Jf - - -, t -v ' - I - J 1 - - .- ' ' " , - "J& TH PITTSBURG DISPATCH. SUNDAY, 'APRIL 19, 1891. is y -: II REV IETO0RTS, Preparations for the Opening of tho League Baseball Season Hext Wednesday. TDK YARIODS TEAMS COMPARED. Frespects of a Little Eetweeu Bob Fid- sinsiocs and Ed Smitb, of DenTer, for a Bij Tnne. AMATECKS AXD PROFESSIONALS. Cpaicn -teat l& JttUon irSjCcrbett FigU ud Otttr Ictteg Tcyics. Before snolhsrSundar comes and ocs the baseball season of 1891 will haTe com menced; of course, I mean the League championship season. Eyervbody inter ested in the came is getting ready in some way for the opening day. Speculation as to results lias already begun, and the con jectures are quite numerous and conflicting. 1 believe that there is a greater diversity of opinion regardingPittsburg'steam than con cerning any other. On one point everybody recms to bo agreed, viz., that onr team is a good one, bnt it is as to the meaning of the word "good" that so many diner. In the estimation of a very large number of Puts burg patrons of the game the local team is "good" enough to beat anything, while other people think our players a good lot hut not good enough to win the pennant. Well, at this juncture I am not going to commit myself to any definite opinion in the matter except by t-ay.ng our team occht to be good enough to hold their o n against any other team. Tho uore wo examine tho local aggregation the more will c nna that each member of it is a vcrr gbod player; in fact a first-class plajcr. It is a fact that doubtless prompts tl.e opinion all round to tho effect that we haie a hotter toain this jcar than wo evcrhsd. Hut it remains to bo seen whether or not onr placers can be lirst class as a team. I trust they will turn out to be such, because if they dot.'t, baseball will rcceivo a very dam sgiiig black eje in Pittsburg. The team ought to bo almost always in the first three, although the other League teams arc stronger than ever they were. I think there is no doubt on this point, and it is this feature that makes the ap proaching contest such an interesting and un certain one. For instance, Cleveland isa much stronger team than it ever was. and I am in clined to think that the team of that city will play a. very surprising part in the struggle. Thcre ever has been a good scnplyofgnt and tenacity m those Cleveland people as far as baseball is concerned, and the people who take the Clevlanders for marks will likely be disapno.nted. I am aware that Manager Han Ion thinks that his team will defeat the Cleve land team at least 7 out of every 10 games. This result may be accomplished, but I do not look for it. Our team ought to also defeat Chicago, although the latter is always ono of the best stayers in the race. Hackers of Anson's team have always one of the best triers" that ran be seen. Anson fights every inch of the wav. and he never gives up until the wire is passed. Bat on paper the Chicago team is not by any means the equal of Pittsburg. Nor is Cincinnati and this leads ns to the conclusion that Pituburg is the best of the Western divis ion. The Eastern Teams. New York is without doubt the best of the Eastern teams; that is, it is the best on paper. I am quite mindful of the fad that some very good authorities have much to say in favor of Brooklyn; bnt for the life of me I cannot see where there is anything wonderful about that team. True, John 11. Ward has been added to it. and he is a very great addition, but even with Ward the team cannot man for man be favorably compared with the New York team. Boston is a better team than Brookln; at least I expect to see this statement verified by OFFERS GOODS THAT SELL ON SIGHT. The assortment is so comprehensive, the designs are so elegant, the quality is so reliable, the prices are so moderate, that you are a willing as well as pleased pur chaser. Our stock embraces all and everything in the Household line, and prices and stock will suit the pocketbooks of both rich and poor. Terms to suit. Credit and Easy Payments, or Cash. A stock to select from that is unsurpassed. Keech's stock embraces every variety of Axminster, Wiltons, Lfoquettes, Brussels, Tapestries and Jngrains in the newest and mest attractive patterns at the most moderate prices. We guarantee our goods. We buy from the best manufacturers, and we buy largely, so you get the benefit of close prices. Our selection is calculated to please the most exacting taste. OUR PRICES ALWAYS LOWEST, pfHi E JH E M kir a-L-i E mi ii-i i nuiaaiA- tbj ? events. And now comes Philadelphia. There is the