Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-03-02

evening when a number of persons
were there, so that both the house
and piazza were full. Some one from
the piazza, without the knowledge
of those in the house, who were talk
ing to it, went around on the outside
to see if they could discover any one,
when it instantly stopped. 1t has been
known to whistle most any tune,
either sacred or profane, which any
one would tell it.
MIR. and Mrs. Burnett appear to be
simple-hearted, upright and amiable
persons, serious in their dispositions,
and as far from encouraging any
trick about them to make sport as
any one. No one in the neighborhood,
who knows them, believes that they
know anything about the matter.
They have evidently been much dis
turbed and alarmed on account of
it, but having so far experienced no
harm from it, they have resolutely
maintained their ground. 1t manifests
great partiality for little daugh-
ter of the family, who is about eleven
wears of age. This so alarms her that
she generally gets sick whenever she
talks TO it, and she has been known
to quit the house precipitately, when
she heard it alone in the house. Not
long since, however, she quoted to it
passage of Scripture, which a
pious friend pointed out and advised
her to memorize for the purpose,
1 Tim. 1:15,) and it bade her hold
her jaw, but she persisted in quoting
the passage until it hushed, and has
not spoken to her since.
Since so many persons went to
hear it, it has become very shy and
is seldom heard when many persons
are about, or when any person is IN
the house except the smaller children.
They have never been able to ascer-
tain who, or what it is, or the object
of its visit. It has told its name re-
peatedly, but cannot be understood.
It will not answer any serious reli-
eious questions. When asked wheth-
er it was man or woman, it said
it was the foolishest question it ever
heard, and appeared to laugh.
The Rev. Mr.. Hodges visited the
family several times, at their re-
quest, without hearing anything.
However, on the 25th of May Mr.. H.
being in the neighborhood and call
ing at the house of Mr.. N; Mrs. N.
informed Mr.. Hodges, she had just
been to Mr.. Burnett's and heard the
l.voice-Mr. H. Immediately rode over
in company with Mr.. John Shepherd.
Mr.. S. went up to the house first, to
get the children in the house to talk
to it, and after it commenced, upon
signal given, Mr.. H. went up to the
house and seated himself on the piaz-
"a. A little boy eight or pine years
of age stood just inside of the door
to ask questions which were suggest
ed to him by the company. 1t imitat-
ed various noises in a whistle, such
as the Growing of cock, the cluck-
ing of hen, noise of partridge,
etc., and answered a variety of SIM
pie questions. There were but few
answers that Mr.. H. could under
stand, but were interpreted to him
by the family, who were accustomed
to hear it, he could then trace out
some resemblance. Some words, how
ever, were pronounced very plain,
such as kitten, yes, no, goose-quill,
etc. The family say, that it generally
spoke much more distinctly and could
be much better understood than on
this occasion. Mr.. Shepherd says the
same. 1t was understood, however,
to say it knew Mr.. H., pronounced
his name tolerably distinct, said it
got acquainted with him there, and
that it did not like him. When Mr.. ii.
spoke and said, 'I have not come to
drive you away" it was understood
to reply +'Do if you dare" During the
conversation with it, which lasted
about an hour, no person was present
except MIR. Burnett's wife, Mr. shep-
herd and Mr.. Hodges, with the srualL
children. The oldest was the little
girl above mentioned, who was in the
ward with the little children No one
was inside of the house except the Lit
IL L.-, x,,,o. acted the Questions. G@