MESSAGES FROM THE SPIRITS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3093, 27 May 1881, Page 4

MESSAGES FROM THE SPIRITS.

Talking about spirit rapping, old Judge Peters, of Van Ness avenue, was roped in by a lot of long-haired spiritualistic frauds about two months ago, and ever since has been putting in eight evenings a weak attending the seances of one of the 'mediurnistic circle' that are just now devastating this unfortunate settlement. Through the agency of this cheerful industry the judge has ' communed' with about every authentic member of his ancestry at the very reasonable average rate of, say, 10 cents a rap. In fact, nothing but - the circumstance of Peters' lineage not being clearly defined further back than the judge's great grandfather prevented that amiable old jurist from being started on the road to the alms house weeks ago. The other day the judge dined with his old bachelor friend Colonel Zugg, and became very angry at the flippant manner in which the colonel spoke of the sacred subject of spirit manifestations. 'I tell you the whole business is a fraud of the meanest description, and only calculated to deceive the minds of children and fools,' said the colonel, upsetting a wine glass in his earnestness.

' Oil, it's all very easy to sit here and talk that way,' retorted the judge, much aggravated, ' but just come with mo some evening round to Professor Frowzihead's circle and investigate the thing for yourself. If you ain't convinced I'll swallow my own '

'Now, look here, old man, , said the colonel, banging the table till the plates rattled, ' if what you call spirits of departed statesmen aud men of genius come back to earth to say the silly, commonplace, idiotic things these mediumns dish out, why, all Ive got to say is ' 'Don't talk that way, Colonel,' interrupted the Judge, severely. 'Only last evening I had a communication from Mrs Peters. She said she was perfectly happy, and wanted to be remembered to you. She said she would always hover over and protect me.'

'Did, eh?'sneered the colonel, handing a macaroon to the black and tan. ' I 'spose now, you really imagine that she's in this Tery room ?'

' Certainly,' said the judge, dropping his voice. 'I am perfectly sure that—' and then lie suddenly stopped with a start, while both of tho old cronies' jaws dropped, and their eyes seemed about to pop out of their heads, for as the judge spoke two dis-

tinot affirmativo raps came from the table before them. There was not another soul in the room. Even tho servant had placed tho coffee and retired. But there was no mistaking the raps. ' There—there's Maria now !' murmured the judge, nervously clutching tho colonel's arm ; ain't that you 'Ria ?' The raps were repeated. ' Does seem cr —cr —little singular—as it were,' said the colonel, after a close examination of the table. 'Ask —ahem —ask it another question, judge.' ' I—had no idea I was a —er medium,' said the judge somewhat scared. I—ahem —'Do you wish to converse with me, 'Ria?' Two raps. ' Are you happy in spirit land ?' One rap. ' Can I do anything for you ?' live raps. ' Do you want your grave fixed up ?' One rap. 'Do you want me to stop going to see— ahem—see a certain person ?' Lots of raps. ' There ! didn't I tell you,' whispered the judge to the colonel. 'There wasn't another soul knew about my visiting Widow Gunderson but yourself.' Four raps. ' What do you mean by that, 'Ria ?' Eleven raps. 'Calm yourself, 'Fia—calm yourself. If you're so jealous I won't see the widow any more ?' Two raps. ' Honor bright, there now, colonel,' said the judge, triumphantly. ' What do you think of that!' ' Why, I think,' said the colonel, who had been peering underneath the table for a few moments, ' that of all - the blasted fools I ever struck, you take the medal. Your wonderful raps are produced by this terrier, who has been wagging his tail against the table leg for the past five minutes.' And the crushed communer with departed spirits kicked the dog out of the room and went home in a rage.