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The Spirit Photograph

The Spirit Photograph image
Parent Issue
Day
29
Month
March
Year
1878
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

It was the evening of a disagreeable day. Bain and snow mingled together ; but the very dreariness of the weather prompted me to cali upon the Dudleys, who were suffering a most melancholy bereavement. The servaot admitted me ■without announcement as I was the confldential f riend of the family. Miss Dndley was sitting in a chair with her head bowed over lier arm, and when she raised her face to greet me I saw she had been weeping. Dudley was walking np and down, back and i'orth, with slow, dragging steps, his head sunk on his breast. I eat down beside Caroline, taking her hand in mine, for we were engaged to be married when the year of mourning had expired. " This weather is enough to depress even the happy," I said, "but I wish that I had found you more cheerful. Do you not think that yon ought to overeóme, so far as possible, this trouble for Dudley 's sake ? It is killing him.' " I know it, and that is what gives me so much pain. Of course my grief is nothing compared to his. But it breaks my heart to see him so changed. I fear that if he does not die outright a worse calamity will happen. Sometimes ! fear for his mind. Tho disaster whioh had brought such irremediable ruin upon the house of Dudley was the loss of bis wife. Her youth, her beauty, her devotion to him, and the tragic manner of her death, made it apparent to all why his sorrow should be deeper than that of many others similarly bereaved. To me, who knew something of the character of both and of the intense love which seemed to blend their beings into one, it was almost a marvel that he survived her at all. When I had seen them together in the freedom of their own home the thought had more than once occurred to me that the existence of each was dependent apon that of the other. Yet she had perished suddenly - been swept from hinx by a swift and terrible catastropho, which had hardly allowed them a parting embrace. In the autumn of 1862 Dudley had been called to Havana upon business. His wife persuaded him to permit her to accompany him. How well I remember that splendid autumn day upon which they sailed I Caroline andmyself stayed with them on the vessel UDtil the last moment. How beautiful Mrs. Dudley looked as she waved her handkerchief to us from the deck, the bright color lightingupher always eloquent face into the loveliest animation ! We had watched the noble vessel until it was a speek out in the Narrows; tlien we had turned away with a sigh, half sad and yet not sad. We had no presentiment of evil, and when her brother and wife returned Caroline and I were to be married. That vessel was fated never to touch the Cuban shores. When but twelve hours from Havana, at midnight, in the midet of darkness and storm, she was run into by another ship, and sank in fifty minutes. Thrown from his berth by the severity of the collision, Dudley seized his trembling wife under his arm, forcing his way through the disordered crowd from the cabins, already filling with water, to the upper deck. Here he maintained his place while the men and officers made efforts to launoh the boats. The first of these fllled and went down. The second was more successfully managed. A few women, to whom was given the first chance, were lowered into it by the liftht of lanterns, whose uncertain ?leam made the tempest more appalling. Mrs. Dudley clung to her husband, segging to be allowed to stay with him until he, too, should be'permitted to make the desperate effort at salvation. Bnt f or once her prayers had no influence with him. His desire for her safety overruled the pleadings of love. With almost rudeness he tore away her clinging arms, the rope was fastened about her waist and she was lowered down. The lantern threw a strange beam upon her pallid face, turned to him as Bhe swung off from the ship's side, and that was the last look he had of the countenance dearest to him. The few men away from t1ieilVbrLeL"wïfïcntlieivesiiel would make in sinking; a great wave rolled in upon ït, and the cry went f orth that the boat had gone down. Then Dudley, caring no more for his own life, jumped into the boiling sea. But the crew of the uninjured vessel picked him up bef ore life was extinct, and he recovered consciousness to find himself in the cabin of the other ship. Until long after daylight the vessel lingered around the spot, until all hopes of rescuing any floating persons who might be clinging to pieces of the wreek were over. Then it continued on its way to New York. Over four months had elapsed, during whioh a ray of light had hardly penetrated Dudley's despair. His sister shared his darkened life, deferring our marriage, and withdrawing from society to devote herself to him. I was almost the only one outside of their near circle of relatives whom they cared to see. At times Dudley would be possessed of a strange f ancy that his wife might not be dead- that she might have escaped - be now in some remóte portion of the world whither some passing bark had conveyed her. Facts and theories were against him. The boat which