most uncertain team in the lot. Jndging from appearances. Philadelphia has not any thing liko a first-class team; but it is worthy of remark that in baseball the uncertain iuvari ably turns up. We can all remember the won dcrtul performance of the Cleveland team in the early part of tin season tw o years ago. It may be that Philadclnhia has a similar surprise in store, but I don't think it very likely. Veil, then, it is easy to understand tbat I rank New York as the best team in the East and Pittsburg the best in the West, and to reduce the question to its narrowest limit I don't host tato to say tbat New York is better than Pitts burg. I trust these opinions will suffice, and I have expressed them simply because of the numerous reaucsts made to me during the Tast week or so. It may be that my entire calcula tions will bo upset, bnt what I am arguing at present is entirely based on "paper" worth of each team. When they all get settled to the contest the complexion of each may be en tirely changed. Some Very Good Prospects. Whatever may have been the opinions of the patrons of the game regarding the public in terest in it I think there is only one opinion to which wo can come at present and that it that tho gams is as much in popnlar favor to-day as it ever was. All the bickerings and squab blings of the past aro almost all forgotten already, and just as soon as the excitement of a close contest comes there will be no recollec tion of past unpleasantness at alL This augurs well for the luture and I trust that the best hones will be realized. The orospcets locally are verr good, but of course the results may turn out to be very bad. The Pittsburg Club has much at stake this j ear: indeed, it has more than it ever had. I am told that the estimated ex penses of the club for tho year is abont SSO.OOO and tnat the salary list is about $50,000. These are enormous figures and certainly considera ble nerve is needed on the part of the club directors to take such a contract on band. And this reminds me of the shout that was sent up not long ago to tho effect that players' salaries wonld all bo cut down. Why, just as I argued then I argue now, vis That good players will ahv.ajs be able to command good salaries. This may be a littlo divergence, but I mention it merely as a reminder. Well, what I was going to say is that tso.uu) win take a deal of bustling for, and if tho loc.il club earns tbat amount of money it will bo doing very well indeed. If the team turns out to be as good as we expect them no doubt expenses will be more than cleared, but if they do not fulfill expecta tions I have a notion that the name of League ball playing m Pituburg will, to a very great extent, be Dennis. Air. Ximick's Resignation. I cannot dispense with local baseball matters without referring to tho resignation of W. A. Nimick from active baseball affairs. Mr. Nimick has so long been identified with local baseball matters that it is difficult to think of a club with which be has nothing to do. He has bad eight or nine years of very active work in Pittsburg, and his career has not only been a busy one, but also a very honorable one. He has with the club, gone through some very dark times and over some pretty rocky roads, bnt as far as I know he has always filled all ob ligations. He is succeeded by Mr. A. K. bcandrett; tbat is. Mr. Scandrett has been elected to fill iir. Nimick's place on the Board of Directors. I don't think that a better selec tion could be made, because Mr. Scandrett is not only one ot the most enthusiastic workers, but his know ledge of baseball affairs is very great, indeed. He has. I understand, been given an interest in the club, and doubtless he will prove tbat he is worth it. Mr. Spalding's Opinion. Liko many others I heard with extreme re gret of Mr. Spalding's retirement from active baseball work. It Is needless for me to say that he has been a very remarKable man, and has done more for baseball than any other two men in the world. In announcing bis resolve to re tire he made some exceedingly interesting re marks. They should be carefully noted bv every patron and admirer of out-door sp rt. I now reprint the following portion of them: "I have been connected with the National League since its organization in 1S7S, and dur ing tbat time no doubt have made many mis takes in recommending and urging matters in connection with its legislation, my motives often misconstrued, and my action frequently misrepresented, yet I now retire with the con sciousness that I have always tried to do that which I believed