The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-07-29
A NEW FASHION IN GHOSTS.
Science Has Brought About Changes Even
in the Phantom World.

At a time when we begin to realize
that science, philosophy. even theology,
nave had their phantoms and goblins
that vanished at the dawn and the
,ocls-crowing of new knowledge, it is
entertaining to see what u different
form superstition itself has taken.
There is distinctly new fashion in
ghosts. The old-fashioned ghosts of
romance, clad in long, white garments,
who always "glided'-the readers of
Frank Stockton's stories will remem-
ber the difficulties with which the hob
goblin who invariably skipped" kept
step with the ghost who glided when
they went for walk together-and
who solemnly waved their hands for
adieu when they disappeared through
barred and bolted DOORS or vanished in
open space, are lost to us forever. The
inscrutable etiquette of No Mans
Land, that twilight wonderland, has
been rudely overturned. skeptical
young friend of mine once suggested
that the characteristics of it's code
perfect noiselessness of entrance and
exit, subdued step and demeanor, ST.
lcnce, until addressed-savored toe
much of departed buffers or the shades
of "gcntlcmcn's gentlemen" But,
however this may be. all is changed,
and "motley's our only wear" In the
late developments of the societies for
psychical research we see not even but.
lers and Wallets but lower set. presum.
ably kitchen menials from their habits,
or. at the best, the tramps and clowns
Of the spirit-world. Science has dealt
the last blow to our glider and van
isher, our ghost of awe and mystery.
Not even spectral finger has been
left to bcckon, not a vestige of his robe
to f'utter in the galleries at dusk or on
the winding stairways of the draughty
and dilapidated mansions which he un.
!accountably preferred to frequent.
Modern ghosts are addicted to practi
cal joking. One was heard "gobbling
about like turkey-cock close beside
the bed'-we quote the narratives laid
before the aforementioned societies
and, again, stumbling over boots and
shoes, though there were none there
One account begins we'll. The ghost i:
"a tall man. with q very pale face, ant
dark hair and mustache: the expires
sion of his face is sorrowful.' But
alas, he shows the same propensity
sometimes he is seen peeping around
the side of an open doorway. sometime.
he steals up behind the lady of the
house and slaps her Familiarity on the
back"
The like disappointment meets us il
the following-also one of the best au
thenticated stories: "The latch Of The
door moved up and down; the iron case
ment began to clatter, and also the lie
of warming-panr' Ghost of Il depart
ed inn-maid! Perhaps murdered by :
sensitive traveller for Gathering rea
lid as he was about to sink into blissfu
slumber.
The unseen guiders of planchette ar
notably given to bad habits. "Espec
tally when the hand of the autornist i:
exhausted by long and somewhat bar
rem effort, the word devil will some
times be written over and over agail
with an energy that shocks the unsus
pecting writer" An English vicar tes
titles that planchette is sadly addicted
| to evasion and subterfuge, and show
ga total Indifference to truth for it
own sake. coupled with what looks lill
Il morbid dread of seeming to be ignor
ant of the reply to a question" Th
frequency of tibs and quibbles in tn
blanche ette-writing of this serious clel
gyman again-suggests the tendenc.
to make game of the experimenter AM
play practical jokes at his expense.
Intelligent purpose or relevance ar
totally lacking, and it is well that tn
ghost of science is supposed to posses
the charm which in Miss Matild
Stubbs mind raised her lover above al
other young men-''he was thereto
he has no other. In fact, we are toll
that ''the ghost usually acts in mar
ner indicating insanity or idiocy." 81
man in a froclk coat and "a woma
in veir' (see "Report on Appar
tions'O, are in the habit of entering
particular chamber at night and gain
upon the occupants of the bed. bu
nothing comes of it. Another woma
is always seen ''as she is in the act c
turning corners" In many cases tn
only known occupation of the ghost
making night hideous with the cras
of breaking glass or china. Anothe
displays fondness for heat-has thi
any reference to the climate of il
habitual residence?-''s standing nea
the fireplace or stove, but vanishin
when addressed. In Short says til
compiler somewhat impatiently, INC
n single ghost of all that are .brougl
before us seems to have any purpose
act in a rational manner to accomplis
anything"
brought before us!' What r,
versal of ancient law and preceden
when even ghosts may be summone
by science, and examined like Il hous,
maid as to moral character and genera
intelligence. Bat it does not yet appcu
what fines may be levied or penultie
enforced for misdemeanors proved.
is new fashion with a vengeane
when we investigate with such a ton
the unrestricted immigration of illite
ate vagabonds of the spirit world int
ours.-Ella II. Mosby, in Detroit Fire
| Press.
PROPER DIET FOR DYSPEPTlCS
a London Physician's Suggestions as
| Proper Food and Exercise.
A London physician, widely know