Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-24

my sister, as no living mortal but herself was
aware of that scratch, which she had
accidentally made while doing some
little act of kindness after my sisters death.
She said she well remembered how panied she
was to think she should have, unintentionaily.
marred the features of her dead daughter, and
that, unknown to all, she had carefully obliter-
ated all traces of the slight scratch with the
aid of powder, etc., and that she had never
mentioned it to human being from that day
to this. In proof, neither my father nor any of
our family had detected ii, and positively
were unaware of the incident yet saw the
scratch as bright as if Just made. So strangely
impressed was my mother that even after she
had retired to rest she got up and dressed,
came to me and told me she knew at least that
i had seen my sister. A few weeks later my
mother died, happy in her belief she would re-
join her favorite daughter in better world.
STICKS TO HIS STORY.
/ submit this in all earnestness, but request
that my name should be omitted should this
become public OF given to the press, which
you are at liberty to do should you SO desire.
FIG.
Boston, January Il, 1883
Mr.. Richard Hodgson Secretary A. S. z. r..
Boston:
DEAR SrR-Thanks for your favor of the 18th
and circulars, all of which are at hand. Will
follow your suggestion and write my father
and others who were present when ex-
planned the apparition, and on receipt OF their
replies Will forward same TO you.
will add here that there was nothing of
spiritual or ghostly nature in either the form
or dress of my sister, she appearing perfectly
natural, and dressed in clothing that she
usually wore IN life, and which wa familiar TO
me. From her position at the table, could
only see her from the waist up. and her appear
ance and everything she wore are indehbly
photographed in my mind. even had time to
notice the collar and little breastpin she wore,
well as the comb in her hair. after the STYLE
then worn by young ladies. The dress had no
particular association for me or my mother
no more SO than others she was IN the habit of
wearing-but to-day, while have forgotten all
of her other dresses, pins and combs could
go to her trunk (which we have, just as she
left it) and pick out the very dress and orna-
ments She wore when she appeared to me, SO
well do | remember it
You are correct in understanding that re-
turned home earlier than l intended. as it had
such an effect on me that could hardly think
of any other matter; in fact. l abandoned
trip that / had barely commenced, and ordi-
narily would have remained on the road
month longer.
will also add that about ten days before my
mother died she in all seriousness told me that
if it was His will, or in her power to appear to
me after her death, she would surely do So,
just as my sister had done, but have never
had similar experience. But 1 can swear to
this fact, that, Notwithstanding my life OF con-
slant travel IN Europe and America, my mind
has so frequently been full of Thoughts of
DOtn MY uOIueT anu slSItI, anu dL SuCu Ouu
and unusual times, as to half convince me that
even after their death they were eXerting
more powerful influence over me than when
they were on earth, through some subtle, un-
known agency.
NOT sUPERsTITIoUS.
The members of our family are all strong
willed, positive and naturally of a scepticaI
mind with an inclination to go into ''cause and
effect and investigate before believing; and
none of us are in the least superstitious. be-
lieving only what we can comprehend or what
seems natural. l have no doubt that many in
telligent people have had a similar experience
but through fear of ridlcule, or being cnnsId-
cred of a morbid mind, have kept it secret. 1t
seems natural for us to make light of these
alleged visitatiOns, or whatever they are. but
no mortal man could convince me, or anyone
who has had similar experience that we dld
not see just what we know we saw, and
still not be superstitiOus, merely being
unable to account for it, L have
often said to myself, II wonder
what the feelings Of another would be, if he
had, when wide awake and in his right senses,
seen what l saw with wide open eyes in broad
daylight ?" If it was common occurrence l |
am sure it would set people to thinking. l |
never expect to convince others, in fact |
1On't blame them for doubling. Had it oc-
cured to another, instead of myself, would |
lScTibe ii to some freak of memory or morbid |
state of mind. Had 1t occurred at night, l |
would have doubted my own senses, but re-
member. this was at noon, in broad daylight, |
when was smoking, writing and full of busi- |
less.
We all know or are pretty well satisfied !
hat there is such thing as ''thought-trans- !
and if the soul is immortal it would |
lot seem unreasonable to think such con-
lection might continue after death, but the /.
earned men who are associated with you are (
,etter able to solve such problems than the
writer, if such thing is possible to do.
F. G.