to be for the best interests, advancement, and elevation of professional baseball. In my efforts in this direction my thoughts have been, first, the national 'game, then the National League, then my club, and lastly, my personal interests, and If I was to make any suggestion to those wh may become interested with the management of our na tional sport, I w ould urge them to folio w a simi lar rule. "The natural tendency of any professional sport is downward and without a strong, fear rf L MM II I r lllwlr ill II nil I L I Jill L nmnft GOITMB. Have you a taste for the beau tiful ? Do you wish to select where you can have unlimited opportunity of judging of the various styles and patterns in Curtains and Portieres ? Then call at Keech's. Having plenty of room and plenty of light, youwillhavean opportunity to select with care this most im portant accessory toward mak ing home beautiful. IRISH POJNT, CLUNY, GUIPURE, And a host of others, very cheap. Can less and well-governed central organization like the National League acting in unison with other associations under a broad and equitable national agreement, it is utterly impossible to maintain the necessary discipline and keep the game in its purity and Integrity, without which the confidence of the public, so essential to the sneoess of professional baseball, cannot be long retained. Isba.ll always-take a deep in terest In the game and in the National League, ard will do everything I can in my individual capacity to advance the interest ot the sport, which I hope and believe is in fair way to De come the universal ball game of the world." Some Important Truths. T don't think that ever a more Important truth regarding sport was stated than the foregoing. TImo and time again I have'eon tended that the tendency of professionalism was to kill sport entirely. This is so true that to-day we cannot lay our hands on any kind of professional sport that is not de graded, or at least is being rapidly degraded. During the last 20 years I have noticed the sure degeneration of professional sport. Time was when professionalism reigned supreme ana when the public would scarcely waste the time in going to see amateurs perform. But matters have changed, and to-day wo find such sports as rowing; foot-racing, etc., absolutely ruined as far as professionalism is concerned. Wo aro dependent on the amateurs for the con tinuation or perpetuation of these sports. And this professional sport has been mined by the Erofessionals themselves, who wco only in the usiness for mercenary motives, and not be canso of any special love they had for the sport. Much could bo Bald on this matter, hut I now briefly refer to it in order to draw the attention of amatenrs to the very important duty they have to perform that Is, to keep the sports with which theyarc connected clean and beyond reoroach. Every effort sbonld be made, in fact, must be made, to keep amateurism within its legitimate limits, and if this is done. depend upon it, its ranks will net be tainted by either professional boxers or any other kind of professionals. Two Prominent Amatonrs. Speaking of amatenrs reminds me that we have just lost two ot the most prominent ama teur athletes in local circles. I refer to Alex. Macpherson and E. B. Danson. I don't know of two athletes who grace the amateur world more than do the two gentlemen named. In every sense of the term they are amateurs, tbat is, they are athletes simply bocause of their lore of sport and outdoor exercise. Mr. Danson, who was Secretary of the Allegheny Athletic Association, has made his mark in Pittsburg as a gentleman of merit and one of the hardest workers in amateur circles. -Mr. Macpherson I have known for many years, and it is'not too much to say .that to him more than to anybody else ii due the prominence of Pitts burg as a cricket playing city? Mr. Macpherson as a cricket player, has undoubtedly drawn general attention to Pittsburg on very many occasions. And wbat is the most pleasing feature of the matter is the fact that be has on all occasions been actuated by the very purest motives. Of courso he will be missed, and so will Mr. Danson. Chicago will get a good man in Mr. Macpherson, and New York will find a very useful man in Mr. Danson. I had almost forgot to mention tfcat the local amateurs showed high esteem for the two gentlemen named The other evening at the Hotel bchlosser a banquet was given in their honor, and without doubt a nzht good timo was spent. Prominent in that very jovial party was Mr. iSec,wbo is not only an athlete of merit,butis