Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-11-08

everything that is poetic, substituting
all that is practical. But in nature
nothing ends-it is simply trans6gur-
ed. And now those things which were
formerly called superstition are COM
ing up again in a new form. There
are societies for psychical research
whose members are investigating phe-
nomenal appearances, and people pos
sessing keen scientific minds are ac-
tive in the work.
After dinner on Halloween we all
sat chatting by the freight. l was
able to give the party u talk on Hal
loween customs that l had gathered
the party, Edith Damon. fair haired,
blue eyed girl of nineteen, listened to
the stories ] told with rapt atten-
ton. | fancied her one of the kind
that in the olden time would hold up
Il mirror with perfect confidence Of
seeing in 1t the face of one who was
to be her husband.
One person, / noticed, was observing
her as l was, Mrs. Crowell. During
the evening this woman arose from
her seat and sat down by the girl. 1t
seemed to me from that time that
Mrs. Crowell was exerting some influ-
ence over Miss Damon. / glanced at
the others In the circle to see IL they
observed anything unusual. but they
were all intent on the stories that
were being told, not one Of them pay
ing attention to anything else.
Before retiring we tossed apple
skins over our heads, looked into mir
rors and did other things usual on
Halloween. The girls all made COM
pact that in the morning If any OF
them during the night got glimpse
of the man she was to marry she
should tell all about 1t. | think some
OF them had dim fancy that some
thing might happen, but only the
youngest ones. | can myself remem-
Der when youth going to sleep with
piece Of wedding cake under my
pillow, fancying that | would really
dream of the girl / would one day
marry. We parted with raillery and
laughter and were some time quieting
down after we got into our rooms.
The next morning as we were as
sembling for breakfast there were
many questionings, some Of the party
using the Halloween that had just
passed as a means to tease one an
other about some supposed fancy for
mate. At the table the host asked
each one Of his guests in turn II he or
she had had vision during the night
Perhaps 1t was what had noticed In
Ethel Damon that led me to fix my
eyes upon her. She seemed stirred by
| some unusual emotion, which increas'
ed as her turn to reply to Greenleafs
question drew near. glanced al
Mrs. Crowell and noticed that she wal
intent upon Miss Damon
Just as ! was about TO withdraw
my glance from the former she looked
ut me There was a singular expires
sion In her eyes that ! could not faith
ON. But / interpreted 1t to mean tha
she knew / suspected her of exercis
ing an influence on Miss Damon.
Finally, when the host said, Ethel
did you see the man you would mar.
last nighty' the girl turned ros.
red and. covering her face with bot
hands, dropped her head on the table
All the circle were on the tiptoe o
expectation. Calls OF "Tell usr' "Ou
with itr' Confess Don't b
afraidr' were made to the poor CIR
who. after enduring the fusillade 70
few minutes, pushed back her chat
and ran out Of the room amid babe
Of shouts and laughter.
knew that something unusual ha