Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-04-11


Late one evening most OF the habi-
tues of this bright and comfortable
cafe had taken their departure, rails
ing their hats, as the manner is in
France, to Mime. Jean, the smartly
dressed and dignitied proprietress, who,
still sitting at her post behind the
marble compton, smiled and bowed
in return as they went out. The blinds
We're already down and the doors
closed in preparation for the night
Madame sat little longer, listening
to the gossip of the neighborhood,
gathered during the day by the head
waiter, to retail for her special amuse-
ment when the days work was over
and one could indulge in little relax
alton. Then looking round and seeing
that nearly all the well-known custo-
mers who every evening played dom
inoes or cards and slipped coffee, or
drank can sucre or stronger mixtures,
under her yigilant but friendly eye,
had left, she, retired for the night,
| leaving the remainder TO the care OF
her faithful Alphonse. There were
only about a dozen people now, and
everything was sleepily quiet in the
cafe, when suddenly the stiffness was
rudely broken by loud voice exclaim-
ing angrily:
1T is lie | don't believe a word
OF it, and | defy you to prove it!p
All looked up, startled, from game
or newspaper, as these words burst
I from one of the occupants OF a small
table at thefarthest end OF the room.
! The speaker seemed very much exeit-
ed; his companion, on the contrary,
| remained cool and self-possessed under
the provocatiOn, but his white face
and peculiarly glittering eyes belied
that outward appearance and arrested
attention when noticed.
| The two had been engaged for some
| time IN close and earnest converse
ton, without raising their voices, in
terrupted only now and then BY
subdued ordinations and incredulous
remarks from the excited man which
evidently did not succeed in either
shaking or moving the pale man. who
| continued talking to him and answer
ing his objections quietly, until his
opponent, losing all self-control,
sprang to hisfeet and violently disturb
ed the inmates OF the cafe by the
angry words quoted above,
Seeing that he attracted general at
tention, he looked round and said
Gentlemen, | appeal to you ALI
am sorry if have disturbed you with
somewhat violent language but YOU
shall judge whether I am justified in
refusing to believe the story | have
just heard. We happened to sit at
the same table and naturally entered
INTO conversation, Our talk drifted
from one subject to another until /
made some joking remarks about the
so-called scientific research into the
mysteries of the spiritual world. |
grant it is fascinating subject even
for an unbeliever like myself, and a
good one for conversation and play
full badinage, but to be told seriously
and as an undeniabIe fact that the
spirits OF the departed can and do
revisit this earth when they have
promised to do so, passes the bounds
Of credulity. My neighbor tells this
most extraordinary story, that two
years ago tonight he lost his dearest
friend, a lifelong friend, who. on his
death-bed, seeing his despair, solemn
ly promised that he would appear to
him on the anniversary OF his death,
which took place about midnight, il
his friend invoked his spirit; ne afirms
that he has already seen him once
since he died. Now / ask you, as men
OF sense, living in the nineteenth CEN
fury, is it possible to believe such a
statement"
The pale man had flushed angrily
J during this speech, but it was only a
transient betrayal OF feeling, for his
face resumed its former pallor, al
though his eyes retained their strange
light: and it was with marked ex-
preston more of annoyance than
anger that he replied calmly:
1t IS nothing to me whether you be-
> lieve or not: have simply stated a
! fact, and it is the truth. You pressed
me with questions concerning that
great trouble OF my life until told
YOU all: my despair when lost my
friend after years Of mutual devotion
and attachment, and his promise to
return. ] told you truthfully that he
had already kept this promise once
but you did not believe me. do not
wonder. The spiritual world is a
closed book to the majority; a glimpse
is obtained now and then by some
but chiefly by conjecture and specu
lation only, whereas actual expert
mental knowledge is rare and not
! often communicated. / told you
what my privileged experience had
been, and can prove it, incredible as
it may appear to you"
, While he was speaking. u number Of
new arrivals had invaded the cafe
calling in on their way from neigh
boring theatre for drink or cigar
Their curiosity being aroused by the
words they had partially heard, they
drew near to listen. and, being in
formed OF what had happened, Joined
the others in discussing the pros and
cons OF this debatabIe topic, some
laughingly, some seriously, according
, q H. 80. 1. A u a a