they ïad seen overwhelmed with the waves ïad never been heard from. Another ont, whieh had put out last, had succeeded in landing upon an island coast af ter three daysof floating on the waste of waters, but, in all human probability, ,he first boat had gone down within flve minutes after she left the ship's side. Sometimes Dudley would work himself into an alarming state of excitement, avowing his belief that his wife was alive. His only argument was that if she were dead she certainly would vouchsafe him some token to put his mind at rest. This evening I feit light-hearted and joyous, despite the sad faces of my friends. Mj spirits had risen triumphant over the weather, over the gloom induced by sympathy with others, even over the impatience I sometimes feit at the longdelayed consnmmation of my wishes. I am sure that my face shone with pleasure, for I had that day received a letter containing news of an access of fortune, which had exhilarated me beyond the power of my ordinary troubles to subdue. Suddenly Dudley stopped in front of us, his eyes looking larger and darker than ever from the sunken lines about them, and fixed upon me witli an intensity almost unbearable. "Is it not stransre," said he, "that all this time- all this time - she has sent me no message ?" I was surprised as well as startled by this question. Despite his theory that if she were Jead she would comfort him by some special message, I had not realized that he was really seeking eonsolation in looking for some palpable tok en from the spiritual world. It was too much opposed to his previous habits of thought. " What have you expected ?" was all ] could for the moment say. "Anything to prove that she is still mine, in death as well as life." It was just then an idea flashed upon me which I hoped would aave him from the madness which at times I apprehended might destroy his brain, noble and massive as its structure was. I rehearsed the details of my plan to Caroline, at the same time impaiting to her the piece of good fortune which had occurred to me. For this purpose I drew her away into the library, where, in brief time, I unfolded my ideas and expectations. When we returned to the parlor she took her brother's arm, walking up and down the rooms with him. " Have you seen any of those spirit photographs, brother ?" " What are they ?" He oeased walking, lookiug inqniringly at her. "There are photographs nowadays whieh fix the shadows of souls as well as bodies - so they say ! The spirit of the deceased friend wished for appears beside the picture of the sitter, faint and shadowy, as becomes a spirit, but still quite palpable." " You smile, Caroline ; 'are you jesting?" " No, I am only relating the last marvel of Spiritualism. " "What do you thinkof it?" directing his question to me. "It'srather a new thing, even with the Spiritualists themselves. I have nol made up my mind about it. In faet I have never inquired muoh iuto the phenomena. But when you spoko so earnestly of having expected a message from Eleanora it occurred to me that it could hardly eome in a more acccptable or more convincing shape than this. " " To-morrow we will make the experiment ; if there is any such thing possible I know that Eleanora wül oome to me. I sliall be permitted to see her. If she does not come I shall know she is still alive." It was decided that we should go at 2 o'clook the next day to the photographer I had selected. "When we entered the gallery we becamo conscious of a peculiar influenoe permeating our very souls. As a person in the dark, in total silenee and seeing nothing, yet perceives the presenee of another who approaches liim, so each of us perceived an intangible something which thiilled us bayond speech. But few words were spokeD. Tho business-likemannerof the operator was in curious contrast to the intense emotions of those who hung upon his movements. In answer to Dudley's question he said that the day was excellent for his purpose. He arranged his plates, screens and camera with a matter-of-fact air, as if he were not about to attempt to cateli and fix the fleeting shadow of the immortal soul divested of its garments of earth. It struck me as being a strange mixture of the material and spiritual - this preparation of chemicals, this assistance of the ethereal light, itself the nearept to spirit of tangible substances, this arrangement of screens and burnishing of glass; by such palpable apparatns to seize the imaee of the immortal soul and retain it for the gaze of mortal eyes. I presume no such reflections had place in the mind of Dudley. Soul, thought and sense were concentrated upon one object. Obedient as a child, he submitted himself to the directions of the operator. When all was ready he seated himself in the chair placed for the purpose. Standing at odo side of the room, before the door of a smaller apartment used as a dressing-room for ladies, was a large screen. Caroline had gone into this apartment for a few moments when we first arrived, but she now stood by my side, silently waiting for the finale. I knew by her irregular breathing and slight paleness that she was much agitated. The screen was drawn forward a few feet toward the sitter, and another placed to throw out