The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-03-29
KUBLA KHAN.

1.-THE spirits have said 1t, and il must
be-"
We were talking Of Yakima's future,
and Train had committed himself to the
statement that Yakima was on the eve OF
such prosperous season that it's previ-
GUS growth would be as nothing to its
future development.
The assertion had called forth the usual
number Of mild and innocuous witticisms
common on such occasions, when Train
made the rather startling remark | have
quoted. His manner was serious, and
the words were spoken with evident con-
viction. We were all surprised into sill
ence for q few seconds; then Dickson
asked seriously enough, "What do you
mean, Train?"
"Well," replied Train, "its really a
very strange matter, and one I'd rather
not have any chaff about. II you fellows
will give me your words to listen with be
coming gravity, ri tell you all about it.
You have all known me for several
years, and you know I'm just as sane as
the rest Of you, and not bit more likely
to be taken in by any hocus- pocus work
Dickson knows that part, at least, OF
what am to tell you, actually occurred,
and the rest you can take or leave as you
like. 1t lie, however. strictly true."
We were all anxious to hear what
Train had to tell, and noticed that
Dickson had kind Of half scared, ques-
tioning look, which reused my curiosity
to the utmost. We readily and gravely
gave our consent to the condition impos-
ed; and Train spoke as follows:
"Some time ago Dickson and were in
the rotunda Of the Hotel Yakima when
an old gentleman introduced himself to
Us, and We learned from him that he
came from San Francisco. and was a
noted spiritualistic medium. He was
short and stout, but OF decidedly in
tense appearance. His massive, well.
shaped head had thick crop OF white
hair. His eyebrows were dark, and his
eyes while dark and piercing, we're slight
ly watery, and the eyelids had sugges-
ton Of inflammation. Exactly the appear.
ance / have noticed in close experiment.
ers and some mesmerists. 1t occurred to
me at the time that Coleridge in Kubla
Khan had described his appearance per-
fectly-
Beware. beware,
His flashing eyes, his floating hair
Weave circle round him thrice,
And close your eyes with holy dread,
For be on honey dew hath fed,
And drank the milk OF Paradise.
So, If you don't mind, shall call him
Kubla Khan for convenience sake. We
had pleasant conversation, in the course
OF which Kubls Khan told us that he was
travelling round the country introducing
aspiritualistic journal called The S,calior
and asked If either Of Us believed in spir.
itualism. We politely told him that w
did not. Abr he said, that's q great
pity He then went on to tell US how h.
had devoted his life and q not inconsider
able fortune to the promotion VI the cause
and expressed in the most heartfelt man.
nsr his belief in what to him was the
highest truth. He spoke like an educat
cd, able and sane man, and through all
be said ran compelling undertone Of
the deepest earnestness.
FINALLY be invited Dickson and my.
self TO accompany him to his room, say.
ing that he saw we were candid and
calm minded men, and he felt sure he
would give US some food for thought, even
If he could not convince Us OF the truth Of
spiritualism.
I'VE looked at each other; each saw
consent in the others eye, and Dickson
replied that while we were not believer.
in spiritualism, but quite the reverse, w
were very willing to see or hear anything
he had to offer, and would give it oui
candid consideration. This satisfied Kubls
Khan, and we followed him to his room
1t was one Of the large rooms fronting OF
the avenue, and contained bed, bureau
washstand, table and couple Of chairs
There was no opportunity for any me
chanical or confederate assistance.
when the regular after you della,
had been got over, 1t was decided that
should make the first test. Kubla Khar
requested me to write out any number o
names ! chose on slips Of paper. The
names were to be those OF persons
knew, or had known; some were to b.
names of persons still living and som,
of persons who were dead. When thi.
was done the slips were to be folded up
like ballot papers, and placed in my hat
Knbla Kahn retired TO the door and stood
with his back towards us. Dickson
watched him closely while / wrote, con
cealing the slips with my hand. Tn,
glass in the bureau was In such posi-
ton that it could reveal nothing. wrot,
3 dozen names, folded up the slips, an6