The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-27
SEERESS'S LESSONS
COST HIM $4,000
Editor Pratt Admits He Gave
Nine. Parma His Own, and
.Wife's Stock.
LIVED IN HER BUNGALOW
Learned From Her That
Thoughts Are Things, He
Testifies in Divorce Suit.

For priceless lessons" received from
Nine p. Mildred Parma and for bisi-
ness ventures with her, Albert Hough-
ton Pratt, formerly an editor OF the
Houghton Miffiin Company publishing
house. admitted yesterday to Supreme
Court Justice Davis at the trial Of the
suit for divorce brought against him
by Katherine Sloan Pratt that he had
turned over to Nine. Parma, between
November. 1915. and the latter part
OF 1917. his entire holdings In the
publishing concern, amounting to
more than $4,000. and in addition
gave the seeress 1880 realized on his
wife's holdings OF stocks and bonds.
The recipient Of these favors is named
as correspondent.
Mr.. Pratt identified numerous checks
ranging from 500 to $4,000 which
either he or Nine. Parma had drawn
at various times to make up the
amount mentioned. He also recog-
nized checks aggregating S163 admit
teddy spent upon her for theatrical
amusement between February and
May. 1917. He frankly stated that he
saw to 1t that Nine. Parma had fiow-
ers most Of the time"
Rent From Business Proceeds.
The rent for her apartments in the
Hotel Webster and later In 166 West
Seventy-second street was paid from
the proceeds OF the business in which
they were interested. 1T was an ex-
preston of gratitude to her for what
she was doing"
Questioned about his business rela-
tions with Nine. Parma, the witness
said that after endeavoring to sell
various art collections for her he be-
came interested in an option on an i'm
provement in an automobile. but this
did not pan out. Later he said he in
vested $4,000 or more with his al
legged partner in a medicinal bath"
manufactured by Nine. Meredith Of
London. He sold four Of these baths.
one for $4,000 and the rest for IS, 900
apiece. He invested $500 in It for
the use Of himself and family. His
profits from this venture he estimated
at $500.
Mr.. Pratt admitted that he went on
automobile tours with the seeress to
Tannersville. Boston, Albany and
Philadelphia. During their stops in
these cities he said they occupied
connecting rooms" in hotels.
ri no
and bonds he got from his wife. Pratt
explained that board manipulated by
Nine. Parma suggested that II Mrs.
Pratt wanted to help In that way she
could be Of assistance to them.
THE suggestion came" added the
witness, from father, who was never
so much alive in his life" 1.-THE elder
Pratt had been dead at that time for
several years.l
Asked II he would be surprised to
learn that he had not contributed to
the support OF his wife and child since
July, 1917. Mr.. Pratt replied: II don't
think anything would surprise me-"
Learned Thoughts Are Things.
In 1916 the defendant said he be-
came charmed" with Mime. Parma's
philosophy and a year later took up
his residence in her bungalow at At
lantic Highlands. There he said he
wrote the introduction TO her book,
my Tussle with the Devil by O.
Henry's Ghost" He also conducted a
page each month in the A=oth Mega
zine under the title "Torchbearer." He
has begun two scenarios intended to
illustrate the principles Of occul:
philosophy.
One OF the cardinal teachings OF the
latter as expounded by Nine. Parma,
he added, was that thoughts are things
II had never known this before" he
explained. "and 1t opened up a new
mental vista for me. The idea is that
every time you think you create some
thing definite and that it is, therefore.
exceedingly important TO guard zones
/ thoughts and think only things that
would create beauty and things that
are worth while"
To do this he thought that it is
necessary to develop character by
developing "a positiveness and cour-
age and worthliness in all ways"
Mrs. Pratt testified that shortly be-
part OF this year her husband brought
to her an alleged message from his
deceased father, which he told her had
been obtained, by Nine. Parma.
Her spirir Communication.
The communication from the other
world read:
June 2. 1918. Vital. X. is the tar
get OF whispering enemies who sap
her strength. Tell her to make plans
to go West February 1. She will in
that way more easily sever links.
my wisest thought is that she will
have her life saved by going. Tell her
to milk with gentleness, but as thor
oughly as possible the source OF her
life. 1t is wise to take into the basket
all birds in sight.
Imagination is changing the atti-
tude Of his mind. l think he will give
her all necessary TO make mo. What
she doesn't get some one else will.
my suggestion Is that I divide with
you, letting you rest in peace and har-
mony and enable you to demonstrate.
You can return to her doubled"
Mrs. Pratt SAID she thought the pair
wanted her TO work" her father, AL
fred E. Sloan, wealthy cigar manufac-
turer, for money and then drop him.
Capt. Herfuth Harry st. John, who
said he Is engaged IN hospital work at
Secaucus. n. j., told in a soft voice OF
acting as caterer In Nine. Parma's
House OF the BE Kind Association"
AZ her bninRalow I'm Atlantic IJiohland.