The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-10

age Gave Way and She Sought Safety
in Flight-John Briley's Astonish-
ment at His Rude Awakening From
Sleep and His Wife's Clever Elk
PLANTATION of the Cause.
From the Philadelphia Times
Jennie Wilson taught school over on
Mil creek last winter in the Briley dis.
trict She boarded with Grandpa and
Grandma Tucker. and found it so lone
some with the old people that she was
glad to vary the monotony by accepting
Sarah Briley's invitation to stay over
night with her occasionally. Sarah was
lively and good company, and she and
John, though they had reached middle
age and were childless, both liked to have
Young folks about them.
Some spirituaiists went through the
neighborhood q few years ago and got up
considerable excitement, and gained a
good many followers. Sarah Briley was
one of the first proselytes and became
quite proficient as a medium and took
part in their seances, though John
fought against it bitterly.
The thing died down and was almost
forgotten, but Sarah used to tell Jennie
of the spiritualists and their manifesto
lions.
Jennie was sceptical and challenged
Sarah for an exhibition of her powers as
medium
I'D like to hear the rappings and see
the table move and all that before l be
leve in it very much, said the incredu-
lous school ma'am.
I'm show you," said misunderstanding
Sarah. Wen have a seance of our own
some time when John is gone I'll call
and you and the table can dance"
That a bargain laughed the girl;
but the winter was nearly over before
they had chance to put their plans into
execution.
AT last fortune favored them John
had to help drive some cattle to Wallace
for Neighbor Green and they couldn't
make the trip in one day. Jennie was to
stay over night with Sarah, and she was
so anxious for the promised exhibition
that she helped do the outdoor chores,
and when supper was eaten washed the
dishes while Sarah did the other work.
When the table was put back, the lamp
turned down aud curtains drawn a light
stand was brought to the center of The
room and both women seated themselves,
but their seance was interrupted before it
began by a well-knOWn "hulloa" before
the door.
John, " exclaimed Sarah, and she hur-
ried to put the stand in its accustomed
place and to turn up the light before
she opened the door.
Green sold the bunch at Beverly and
by hard riding we got home he said in
explanations but I'm tired and hun
cry Give me the lantern and get me
Jennie looked decidedly crestfallen,
never Offering to help while Sarah has
tily prepared for her husbands comfort.
Il never was so mad in my life, " she
declared testify, in answer to Sarah's
banter.
Never mind John is tired and will go
to bed soon, and l viii introduce you to
the old gentleman himself. vet, tonight
Sure enough, John was in bed and sound
asleep an hour later The house was
not paTtiti0ucd, the sleeping apartment
being only cUrtained oil from the living
room. The bed where Jonn slept stood
with the foot toward the outer room and
the curtain extended but litSe beyond it,
but it served TO conceal the occupant
from the two women, who very eau
tiOusy proceeded to repeat their prepare
tiOns
Sitting opposite, with hands extended
on the table and points of fingers just
touching, the two women soon forgot that
JOHN was in existence.
Sarah began in subdued monotone to
invoke the manifestation of the spirits.
Her keen eyes were fixed on the girl, and
in the Semi-darkened room her face had
an unnatural look. JCnnie's smile faded
under the fixed gaze, and there was a
queer tingIing sensation in her fingers.
Unknown spirit, are you here:H said
Sarah in a hOdrse monotone.
Rap, rap, rap, came quick and distinct.
Sarah hands had not moved nor had her
eyes been turned from Jeuuie's face,
which paled as she glanced uneasuy
around
Spirit, manifest yagr presence" com
manded Sarah.
Jennie's hands were tingling all over
now. and when the.table began to shake
perceptibly she could stand it no longer,
but sprang to her feet and away from the
table, that was now fitting first on one
leg and then another
there was an amused expression on the
MEDIUMS face, but the girl was too in
tehtly Watching the table to observe it.
IL was moving, really moving, and straight
toward her
Lay your hand on the table. the spirit
WISHES to greet you" commanded Sarah.
But, too frightened to obey, Jennie
Spidng on chair. grasping and elevating
her skirts as woman will when she i'm
agnes mouse il hot pursuit
q, Return the SPIRITS salutation,' said
sarah, in a sepulchral tone. as the table
nodded and tipped, still approaching the
thoroughly frightened girl.
'lJ wishes to clasp you in its arms
continued the medium, in very unsteady
Voice
Just then the table gave a lurch for
H"Iu' almost touching the girls dress.
a PAgA spring, and she was on another
tA4it lQst as the table struck the one she
iiau quit. Forgetful Of aught else but
uoI strange pursuer, she gave q terrified
scream and sprang away from it, alight-
lug Sluarely in the middle of the bed
%Auere the unconscious John was peace
Iuuy 5lumboring
,, Aw. Owl! Whoa So, there!" eiac-
mated the startled sleeper, while Jennie,
soua. loQs that it was II physical body she
no" Aad to contend with, hoped about in
q, tIdh4c endeaYor to relieve the strug-
tt.i"s John OF her presence, but owing to
lIe unaccountable fashion a man has of
gepIng in all parts of the bed at once,
s'e made several attempts before she
nL4lIy put the curtain between herself
anu me equally frightened man and sank
W a heap on the floor.
sarah, Sarah" bawled John. gasping
AIUow. 49,
s,.9 nat Is it, John7" asked Sarah in as
''y,q5uy voice as she could command
- anything the matter, Sarahl"