the back-ground. By the arrangement thus effected the subject was half inclosed in an improvised apartment whioh shut out a great Theoperator then gave him a few directions: "Fixyour eyes and your mind both upon the camera. I will not withdraw the cap until I discern from your expression that your attention is suffioiently concentrated. Only of one thing be sure, whatever yon may foei or become conscious of, as you value the result to be obtained, do not betray any emotion. I Remain motionless and silent until I give you liberty to move and speak. Above all, do not turn to see that which you feel approaehing you. Many persons become so agitated in the moment of trial as to render futile their own wishes. I believe you kave more flrmness." Dudley made a deep response, to the effect that he should fulfill nis part. He fixed his eyes upon the camera with a steady gaze. Once or twice his eyelids trembled, and his hands clutohed each other with the effort at restraint which ie made. Presently the cap was taken off, and after a moment, which might have jeen years to him- was replaced. Mindul of his promise, he did not speak or urn his head until lie was requested to eave his chair. During the time of waiting for the photograph to be orought out on the giass he moved restlessly about. "Itisthe best I have ever t.iken," said the operator, as he placed the Ejlass carefuïly in Dudley's outstretched hand. We crowded close to look over his shoulder. The marvel had been wrought ! There was he with his keen, eager look, and there, a littte to one side and just bohind him, a part oí her figure hidden by him, was Eleanora. She seemed almoet to float, so light was her poise as she bent over his shoulder. Her golden hair, for which she had been so admired in life, wandered about her throat and shoulders as if the breezes of heaven were at that instant stirring them. She appeared to be robed in some ethereal garb, clasped by a girdle at the waist and flowing in full folds about her limbs. It was Eleanora, the fair young wife, as we all remembered her. SUe wore a joyful expression, as if it was an intense pleasure to be near her husband ; but it seemed to me that the sweet face had a slightly thinner, maturer look, as if she, too, had suffered from having boen torn so suddenly from her earthly home. The photographer was uneRsy lest Dudley in his ecstasy should press the plate to his lips and mar the impresaion. He took it gently from him, remarking : "This is altogether the best spirit photograph I have ever taken. It is miraculous 1 Mrs. Dudley's likeness is as vivid and perfect as your own." "And she was here," cried Dudley, " as really and truly as I am or as you are ! Oh, what happiness is this, to feel that our loved ones are soparated from lis by so slight a barrier. I tel] you I heard the ruetle of her garment as distinctly as if in life she were coming once more to bless me with her touch and smile. I detected the very odor of violets, the perfume she always used. Yes, as true as God vouchsafedme this token, I feit her breath on ïny cheek." At this moment his glance became flxed upon the opposite side of the room. He gazed a moment in silence, then resumed in a rapt tone, like ono who speaks in a visión, " I do see her ! she is there nowl I behold her plainly. Eleanora! She dóubts - she hesitates ! Do not go - stay with me!" We looked, and beheld with our own eyes the truth of what he asserted. As distinctly as evcr we beheld a friend in the broad light of day, there stood Mrs. Dudley, wavering between flying and approaching. Her hair streamed down as in the picture, her light garments waved about her. He held out his arms and took a step toward her, pausing lest the visión should vanish at too near an approach. " Eleanora !" The passion in his voice seemed mighty enough to withhold a spirit from its heavenly destinies. He took another step, and she, too, wavering yet, oamc forward to meet Lim. He feared to lay his mortal hand upon her, but love was more powerful than awe. The tranca was still upon him, but it was broken whcn he stretehed out his hand and touched her hair. "Ah! what blessed answor te wy prayer is this, my wife !" He had turned toward us, then back to lier. "I see her; she comes to me; she smiles ; she blushes ; I feel her hair ; she is weeping ; she is warm ; she is living !" Tor an instant I feit a breathless suspense ; but joy never kills the strong, and Dudley was strong. This was the good fortune which had so exalted me the previous day; I had received a letter f rom Boston, from Mrs. Dudley, giving me an account of her escape in an open boat ; the days of her exposure, a long and woarisome voyage in a sailing vessel which picked up the boat's crew and carried them about until it landed them in Boston ; and she had written to me, as Dudley's most intimate friend, to ascertain if he were alive, and, if so, to break to him the news of her safety. Poor thing ! during all these months of hardship she had been compelled to endure the uncertainty as to her husband's fate. I had inunediately telegraphed to her that Dudley was alive and at home ; that she must come on by the next tram ; that I would receive her at the depot, and in the meantime preparo Dudley for the news. When I had gone to his house the previous evening I had been troubled how to communicate my joyful tidings. I was afraid the greatness of the change from despair to such bliss as this would shake the reason which seemed already ou the verge of madness. The chance mention of the photograph suggested the idea to me of gradually preparing his mind, in the manner which I carried out, for the final consummation of his happiness. 