The San Francisco call., 1896-04-04

While sitting in reverie he heard,
"How are you, Brother Bell?" as Van de
we're came in. The Postmaster was more
than delighted with this evidence of the
wonderful spiritual power of the Clair
voyant.
Then Van de We're went into a trance
and said that Rodman and White wanted
to communicate something of Importance
TO their old friend, but that there was an
evil spirit in the way whose ghost the
professor would lay for $125. The Post
master paid the money cheerfully, for he
considered it dirt cheap to get rid of a
spirit that persisted in standing between
him and his old friend Rodman, who was
aching spiritually to inform him as to
splendid investment. Then he was intro
ouced to Professor Eugene, who gave him
sitting and informed him that there was
second evil spirit blocking the road and
that 1t would cost $500 to drive him off.
Bell objected vigorously to paying that
sum; 1t had cost only S125 to lay the evil
ghost that boarded at Van de Vere's, and
ne thought that Professor Eugene ought to
be able to abolish his particular uncanny
sprlte for $175. This sum was accepted
and the Postmaster paid it, on the 28th day
OF February, four days after he had given
$l2o to Van de We're. On that same day,
the man from Carson (he was Democrat
also) went over to Professor Van de Vere's,
where he was informed that both the ghosts
mad been laid, and that there was nothing
to prevent Rodman and White speaking
through the medium.
Ihe professor stretched himself upon
lounge and pretended to go into trance,
ana after few <esthetic shudders, inter-
spersed with groans and signs, spoke on
penaif OF Rodman, and related story Sec
ond IN interest only to that which the
Aobe Faria poured into the wondering
ears OF Monte Cristo. It was to the effect
that In the year 100 James Bell died in
Scotland possessed of an estate which, by
reason OF rents, profits and interest, had
grown to the value of f13, 900, coo sterling,
or $65, ,00O, 900. Bell left no known heirs,
and the estate was vet in chan
cery. But Rodman had discovered
through acquaintances in the spirit
land that Bell of Carso was the direct
descendant of Bell of scotland, and was
his lawful heir. He said further that the
proofs of heirship and title were extant in
England and Scotland. Rodman added
that 1t was his wish that Bell should i'm
phcltly follow the advice of Van de We're.
The Postmaster listened with open
mouth, and almost fell off his chair when
he learned that $65, 600, 900 was his, and
almost as good as in his possession. But
there was little matter ofdetail to be at.
tended to. 1t was necessary to secure and
present the proofs. the professor SAID after
he had awakened from his trance, and
fortunately he had a lawyer friend in
Chicago named c. NJ. Hodson who had
attended to other estates for the professor
IL was further explained that Hodson
was to 60 70 New York City and
secure the services of those eminent legal
lights, Rufus Choate and William NJ.
Evarts, to look after the Postmaster's in
terest in the Scotch millions. Then the
lawyer was to go to Edinburgh and Lon.
don and retain Sir Charles Russell to rep
resent him on the other side of the Allan
tic. Mr.. Hodson would require an ad-
vance of $4,000 to defray the necessary ex-
penses of the trip and to pay him for his
services.
The Postmaster did not have $1,000 He
had already paid $500 to lay the ghosts,
and there was $500 remaining in the Hi
could raise any more.
Don't let that trouble you, my dear fell
low" said Van de We're. 81 have $500 on
hand, which I'll lend you, and my friend,
Professor Eugene, will let you have $500.
That will make up the $4,000, and you can
repay me when you get the thirteen mil
lion pounds sterling"
Professor Eugene wrote a check and
handed it to Professor Van de We're, who
went ont with it, and in a short time re-
turned with large quantity of 500 pieces.
When Bell looked at the pile of shining
gold, he saw that it was all right, and he
laid his $500, every dollar he had in the
world, beside it in the clairvoyant's grip.
sack.
This was to be sent to Hodson, and the
receipt was to be returned in due course of
time. Bell remained in the City for two
or three days waiting to receive some bor-
rowed money which he had written for.
and which was necessary to pay his rail-
road fare, and he then returned to the Sill
yer State.
After a sufficient number of days had
elapsed Bell received letter from Van de
We're, in which was inclosed a receipt, of
which the following is a copy:
CHICAGO March 96
Reed of Geo Bell $4,000 for professional
services to be rendered C.. NJ. HODsoN
Atty at Law
The purported receipt was on small
piece of letter-paper, torn from q writing
pad and just large enough to contain the
written matter. There was no letter head
nor address save "Chicago," and the street
and number of Attorney Hodson's office
were not given.
On learning the foregoing facts Major
Monroe, head of the Postoffice Inspectors
Department. and Herbert P. Thrall of the
same department laid the matter before
Captain Lees. The offense was not against
United States law, and therefore came
under the jurisdiction of the police. Cap
tain Lees advised Major Monroe to have
the Postmaster brought to this City with
out any delay, and Inspector ThraIl was
sent to get him. He returned yesterday
morning with Bell. and Captain Lees
made immediate arrangements for addi-
tional evidence to convict the accused