one of the best entertainers in Pittsburg. Messrs. Danson and Macpherson had reason to feel proud of the "send-off" given them, ritaslmmons and Smith. Considerable Interest has been added to mat ters pugilistic in Pittsburg during the week by the presence of Fitzsimmons here. I. had the pleasure, if I can conscientiously use the word, of meeting Mr. Fitzsimmons the other day and asking him a, few questions. His language Is not by any means the most chaste I have heard, nor is his appearance prepossessing as a pugil ist. I obtained precious little satisfaction from Mr. Fitzsimmons, as be didn't, tell me a thing I didn't already know. My special object was to find out if he wonU fight Ed Smith, of Denver, and in replying to the question Fitzsimmpns did admirably as a showman. Re is in the "show" business, and he cannot condescen . to talk about ordinary amounts, such as JL000, or even 85,000. Fitzsimmons talks about stakes and purses of amounts varying from S10.000 to $30,000. Of course, not long ago he worked his passage from Australia to this country, but he is a "star" in the show business now and he has license to talk abont fighting for 820,000-purses. Well. Smith and backer also met Fitzsimmons and they forced the latter to name conditions under which he would fight Smitb. I will discuss those conditions presently, but I want to say a . Keech's immense warerooms invite you to walk through them and see for yourself the truly imposing display. In spite of the large demand of the past two weeks, our facilities are such that we have replenished our stock promptly. You'll find all goods new and fresh and stock unsurpassed." Bedroom Suites in Hard Wood, Polished, Antique or Sixteenth Century finish, from t $16.75 UP, SHard Wood, remember. Satisfy the Most for His Stock is Unsurpassed. 923, 925, 927 PENN AVENUE, - NEAR NINTH STREET. 0PE3IiT SA.TTJ3D-A.1TS TIXiIj lO IF. MI. few words regarding Fitzsimmons here. What I want to point ont is that tho Australian, like all other latter-day champions, tramps rough shod over all customs and rules as soon as they become the alleged champions. They all havo dn idea, .at least they talk as if they had, that they have a perfect right to dictate anv terms to anybody who want to fight them. Now neither Fitz simmons nor anybody else has a right to retain any championship under any such conditions. This Is just as true as the fact that we are living. .In tho first place there aro rules as to weight which Fitzsimmons must abide bv, and ho has no right to insist that the stakes or purse sball bo an extraordinary amount. Were it a rule tnat nobody conld fight for the cham pionship except for a purse or stake of notJess 'than 110,000, there would be no hope for a poor man, no matter if lie was the best man 'the world ever produced. On the other hand, it would be possible for a man to rotain the ehampinnsbip, not because ho was the best fighter, bnt becauo nobody else was able to raise tho lilgsum of S10.0CO. Well, happily, ther is a custom and there are rules which gnide us in these matters. Fitzsimmons has a right to fight Smith for SL000 a side just as Dcnipsey was required'to fight Reagan for that amount. True, the amount may look small when com pared with tho big purses of recent times, but it is fair btrauso It gives all men a chance. I really don't think that Fitzsimmons ever fought for 51.000 in bona fide stake money. Ho and Dempsey each had 81,000 forfeit up for their battle, but Fitzsimmons drew bis down on the night of tp.e fight, and even de clined to bet it. And in face of this he talks nhout fighting only for a purse of J10.000, 516,000 or 820.000. Such talk is simply preposterous. Fitzsimmons may Do a first-class man, but he must only demand fair conditions. I am inclined to believe that bo is not .anxious to secure a fight. Of course, that is bis business, bat 11 be wants a contest he won't insist on tho outrageous terms of big stakes or purses. It also may be bis-business to hold back from any Hunt as long as possible, so as to reap all the benefit attending his repu tation, but ho ought not to try and prevent others from making a name. Fitzsimmons will have to fight Smith now or mako a miserable backdown. Will They Fight? Amid all the talk about a' battle between Smith and Fitzsimmons it is very problematical whether or, not they will ever come together. Fitzsimmons' demauds are so rigid that it may be no club will grant them. Smith is willing to fight at 154 pounds, even under Queensberry rules, but the Australi' a along with this de mands a