Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-01

of about 20 persons, OF the sort usually seen
at the seances. The spiritualists Of the
place, thought The room had been ar
ranged after the fashion customary. There
was an improvised cabinet In one corner,
chairs in a semi-circle in front of it, not too
near. Judson seemed sort of master of
ceremonies, passing in and out, greeting
newcomers, whispering word here and
there. He was pale, I thought, and
seemed rather preoccupied. We waited
perhaps a quarter of an hour and then Jud-
son ushered into the room a tall, slender
woman, middle-aged, gray-haired, with
rather strongly-marked features and dark
eyes that had tired look. She seemed a
person of nerves. A trife above the average
medium in appearance of intelligence and
refinement; and with rather less of the self
assertive boldness usually displayed by the
women who make business Of communing
with spirits. There was no preliminary
nonsense. She entered the cabinet in
business-like way. Judson turned the gas
down low so that we were in the dimmest
sort of dim religious light; just the light,
1 have always observed, that seemed most
congenial to spirits; or rather that aided
most effectually in the tricks played by the
mediums. Then he sat down by my side
and said: "Let us all clasp hands"
L grasped with my left the fat hand of a
large woman next to me, and Judson seized
my right with his lett hand. 1t was quite
cold, and, thought, trembled little. He
leaned over ME and whispered in my ear
ST am determined to see that journal to-
night. IF will can do it, it shall be done.
Join your will with mine. You are man
of will. Let US force the powers to yield to
our combined will"
I was startled by the intensity of his man.
ner, more than by the words. In spite of
my half disgust at the whole proceedings
that were such an exact repetition OF more
than one humbugging seance, I was forced
into respectful attitude of mind; and at
once became an interested assistant where a
moment before had been an unbelieving,
critical observer. nodded my head and
Judson's grasp of my hand became firm.
Then there was complete silence for many
moments. bent all my mind to the one
thought that would see that journal wher-
ever in the large world it might be. At first
nv thoughts would wander, but then 1t
seemed to me that Judson's grasp tightened
and drew the desultory thought back to the
one subject OF his own thoughts. 1 have
considered this good deal since and con-
clude that Judson did, for he time at least,
possess some extraordinary power, possibly
pure force of will. At all events, 1 grew
uOTc duu LuOIc uCtcIuluCu W uhbC IL Will
done. Then there came calm voice from
behind the curtain of the cabinet.
hat is your wish?"
No one spoke for a moment, and then a
weak voice at my left said something about
desire to see child that had died, and an
other voice expressed the wi to look upon
the form of departed husband. was too
much occupied with my own thoughts to
notice then that this was the same old scene
enacted as at ali the other seances. Again
there was perfect silence, it seemed inter-
minable. could hear the breathing OF the
fat woman on my left. 1 could hear my
watch ticking in my pocket. l thought that
1 could hear my heart beat, but all the time
there was the firm pressure of the cold hand
of my friend, and the constant thought, now
shaped into words, and the words into
sentence, and that sentence continually re-
peating itself until 1 seemed to hear that
to: 81 will see that Journal tonight"
And still that strange silence. The air in
the room became close. Every door and
window had been carefully closed and the
breathing of 20 or more persons had made
large drafts on the oxygen. Suddenly q
breath famed my cheek, then stronger
draught, and then a steady current OF air
set against my face. felt it move my hair,
and it smelled of the sea. It was salty.
Yes, undoubtedly o strong, steady sea breeze
was in that room, and it brought with it