The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-09-03
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have always maintained that there Is
no such thing as the supernatural 1
have found in my own experience that
every occurrence no matter how myster-
ious Il may appear at the time, can be
logically accounted for. If properly in
vestigated. True, in some cases, years
have elapsed before discovered the ac-
tual solution. but have never failed, in
the end, to do so.
There are certain sensations common to
the human race. ascribed by the super
etitIous to uncanny influences, which are
nothing but tricks, played upon the sys-
tenn by disordered nerves. This is even
noticeable In animals. A horse becomes
pan4c-stricken at piece Of flying paper
IN the abr, or sometimes at a perfectly
sttIl and silent object. such as a bowlder
in the road. These things may appear su-
pernaturai TO the horse but TO us who
know better they are undeniably of the
earth. earthly.
One OF the most extraordinary and
spectral illusions imaginable occurred
while was living in c.. Ny bedroom
was light and airy. a bay window occu-
paed the end in the side wall were two
them, the mantlepiece was opposite. over
which hung a lhe-sized water-colored
portrait OF my grandfather; 1t represent
ed him seated, reading q book. On a
beautiful afternoon about half past five
O'Clock happened to look out of the
window nearest the bed. 1 could not be-
lieve my senses. Sitting on the porch OF
the house opposite. in his familiar chair.
was my grandfather. reading. 1 called
the family quickly, and they all saw 1t,
clear, sharp. and distinct. In less than
FIVE minutes from the time 1 had first
seen it, 1t faded, melted away, and was
gone.
Ny grandfather was dead, and this was
the anniversary OF that event I could
not give any explanation Of the vision.
My family was much affected by It, and
the depressing weather which set in the
next day did not help their low spirits,
but as nothing occurred with time, this
wore away. and. though I never passed
the window without looking for 1t, did
not again see the phantom.
On the next anniversary a stretch of
bad weather prevailed, and evidently the
old gentleman did not consider the porch
circumstances. He did not appear. was
patient, and when the 9th of April came
around again I sat at my post and on
the lookout. Sure enough, dimly at first,
there gathered out of nothing the fami-
liar form Of my grandfather, seated on
the porch opposite. For a minute the
specter was very brilliant, then faded
away as before. and so quickly that 7
had no time to investigate the surround
angs. The following afternoon It appeared
again, one minute later than on the pre-
vious day, but did not remain so long
1 now became convinced that ii had
some connection with the picture on nv
wall, because the attitude was the same.
yet there was no window opposite the
picture. took It down the next morning,
with the aid of a step-ladder, and re-
placed 1t with a water-colored one of
Landseer's famous dogs. With the var
iation Of a minute tho dog appeared, ly-
ing on the porch opposite.
Thus. after years of fruitless search,
had discovered that nthe sth 10Th and
18th of April. the suns rays struck the
side bay window. were reflected across
from the bookcase door to the glass Of
my grandfather's picture, and thrown
from there through another side window
onto the porch across the street. In
three days time the sun could no longer
strike the proper angle to produce the
effect, and so, with bad weather. the
solving Of this mystery had been delayed
for years.
At another time. while in the country.
had a halr-Hfting and most disagreeable
experience. had gone ahead OF the
family. whom I expected next day. to
open our summer residence. The wealth
er was murky and thick fog had risen
from the low lands and settled in the
valley. When I retired to my room, I
was especially struck by the Stagnant at
mosphere, for although the window was
wide open one had the sensation OF being
shut in a confined space. almost TO the
point Of suffocation. Therefore, did not
look upon the old-fashioned, canopied
bedstead with approval. but threw my
self down on the lounge, which was
placed against the high rosewood foot
board.
It was we'll after midnight when was
awakened in great fright, but by what
| did not know. Silence was everywhere
I lay on my back broad awake, with
every nerve tingling. Suddenly, 1 heard
a smothered voice. within six inches OF
my face, and right on the lounge with
me, call me by name, twice, and In an
agonizing tone. cry:
''Oh. help me, help me. I am dyingr'
sprang up and made q light, but the
room was empty. the bed untouched. and
no tangible presence about. While was
41,re
groan rose up from the very spot where
had been sleeping. 1 deliberately lay
down upon the lounge. I felt my hair
stir and the cold sweat started from
every pore Of my body. but had perfect
possession OF my will-power. and deter
mined not to let fear get the upper hand
Distinctly head the labored breathing
Of some enc in distress, right alongside OF
me. =
"Oh. can't you help me?' This. close
10 my ear. There were one or two sob
oing signs, then silence. could In no
way account for this uncanny visitation.
knew there was no other living person
In the house. Presently a cock grew. n
dog barked. and a. last dawn came with
the twittering birds.
That day while AZ the village drug
store. 1 heard Farmer Jones ask the
clerk to give him something for his wife:
she was very I'll and had cried all night
for him to help her. Instantly I knew
that II was this poor wornan's voice
which, had reached me. Their place was
just across the meadow about half a
mile from my house. Her husbands
Christian name and mine were the same.
I questioned him closely and saurd that
she had rarea4a5 +ba yv,-,3s .y-,,.--. - =