The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-02-12


HSOa l. airy and speculative fields
SA-1 of thought in preference
to the real and tangible. | am a physi-
clan, making a study of material bodies,
seeking material remedies for material
diseases. This, notwithstanding the
mental scientist, would have us believe
such theory and practice fallacious.
And yet, the story l have to tell must
have its explanation in those realms OF
psychic research toward which the
mind of the more progressive part OF
our civilized world is now turning.
remember the date distinctly. July
5, 1890, just after the festivities OF In
dependence day in our town, l came
home late from the Office, having had
an unusually harassing day in conse-
Quence of various street brawls and
scrimmages; which gave me a. number
Of cut and wounded humans to repair.
The house was .restfully quiet and the
lights were turned low AS | crossed
the hall to my room the telephone be-
hind me rang sharply. | turned around
rather impatiently, put the received to
my ear and gave the customary helloo.
In reply came ristinctly these words: "
"You. are wanted at, Wymore. Take
the first train in the morning,
WymOre was a station 80 miles dis
tant &,
"Who wants me?" | called back, feel
ing thankful that I need not go until
after / had rested. l got no response
and rang up the fellow at the exchange.
asking him from whom the call had
come
He could give no satisfaction. mo
can had been received from Wymore.
Wire not connected: in fact, no connec-
ton had been made with my wire at
that hour. -.
Supposing the wires had in some way
become crossed or entangled, and that
had received message intended for
some one else, I dismissed the subject
from my mind, retired and soon fell
asleep.
Suddenly was awakened by another
sharp ring at the telephone. Before l
- arisen I heard distinctly, as though
spoken aloud in the room; Doctor
Gaufman, you are wanted at Wymore.
Take the first train in the morning"
"All right" l called back, scarcely
realizing the strangeness of the sum-
mons and caring more to get my rest
undisturbed than to investigate the
source Of the summons. Then | slept
soundly until daylight, to awake at the
call of my housekeeper.
"a call, sir, at the phone for you to
go to Wynn ore on the first train," she
said.
did you take the name of the party
sending the message?" | asked.
Sure, sir. couldn't get it, for when
I asked him he had gone from the
phone" she replied.
Cali right" said. 81 shall find out
when 1 get there, probably" and, hasti-
ly dressing. partook of light break
fast and started for the train. An hour
later l stood on the platform at Wy
more looking expectantly for the per-
son who summoned me thither. Seeing
no one who could enlighten me,
sought the telephone Office.
did you send to l. for a doctor
last night?" I inquired.
The boy shook hiy head "Was no
one in here last night or this morning
early?"
mo sir, have been here all the
time" he responded
I was puzzled Perhaps some one had
been playing a practical joke upon me-
But no, no one would DO that 1t
would be too serious a matter, for I
had patients who needed my attention
at home I inquired the time of the
first train back to L., then walked
slowly up the road from the station.
Suddenly I felt breeze of cold air
strike my forehead ard was conscious
that an impelling force was turning my
face to the right cannot explain the
sensation, but it was sensibly powerful
looked up and before me was pretty
rural hotel called the Tanner house To
| this day | have never been able to &C
count for the strange and intangible in
| fluence which possessed my vOlitiOn
| turned my steps down the walk and up
| to the door of this house.
| rang the bell, called for room and
| then sat down and began to question
with myself. Why had I come to this
| place? Why especially to this house:
| | experienced a foreboding of evil
Reason with myself as I might, I felt
| this could not be the work Of chance
| | was, or should be, needed here.
| The thought grew upon me. At 2
o'clock l could go back to l.. At ]
| o'clock the train arrived from the
south, and with 1t new arrivals at the
Tanner house. 1 stood on the front
veranda, having just come out from the
dining hall, when they came A man
florid, middle-aged and taciturn; lady
young, pale and looking i'll, and fe-
male attendant who seemed to watch
over the lady with jealous care.
heard them inquire for their rooms and
| give certain orders to the clerk before
they passed from my sight, leaving me
with an odd and preternatural con-
sciousness AS surely as I knew Of my
own existence, l knew that in some
way I was to be associated with that
| party.
] The lady was too i'll to come down tC
| tea and her meals were served in hel
room The gentleman, who registered
as u. P Hodgeson, remained below, un-
social and gravely quiet. The hours
passed YEARLY until l retired to my
room. There lay restless and expec-
tant of know not what, but sleeI
was out of the question.
| At last I was startled by shriel
which broke the oppressive stiffness OF
the night, causing me to spring up alert
| uopo,p or [ adv-Which2