Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-09

4 creased tn the table began 10 rock back
| and forth. noted that II rocked 10 anu
! from my acquaintance. In fact began
| to notice that had az much TO do Win
keeping the thing going az anybody else'
so gently raised my hands. Inc mo.
| ton decreased about seventh part ou'
| It did not STOP
A TEST.
Now, let's see II we can get any
| answers TO questions" proposed my ac-
| quaintance. and with one accord we al
lowed the table TO steady Itself.
How DO you make 1t talkf' ven'ured
| to ask
EITHER by tipping or rapp'ng. saia me-
(which had you rather have! -,
had seen enough OF the tipping bust
| ness, 30 | said: Il think I'd rather near
| II rap" and l looked carefully under the
| table. As did 80, my acquaintance drew
| HIS foot back from its close proximity 10
| a table-leg. and tried to vanquish look
of guilt that struggled 10 make It's debut
| on his sallow face He coughed. and
remarked that II was sometimes better
when n spirit showed an inclination
| TO tin not to ask IL TO rap. i told MIN i
would be better satisfied II II would rap.
| a
| be satisfied with any sort OF demonstra-
| tion the spirit chose TO make. l saw
/ that she was no novice. but l held to my
request My acquaintance said. Alright.
| then" and In a solemn tone, addressed
| himself TO the table:
is there any spirit here that-who
wants TO speak? One rap for no. two Tor
yes
We held our breath. Then two distinct
raps seemed TO come from the centre OF
| the table / looked down quickly, ana
! saw my acquaintance draw his foot BACK
suddenly. I thought / would see how the
sound was made. so l lightly touched
the table leg nearest me with the tip OF
my boot. and was Mortified by GOOD.
healthy spiri,ualistic yes The little man
| looked at me in surprise; then his fea-
lures Frightened under hOspitable smile.
"There are two mediums at the table"
he said TO the others, and he keep his
foot under his chair. / had not counted
on this. He had evidently taken me for
brother fakir in the spirit business
and Hospitality gave way TO me.
IF | mistake not" said he. still smiling
pleasantly, the medium Is an American.
| The Americans are better mediums than
we are. Now let's all be quiet. and see
what will occur
A MEDIUM
! For twenty minutes we sat like statues.
| Ny arms ached frightfully from holding
| them in such an awkward position. To
! rest them | began TO press down steadily.
| and to push out from me. The table
was a very rickety affair and TO my
| surprise my pressure evoked decided
| crack in IT'S centre.
"Ah. lstcnv exclaimed the little man
| in genuine surprise" never heard any
| thing as positive rs that" and he looked
| at me with genuine admiration that a
| slight-of-hand performer has for a SUI
perior in his profession.
had no doubt now that the reputation
of American splritualism was in my
| hands. / was afraid could not make the
| table crack again. ] continued the down
| ward and outward pressure, but II re-
manned mute Then ! tried steady
| pill backwards. ] was saved. 1t cracked
| again quite loudly now knew that
was proficient in the spirit tongue
"Ah" said the little man. shall | ask
IT questions?" He was looking at me
with proud. glad look in his eyes.
IF you wish" replied 1. Then he
| began:
zone rap for no. two raps for yes;
now Is there a spirit here who wants to
talk"
y steady push and steady pull evoked
n very satisfactory Eyes" Then a timid
woman cried out. 40. | think ia better
| go: don't want 10 stay" and her tremb-
ling shook the table.
you'd better stay" said the shabby
genteel man. sometimes 1t spells every
| thing to have the chain broken"
HE WAS CONVINCED.
She acquesced, and my acquaintance
! went on, speaking to the table:
You say you want TO spaak?"
81 was getting tired Of the whole thing.
so I made the table say. NO"
The spirltualist looked at me IN sur
prise. then he spoke to the table.
"You said you dill aldnt you?"
yes" apgWs:ed the table.
well. hats remarkable" said my
friend, "they usually know their own
'r'nds. Are you tired?"
The table spoke my sentiments. as he
looked at me closely.
yes" II said.
"Ah. that's a different matter" and
he beamed on me. Suppose We stop for
tonight"
we rose from the table. All the others
went into the lecture-room. He detained
me with cordial slap on the back.
"You fooled me-" ne laughed.
"How?" 7 asked
with your demonstrations. I had no
idea you were a medium. / thought you
were the greenest one in the lot. As
soon as | got onto YOU | let you have
your own way. | thought you would
show me something new. and you did.
I'd give anything TO b. able to do what
you did The table-leg business has been
pulled to death. 50 many people insist
on our standing up. and one can't get
a foot under table that way. I know
n man who Is making a good thing by
rapping with his thumb-nails, but your
raps sound like pistol-shOts."