The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-06-04

0oHe seriously, accordDIS to the
view they took Of 4he su. .ect. No
one seemed to sa&e it very seriously,
however, except q few, who shook
their heads doubtfully, while others
laughed at them and joked about
spirits. Above the Babel-like noise
ordinations and snatches Of con-
versation could be heard, such as:
"Impossiblel" 'cWho mows2 Do
you !" "What viii you bet? ?" t'I am
no FOOL" II bet q hundred francs
ne can't prove itp' "Strange things
happen" etc.
The gambling element asserting
itself, bets ran high, and it was
finally agreed to deposit the stakes
in the hands of the incredulous
man, and then they called upon the
spiritualist with the weird look in
his eyes to make good his words.
He seemed strangely reluctant
and aighed and hesitated, but at
last ne made up his mind and said:
"f I comply with your request,
you must all submit to my condi-
tons. You must give me your
promise that no one will attempt to
intrude upon me or disturb me in
ary way and that I shall have one
witness with me-"
This was considered quite reason
able, and all consented readily.
II need not add that of course
you will hold yourselves bound in
honor to keep the conditions faith
fully. You, sir" he continued, fix
ing his basilisk eye on his oppo-
nent, who WINGED perceptibly, "shall
be that witness. You must accom-
pany me into the next room. The
doors shall be left open, and you
will have to describe aloud what
fever you may see. If the experience
turns out to be painful one, you
have only yourself to thank for it."
With these words he rose and
walked toward the corridor leading
to the inner part of the house and
beckoned to the other man, who, by
this time considerably subdued, hes
itated for a minute; but, putting on
the best face he could, ho took up a
lighted lamp from table and fol-
lowed him into the first room to
the right, leaving the doors wide
open.
AS they disappeared strange
hush fell over the noisy and excited
company. Silence reigned for some
time, until the twelve strokes of
midnight were heard sounding dis
family from church clock. Then
a voice arose in he next room, say
ing slowly and solemnly:
"Maurice Durand, thou who didst
promise that on the anniversary of
our cruel parting thou wouldst give
me the consolation of seeing thee
again if I called upon thee to ap-
pear, remember thy promisel Dear
friend, I entreat thee comel Mau-
rice, appear~ :
Then came pause, amid breath
less silence, but soon the voice was
heard again, saying:
"Maurice, remember thy vowi I
beseech thee, appear!"
Another silence. Then another
voice was heard, saying in tremu-
lous accents:
There is a faint light in the
darkest part of the room. It takes
a SHAPED 1t approaches! It is-ah.
AwayW
An unearthly shrek rent the air,
followed BY q crash and a heavy
fall, and then all was silence once
more.
The startled listeners looked at
each other with dismay. Some had
turned pale, while others looked i'll
at ease, but all felt uncertain, irres-
e!ate what to do. Some time elaps-
ed before it was suggested that they
ought to disregard their promise
and 60 in and see what had hap
pened, SO as to render assistance If
it were needed. A move was made
toward the room, but it was in .ct tai
darkness. A light was procured,
and this was what they found:
The %oola was empty, the lamp
was upset, the table overturned and
the window wide open - the two
men had gone and the stakes with
them.