St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-08-21


slid it across the table to Kellar.
Taking it between thumb and finger
the magician slid it under the table
as before while the company again
stacked hands in the center. kellar
said that the hand part of the pro-
gram was condition imposed by
the spirits to perfect the magnetic
harmony and concentrate the atmos-
pheric thought currents which other
wise would seriously interfere with
the travel of the shades and make a
mobilization of any particular force
of spiritual intellect next to impossi-
Bile.
The magician presently drew forth
the slate, but again it was blank.
He murmured in chagrin and thrust
it back once more. Immediately the
scratching of slate pencil could
distinctly be heard, and in very
few moments three hollow raps
sounded. When Kelar brought forth
the slate it bore these words:
Dear friends: We are happy to be
able to send to you a message
through the mediumship of our dear
brother. Tell Andrew that we are
overjoyed in his faith that his loved
ones are guiding hi. every step. We
are powerful band and will not let
him go astray. He cannot feel us,
but we touch and embrace him every
day. If he could only penetrate the
thin veil there is between us he
would see John, Martha and Susan
standing over him. God bless you
ALL"
The old mans emotion upon re-
ceiving this message was very great.
He had not altogether expected that
the medium could corral his own
departed ones from the infinite spaces
of the universe. In a voice hoarse
with feeling he requested that this
question should be propounded:
Shall | mortgage the farm and
invest in the mining stocks 7"
Almost at once the slate was
brought back with this answer:
"Do so, by all means"
Transported by this proof of the
care and devotion of the spirits, the
old man leaned heavily against the
table. But at this moment vivid
flash of lightning filled the room,
binding the eyes with its white
shivering brilliancy and stunning the
company with astonishment. When
the illumination became normal
there were but three men at the
table. The medium had vanished.
All but one of the states were gone.
Upon this was written
"The flash of light which has just daz.
zled you will be the means of revealing
within twenty-four hours that what you
have seen and experienced here tonight is
not the work of spirits, but of a fellow
mortal. HARRY KELLAR."
At the door stood grave servant
who indicated the exit with one
calm gesture. The company arose
and CROPPED their way toward th'
street. The old man went first ant
after him his son. AS Kellar's frienc
was about to step across the thresh
old the form of the magician
; appeared, motioning to him from al
alcove, and then over coffee ant
cigars Kellar told the story of thu
, seance supply house, where he pur
,, chased collection of the differen
kinds OF states manufactured in tn
United States. These states b.
, placed in the room underneath tn
trap, first covering several of then
with writing in seven different Ian
guages, Then the preparations wer
> all complete with the exception of al
:. hours rehearsal with Barney, hi
=. chief assistant. The cues wer
= thoroughly understood between tn
g magician and his silent and coo
u headed accomplish The seance CON
-. menced. Kellar picked out a slat
!. which was an exact duplicate of on
n of those upon which he had writer
= This he holds under the table a
y described. Withdra wing it to see
y the spirits had written, he hastil
!, pushes it back with the remark tina
u the spirits were a trifle slow tina
\ evening. This is Barney's cue.
y Underneath, on temporary sea
:, fold, the counterfeit unbolts the tral
- thrusts upward an arm and GRASP
A the slate from his masters han(
"a Drawing it through the trap he pick
=, - out its duplicate from the collectio
y which has been prearranged, an
-. - deity, without a sound, places
~. under the fingers ready to receive i
70 Immediately the bogus mediul
~, ~ exhibited the slate written in strane
u languages as described. The pier
~ ing glow of mysterious light was
70 magnesium flash operated by tt
~ magcian's photographer hidde
. behind the curtains, who made a
~. exposure of the scene at the momer
% when Barney was passing up II
VI last slate. Kellar had all hant
= extended to the center of the tabl
10 not for the purpose Of centralizir
a. the magnetism but to draw all ey
~ over the table and prevent ar
~ possibility of Barney's arm beir
~ seen.
~ Within torty-eight hours after tn
~ affair photograph was in the o
49, mans possession. 1t was vel
- good portrait of Barney passing ,
ho a slate upon which was writ,