1 introduced my plan to Caroline, who approved of it. At the most it would only be keeping him from his wife an hour or two longer. Caroline herself brought the dress already perfumed with violets, which had once been a favorito dress of Eleanora, but had long lain among the precious relies of the supposed dead. The privacy of the dressing-room gave the two women an opportunity to arrange the scenic effects. Probably it was as hard "or Eleanora to restrain herself as for Dudley, when, as he said truly, he tieard the rustle of her garments and feit the living warmth of her breath upon his cheek. All necessity for further restraint was now over happily; the young wife lay sobbing upon the bosom whose every :hrob had been so constant to her. Caroline was in tears, and I am not ashamed ;o confess that my own eyes were not as olear as usual. Easter Monday is looked upon as a grand holiday by the peasantry in many parts of Germany. Weddings are ofte a deferred to this day, and many village parnés are reserved for this season. The lads and lassies all appear in their gala costumes ; the girls with short, dark skirts, braided with gold or silver, snowy aprons and full, white sleeves, brightcolored bodices and" odd little caps; the boys with knee-breeches, white stookings, low shoes, and scarlet or yellow vests, the solid gold or silver buttons on which are often their whole inheritance. But, when they are dancing gayly together on the green, they look a good deal happier than if they were little kings and queens. Games vary in different villages, throughout the country, but one example will give some idea of what they are like. ïwo of the leading young men of the place take entire charge of the day's amusements, sclecting for the purpose Wirthschaft, to which is attached a large garden or meadow. For several preceding evenings, when work is over, they go about from house to house, dressed in their best, and carrying large baskets on their arms. Everywhero they are kindly received, and bread with wine or eider is placed before them. While they eat and drink, the baskets are quietly slipped away by some member of the f amily. a generous donation of eggs is placed within them, and they are secretly returned to their places. The eggs are net asked for, neither are they alluded to in any way; but the object of the visit is well understood and prepared for long bef orehand. When Monday morning dawns, the inn is found to be gayly decorated with garlands of green and flowers, and fluttering ribbons of many colora. The tree nearest the house is ornamented in like manner, and on it the prizo to be contended for conspicuously hang 3. On the smooth grass hard by, a strip, a few feet wide and perhaps a hundred long, has been roped in, and, at either end of this narrow plot, a large, shallow, roundbottomed basket, called Wanne, is placed, one filled with chaff and the Dther with eggs, dozens upon dozens, jooked and raw, white and colored. The plan of the peculiar game which 'ollows is that one player is pitted to run i given distance, while another safely ihrows the eggs from one baRket to the ïther, he who first completes his task beug, of course, the winner. According[y, when the young mea and maidens aave arrived, two leaders draw lots to letermine who shall run and who shall throw. That deoided, the contestants are gayly decked with ribbons, a band ítrikes up a lively air, a capering clown oleara the way, and the game begins. He who throws takes the eggs, and one after another swiftly hurls them the length of the course, and into the ohaffftlled basket, which is held in the hands of an assistant. Oocasionally he makes a diverson by pitching a hard one to be scrambled for by the crowds of children who have assembled to see the sport. Meautime (while wagers are laid as to who will likely win) the other contestant speeds the distance of a mile or two to an appointed goal, marks it as a proof of his'having touched it, and, if he succeeds in returning before all the eggs are thrown, the victory and the prizeare his, otherwise they belong to his opponent. The game flnished, the prize is presented to the victor witli due ceremony, and amid the cheers of the crowd; the hard eggs are distributed among the company, and the raw ones carried uproariously into the neighboring inn, there to be cooked in various ways and eaten. The remainder of the day is spent in dancing and merry-making, and if a wedding can possibly be arranged to take place on that afternoon the fun is wilder than ever. - F. E. Come, in Kt. Nichalasfor April. A PBMALB servant in Dublin has been senteneed to fourteen days' imprisonment for pushing lier mistress out of the kitclien, and calling her a " kitchen walloper. "

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus