The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-04-25
4 True Ghost Story.

this week Of the Rev. Father Walters
recalls not only his connection with
the famous Surratt trial, but brings to
mind the strange phenomenon of visi-
tation from a supernatural world, in
which he was the principal actor.
Probably no point has ever been so
much debated as the possibility of a
spirits return from the other world.
And most stories Of this kind usually
come by roundabout way that makes
it impossible to trace the evidence.
The following incident was told by
Father Walters as his own experience
to fellow priest, who is now living in
a Virginia town:
One stormy dark night Father Wal
ters had retired, when, possibly about
2 o'clock, there came violent pull at
the bell. At the sound he sprang up
and, opening the window, glanced at
the doorstep below. There stood two
children-a boy of about II and girl
few years younger. Both were
thinly clad and their dress plainly
showed that they belonged to parents
who had small share Of this world
goods.
"What do you want p asked the
priest of his small visitors.
"Our father is dying and wants you
to come to him Immediately. one re,
piled. "We will show you the way.
In a few moments the priest was
dressed and, opening the door, stepped
out in the street where the two chill
dren were waiting. 1t was cold and
the sharp wind seemed to pierce the
thin garments Of the pair, but without
word they set out, with the priest
following closely behind. After a
long walk through lonely streets and
d-eary alleys they turned up lane
and stopped before tall, rickety ten
ement house that stood with only a
single taper cleaning from garret
window. The boy opened the door,
but did not enter.
"My fathers door is the first at the
top Of the house," he explained as the
priest stepped within. "You vii! see
light shining through the key hole
and cannot miss it. :"
Stumbling up the dark stair from
floor to floor the priest groped his way
towards a faint line Of light that
shone above like tiny thread in the
darkness. And not sound, save his
footballs, broke the solemn stiffness:
At last he reached the top floor and
opened the door from whose keyhole
the light appeared.
Here piteous sight met his eyes.
The room, which was bare Of any fur
niture save broken chair and rag
ged pallet, was dimly lighted. by a
candle stuck in bottle. Its feeble
ray danced in the dark corners and
threw grotesque shadows on the livid
man beneath the rags.
"Who are you?'' demanded the
man in low voice as the priest en-
tered the room.
"I am priest-you sent for me a
few moments ago." Father Walters
replied. -.
"You are mistaken" the man whis-
pered. "I did not send for you'll
have no one to send-I am alone-dy-
ing alone
7'That is strange replied the
priest; for two children, a boy and
a girl, came to my house, told me their
father was dying and showed me the
way"
1.-TWO children gasped the man as
he almost sprang upright. "What-
what did they look like ?"
In a few words the priest described
their appearance, and as he did SO the
man covered his face with his skele.
ton fingers. Slowly the tears trickled
through and sobs convulsed his frame;
"T6ey were my children, he cried
at last 'NIy poor dead children, i"
and he fell back on his pillow almost
exhausted.
When his strength had somewhat
returned he told Father Walters his
story. How, after the death OF his
wife he had taken to drink, how the
children had been neglected and had
finally been laid by their mother s
side, how he had sunk lower and lower
till now he lay dying drunkard s
death. He had prayed for a priest, but
there was no one to send for him.
"They were my two dead children
who came for you, Father, he said
with a broken voice "My poor chill
dren were sent by Heaven to bring
repentant sinner received the last
Offices of his Church.
This story is vouched for by gen
tleman whose yeracity cannot be
doubted, and, while it seems fiction,
really took place in prosaic, everyday
ngton.-Philadelphia Times.
Beware Of 0lntments for Catarrh that