were fifty people in there al
together. The first part of the per-
Torrance was deeply interesting;look:
ing back upon it calmly as / do now,
and speaking with the authority ofone
who knows" said the man tand the
fire of enthusiasm flashed in his
watery eyes,, 81 am convinced that
Monsieur Kardec was a powerful
medium. Then followed part two,
about which there was nothing very
remarkable; they were ordinary feats
of sleight-cfhand-good simple cons
juring Of the old school. And then
Monster Kardec addressed us in q
short lecture. He told us that what
he was to do before our eyes was no
trick, no juggle-'in fact said he,
there is no deception whatever. 1t is,
he added solemnly, the works of the
spirits l did not pay much atten-
ton to what looked upon then as
the idle patter of the professional
conjurer. have since had reason to
change my mind" and then he gave
q deep sigh. monsieur Kardec ex,
hibited to us the ordinary big card
board extinguisher. And now,' said
he, if any lady will step forward, I
will cause her to disappear by the as
sistance of my familiar spirits The
gentleman at the piano began to
play the ghost melody from The Cor
stefan Brothers. ! never hear that
tune now," said the little man, "but
it makes my flesh creep.
Nobody volunteered. Monsieur
Kardec was evidently Disconnected.
Ladies and gentlemen, he said, if no
lady will oblige me, ! shall be unable
to give you this interesting expert
ence.' Then he appealed to my wife.
Madame he said, you would con-
fer an obligation on me fyou would
come to my assistance"
"Hettie-I mean my wife-alwaysa
good-natured girl, rose at once, be-
fore l could demonstrate. Monsieur
Kardec led her to the little table in
the middle of the stage. How lovely
she looked, as she stood in the we'll
known pose of the Greek slave, with
clasped hands! noticed, too, that
she wore the diamond riviere that
had been my wedding-gift. The con-
Juror covered her with the great ex-
Spirits of the vast
heavens, help mel he shouted, in
sort of scream of entreaty. He
knocked over the extinguisher. My
wife had disappeared
"There was tremendous round o
applause, in which I joined; but I
didn't quite like it, all the same.
Then the gas went out us if by magic.
| felt myself suddenly seized by the
wrist, and the voice of Kardec Kissed
in my ear, MY poor friend, some 4
thing very terrible has happened;
your wife has been carried off by the
Indignant spirits; but he added,
mechanically, 4 will save her,
Or perish in the attempt
There was pause.
81 have never seen nv wife, sir,
rom that day to this" said the lit
lie man, as he buried his face in his
lands. "It was the vengeance of
The spirit world upon one who was
once what you are, my friend-a
,coffer and an unbeliever." Have
you never searched for herr" l said.
"What would be the use?" said the
title man.
just then the train rolled into the
station of Folkestone Harbor.
"And the conjurer?" said l.
''He must have met with similar
ate," said Mr.. Boobyer, who was
his impediments; ''for he
lever came to receive the money
aiken at the doorsl"
EDMUND YATES. London World.