The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-04-18
THE SPIRITUALIST

The Cafe Jean was situated at the
corner OF quiet street In Paris-re-
markabIy. quiet at all times consider
ing the near proximity OF noisy and
much frequented boulevard. but par'ti-
cularly so after 1 o'clock at night.
Late one evening most Of the habi-
tues OF this bright and comfortable
cafe had taken their departure, raising
thoir hats. as the manner il In France.
10 Mime. Jean. the smartly dressed and
dignifed proprietress. who. still sitting
NJ the post behind the marble compton.
SMILED and bowed In return as they
went out The blinds were already
down and the doors already closed for
the night Madame sat little longer,
listening 10 the gossip Of the neighbOr-
hood. gathered during the day by the
head walter 10 retail for her special
amusement when the days work was
over and one could indulge In little
relaxation. Then looking round and
seeing that nearly all the well-known
customers who every evening played
dominoes or cards, and slipped coffee
or drank eau sucre or stronger mix
lures. under her yigilant but friendly
eye. had left she retired for the night.
leaving the remainder 10 the care Of
tho faithful Alphonse. There were
only about "A dozen people now. and
everything was sleepily quiet In the
cafe. when suddenly the stiffness was
rvdely broken by loud voice exclaim-
Ing angrily:
III Is a iiel ] don't believe "A word
OF II, and des~ you 10 prove IL.
All looked up, startled from game
or newspaper as these words burst
from one Of the occupants OF small
table at the farther end OF the room.
The speaker seemed very much excited;
his companion. 10 the contrary. re-
manned cool and self-possessed under
the provocation, but his white face and
peculiar glittering eyes belied that out
ward appearance and arrested attention
when noticed.
The two had been engaged for some
tiiue In close and earnest conversation,
without raising their voices. inter-
rupted only now and then by subdued
explanations and incredulous remarks
from the excited man which evidently
did not succeed In either shaking or
moving the pale man. who continued
talking 20 him and answering his OBJ
iections quietly. until his opponent,
losing all self-control. sprang 10 his
feet and violently disturbed the I'M
mates OF the cafe by the angry words
quoted above
Seeing that he had attracted general
attention he looked around and said:
Gentlemen, | appeal 10 you all.
am sorry II have disturbed you with
somewhat violent language, but YOU
shall Judge whether ! am justified In
refusing 10 believe the story have just
heard. We happened TO sit at the same
table and naturally entered into con-
sversation. Our talk drifted from one
subject 60 another. until | made some
Joking remark about the so-called sell
'entihc research into the mysteries of
the spiritual world. | grant Il Is "A
fascinating subject even for an unbc-
iieyer like myself and good one for
conversation and playful badinage but
60 DO told seriously and as an undenia-
BILE fact that the spirits OF the departed
Gan and do revisit the earth when they
have promised TO do SO. passes tire
: bounds OF credulity. My neighbor tells
this most extraordinary story: That
two years ago tonight he lost his dear
est friend. lifelong friend. who ON
his death-bed. seeing his despair,
solemnly promised that he would APP
pear 10 him on the anniversary of his
death. which took place about midnight.
n his friend invoked his spirit. He
2. afurms that he has already seen him
once since he died. Now. | ask you.
a. men,of sense living In the nineteenth
century. IL Il possible To believe such a
statementgr
, The pale man had flushed angrily
during this speech. but II was only a
transient betrayal OF feeling. for his
face resumed It's former pallor. al
though his eyes retained their strange
Light; and II was with marked ex-
preston more OF annoyance than anger
that he replied calmly:
> 1T n nothing 10 me whether you be-
lieve or not; have simply stated fact.
and IL IL the truth. You pressed me
with questions concerning that great
trouble Of my life until told all~-my
despair when | lost my friend after
years Of mutual devotion aud attach
menL and his promise TO return.
told you truthfully that he had already