The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-21
BLIND MANS LIGHT.

kNI6OTR6 u. ,
/ must say at the outset that do not
believe in the supernatural in any form.
Even in view of the weird experiences
herein TO be related, am still unable to
see that I should attribute mysterious
events to supernatural influence merely
because with that meager learning which
alone belongs to human beings, am un--
able to find satisfactory explanations for
them in natural law.
Whether this incredulity of mine is too
obstinate, as some will perhaps think, or
whether it is reasonable, each reader must
judge for himself, after having the facts
laid before him In recounting these facts
I shall be as scrupulously truthful in
every detail as if / were sworn witness
in court.
If any value attaches to my reputation
for veracity. pledge it all to the actu-
ality of the experiences I am about to re-
late.
1t was many years ago. 1t was "before
the war" was staying at Oaks, hos
pitable old Virginia plantation house,
where guests were accustomed to come
and go at will, and always with assurance
The house. at the time write of, was
even more than usually full, and the gay
came a letter to our hostess announcing
the almost immediate arrival of three or
A laughing discussion arose at once as
to the disposition to be made of them, and
We young men volunteered to MAKE room
by sending for our horses and taking our
departure. Our hostess put her veto up
on that proposal at once.
Young men," she said, 'tare the most
difficult of all commodities for the woman
who entertains to secure. Why, there are
two and three-quarters girls to one elgi-
I'm not going to let any of you young
men escape"
was one very large room-on the second
floor of the west wing-which had never
its Use Thereygpon dGeer little Glance
half of alarm and half of amusement,
After a little she said to her lord:
Why not tell him about it? He won't
Then, without waiting for an answer,
she, took me up to the room and there
ceiling cover over that side Of it Where the great
tW6 large eioseta The tnG room %as hung
with heavy .damask curtains with dainty
1t was simply but ponderously furnished
in the old style, its furnishings dating back
l am thus, particular about details. lest
I be accused of suppressing, any fact that
strange range events that so quickly followed:
out that am weakly creduious until you
and sneh ng5 more han You in
do, but know the story of this room and
sleep in it for a single night since I have
been mistress of the Oaks, or for many
years previous. Let me tell you the
The story she told me was interesting.
ep n is eagef onae TO bRnd an or
one nearly SO, had died in that room, and
him sign as his viii a document QUITE
other than the broadly generous one he
From that day to this" continued my
hostess, mo human being has been able to
as we have never talked about the matter,
the many who years ago tried to do so
can not possibly have had any suspicion to
excite their ina ginations Yet, one and
all, they had precisely the same mysteri-
Tell me all about it," I said. ''Do they
have struggles in their sleep with hobgob-
Inns born of your most excellent mince
Now. stopl am perfectly serious. No;
yet every one on, Of them mia. has run in panic
half gone. To all alike came this expert
ence: After sleeping for awhile they
but steadily increasing light, variously de-
Scribed as grayjSh yellow, or yellowish
6ut an cp and
until the luckleSS occupant of the room
Sas Canes the Bind mans the
light he needed when. for lack of sight,
know anything about all that. L only
know that nobody can sleep in that room"
foolish bravado. I little dreamed Of what
was to come: With your permission and
There were earnest remonstrances, but
1 went to the room about II O'Clock and
made thorough examination of the pos
ined every inch of the wainseot. I scru-
tinized every curtain. At the outset I
absolutely certain that no human agency
could disturb me, for had brought, arms
with and had given notice to all con-
cerned that 1 would use them instantly
and unhesitatingly against anyone who
additionaf security rtt' my fellow guests had
pledged Themselves as honorable gentle
nan a r9i inst a at
At the last moment before I went to the
room my nosI Degge1 l" dn 3 what
After my exploration Of the room I
tolls under the pillows put out the light
/ did. not expect to see any. ghostly man
ifestations, for my unfaith in all such
the s1biimest faith dh'i Itself o
the consciousness that 1 was daring al
element naturally caught from my fell
low guests. who were tremulous with ap-
Rans n hourwifh VIDE open eTeg and
with ears preternaturally sensitive to
Al last I fell asleep. listening to the
etVn IN Of The the Ver rain s wh1ch Tas falling
After awhile I suddenly awoke, and
The room was filled with that yellowish
gray light, though It seemed to me more
Hess outside, and I was alone with the
mystery.
do not wish to boast of more courage
than other men possess, but a least 1 re-
manned perfectly calm. 1 considered the
light and studied it. and was determined
not to yield to any superstitious fear of it.
For time deliberately remained in bed,
while the mysterious light continued stead
lily to increase. l Gained my mind by
rain. THAT at ate least S was natural and in
harmony with my conceptions of a law
ordered universe.
Finally, as the light continued to grow
stronger. I arose-I think may say with
out haste. Without hampton the light
seemed in itself sufficient made my
toilet.