The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-03-16
CHAPTER xIII-continued.

John. II the lights are turned out. how
are we 10 know that you did not writ
those messages y0urselfT'
Without a smile Oh his face Eartle,
replied: II did not intend To turn oul
the Hight. AIN going to do what few
mediums ever attempt 10 do: that is
to see If we can secure II message on
these states in full light. There have
been so many frauds In slate-wr,ting
seances thai test made In the dark
has no value"
AS he spoke no tore the wrapping
from the package and disclosed mum
her Of ordinary school states tied to-
getler with string. When he had
cut the string and placed the states
ON the table before him. he added:
you might claim that these states
already have message written on
ITEM so | will wash the surface of
each with water If there was any
writing on them. II Will be wiped out"
4 with our eyes following every move
ment. he took a piece of cloth. dipped
II into the glass of water. and care
fully washed one side OF slate. AS
he was beginning TO wash the other
side. he paused and said TO Currie.
You may think have not washed
the slate thoroughly enough suppose.
Currie. you take II and wash the
other side yourself. Make good job
of IT,"
Currie's earnestness was almost
turned II over and over. examining
both surfaces. When he had finished
he whispered to me. There was not
a darned thing on that slate"
The same method was employed
with the other states. First. BARLEY
would wash one side. then would call
upon one of us To examine the slate
and wash or the other side. | was
left until the last. and | examined
nay slate very carefully before
touched II with the cloth. On the side
which BARLEY had washed little drops
of water still chung. The unwasned
side was dirty but showed no traces
of having been written on.
When ! had finished my task. Bart
ley took one of the slates and said: !
"You have seen there was no writing
of any kind ON these states. am go
ing to give one to each of you. Miss
Potter should place hers under her
feet; Curiie might sit on his; the rest
of you can place them under your
coats"
He gave us each slate. and we
did as lie suggested. wondered. as
! placed mine under my coat. just
what BARLEY expected to discover.
Somehow tie whole thing seemed 80
absurd. He was so serious about II,
however, that ! began to believe that
he must expect 10 receive u message
of some sort. We sat silent and ex-
pecfant. |. for one. feeling little
foolish.
Barley. VITO had glanced at his
watch several times. waited for five
minutes 10 pass before he said Sup
pose. Currie. you look at your slate"
Currle ,.rInned. as If to say he con-
;idered II all foOllshness. but did as
AS he glanced al his slate.
lie smile left his face his jaw
lropped, and his eyes grew big with
> 'nder. He looked AT II several sec I
,nds as II he could not believe his !
yes. then slowly passed 1t TO me. |
Ook II eagerly. glanced MT II. and In q
ny turn was startled. There. how
yer. In spinwling hand. RUM ng a
cross the slate that had been blank r
few moments before. was written.
Currie people who steal whisky out Il
a vault AT midnight will come to
bad end r
Almost unable to credit my eyes, a
stared M the slate Both sides had r,
zen so thoroughly washed that when a
urrie had taken II they were still
81. How The writing had gotten 81
the slate. could not imagine.
Miss Potter gave a sudden cry. She OF
nj risen Ia her feet with shining II
es Holding her slate in one trem- "
ing hand. she tried to speak. failed. VI
en- cried triumphanfly: ITS n mes. 81
ge-a message from Mr.. Slyke, di
lew II would come and sank back IN
To her char adding. as If unable siI
believe the evidence of her own
ns,'s. "lt's In his own handwriting. nv
= very own. and he tells me what r.
do tn
BARLEY took rhe slate from her
ambling fingers. a curious expires 10
On on his face. He placed II on the iii
bile. ana w c-owgad round TO exam. ia
? II. This time the entire surface Sa
the slate was covered with writing do
the same srrawling hand that had by
'iften on Currie's and mine The
to- were large and looked as If In
? person who had written the mes gu
70 bad been very weak. Too aston 81,
ed TO speak. we bent and read:
All will he well with me II You aid in
,se who are trying 10 discover who VIII
ured me- For my peace. do this ba,
len tn tnc medium" and the mes
e trailei on In large 5. Of