purse of 12,000. The latter condition is simply monstrous. I mean It is monstrous if Fitzsimmons declines to fight for any less than that. If be does he cannot by any means re main champion, and Smith will then have the right to claim the title for whatever it may be worth. Keallv, I don't think Fitzsimmons is eager to fight Smith, because on Thursday evening the latter talked in a very plain and emphatio way to the antipodean. Smith is the most likely man in the country to meet Fitzsimmons and If ever they meec, and Smith U in good condition I have an idea that Kitz .Simmons will come ont second best. I am not at all impressed with the build; be Is not built liko a stayer or like a man who could stand tho punishment of a long and hard contest. Of course many people also claim that bis color is against bim. The old tradition is tbat "red beaded men are not game." I have never placed much credence in that old notion be cause all the gamest men I have known in all branches of sport have been of the ''carroty hair" kind. But tuere is a reason for the old notion. As a rule a red-beaded man bleeds much mora copiously than a dark complex ioned man. because the skin of tho former is thinner: the red-headed man.therefore.asj rule, becomes weaker sooner tnan the man of dark complexion and that is all there is connected with it. But I mean that Fitzsimmons' body is not built like the body of a stayer and if he should take part in a long-drawn-out battle of a severe kind and come out victorious I would bn very much surprised. Well, thei quejtiou. Will they tight? altogether depends on Fitz simmons. If he is reasonable Smith will tackle him. Frlddy and Darrin. Borne time ago I ventured the opinion that a race wonld be arranged between Peter Priddy and Harry Darrin. The men have now signed articles to run a three-mile race for $1,000 a side and the race is take place in this city on Decora tion Day. A contest between these men is sure to be interesting, but I bave an Idea that Pnddy should he able to defeat Darrin In a three-mile race. The truth is I think Priddy can defeat auy man in the world at tbat dis tance. He is a remarkable runner, but so Is Darriti. The latter is thought very well of by some good judges in Now York, but Pnddv also h some very shrewd men behind Uini At any rate, there is 6very reason to Delieve tbat the contest will bo on its merits and that the bet man will win, Priddy, I understand, is in active training, and if ho defeats Darrin he will then havo to tackle the Englishman at one mile. Pbikole. At. $ H i .i .EBH33. . . .ci j'l'l'i'l'l ' la .tlli! " "'' &" " tiimnfr ? Bsii " I 1 19 El 'i Mr BM. kr S This beautiful Chamber Suite is so immensely popular that we have had to replenish pur stock and have now enough to "keep them going." It's finished in Antique and Sixteenth Century Oak, highly polished and full size. It sells on sight 'The most positive bargain ever offered in the furniture business. Parlor Suites upholstered in every style. Library Suites, Kitchen Furniture, Queens ware EVERYTHING FOR THE HOME. Exacting Taste, - A GAS CITY MEDIUM. She Gets falters and Telegrams Prom the World of Spirits AT ONE DQLLAE FER MESSAGE. A Yictim Asks for a Letter from Bessie ' Bramble and Gets It. SPIRITUALISM AND COMMON BESSE rWEITTEir FOB THJt DISPATCH. In a dingy Dp per room down town there aro gathered together on Sundays a com pany of women and men who are fully con vinced that they possess a larger share of pure, unadulterated truth than any other religious body. They are comfortable and satisfied in this belief, and are perhaps as happy as mortals can be upon "the rack of this tough world." They have no doubt, as to their admittance into the world to come by Peter at the gate as have so many Christians. They want no cross upon which to-cling. They have no call for a fountain filled with blood in which to wash away all their guilty stains. They haTe no fear as to eternal fire and brimstone. They are firm in the faith, rooted and grounded in the belief that death is only a door between them and the spirit land, where dwell the friends and loved ones that have passed on before. They claim that their religion "destroys all fear of death, annihilates the orthodox doctrine of eternal punishment, and substitutes the cheering assurance of 'eternal progress.' " They hold that table rappings, mysterious slato writ ings and clairvoyant utterances as to past and present, spiritual manifestations by way of cabinets and dark: rooms, uncon scious trances, inspired orations and other mysterious .goings-on are proofs that the sonl is immortal, and that Shakespeare was wrong when he talked about "The undis covered conntry, from whose bourn no traveler returns." Thoir Ideas of Ghosts. They maintain that ghosts do return and make themselves known through the strangely-endowed people caljed "mediums." They have no hesitation in believing that i'Angels ever bright and fair" return to this vale of tears, and talk to .their beloved friends through people who are unpleasant to look at and disagreeable to eucounter. They see nothing incongruous in a beautiful spirit returning to earth and murdering good English in the most shocking manner through women and men from whom they would shrink and keep aloof while here on earth. It is hard for the outsider to believe that the beautiful souls of the blest come back with sweet messages of love through the Katie Kings and Diss De Bars, the fortune-telling fiends who for a dollar will furnish communications from beyond the pearly gates and jasper walls. But to the believer a man or woman may be a good medium, however deficient in honesty and morality they may be, -if, as Madam Blavatsky puts it, they can do the tricks well and to the satisfaction of the faithful. Spiritualism, says one ot its chief expounders, Mrs. Emma Hardings Brit tan, is to the dwellers of earth the postofSce and telegraph between the friends who have passed on to the spirit world and those who yet remain in the mortal form. Bring Substantial Happiness. To those who believe, this must be a great pleasure and a comfort. To those firm in the faith tbat ghosts and guardian angels are ever watching for chances to slip out of Paradise for a season to help and comfort their friends and aid a money-getting medium in securing $1 for a communication,' it is doubtless a slice of happiness for which they are duly grateful. The stamps must KEECH be a pretty heavy tax upon the poor, but a message from heaven is a treasure so in valuable that the terms of the mediums are hardly rated as too high a tariff. Apropos to this, we bave received a letter from an unknown correspondent to the effect that in this conservative city there is a spir itual medium on the hill who keeps a post office and telegragh station, by means of which the people of this town can secure communications from their friends and rela tives in heaven, and receive from them ad vice and assistance in the management of their earthly affairs. The name and address are given by tbe writer, but for manifest reasons I do not publish thenr". As related in the letter, the way tbe matter is managed is that the visitor who desires news from heaven writes a note to tbe spirit from whom h'e wishes to bear, places it folded in the left hand of the "sorceress" or "medium," who, while gazing fixedly into the eyes of the seeker after news lrotn beyond tbe stars, writes the answer upon a pad. with tbe other hand, and describes verbally the appearance ot the spirit called for. This to the credu lous believer' is usually satisfactory, but whether so or not the "medium" gets her dollar all the same. ' A Spirit's Tale or a Fortune. These communications sometimes make trouble, an instance of which is related in tbe letter. As the story goes, a spirit, through this "medium," has told a poor woman that a deceased nncle left a will In her favor, bequeathing to her all of his money and property. Unfortunately for her the executors of this will had proved false to their trnst, "gobbled" the money for themselvesand swindled her out of it. This was the tale of the "medium" as moved by the spirit. Whether this spirit was the deceased nncle or not who wonld, of course, know all about his last will and testament is not related. At all events, the woman bad faith in tbe revelation of the spirit, and made up her mind not to be fooled out of a fortune by a shameful swindle. Sho demanded an investigation, and as a result it was shown that the de ceased uncle did not leave enough money to pay his funeral expenses, but was buried as a panper at the expense of the city. But this showing did not weaken her faith. She still has more confidence in the story told by the spirif than in the honesty of her earthly friends. She clings to the belief, in spite of everything, tbat these last have conspired to defraud and deceive her. The spiritual communications she receives at a dollar -apiece from the aforesaid "me dium" deepen the impression upon her mind that she is a much injured and badly swindled woman. More Information Acceptable. To the common 'mind it would seem as If the spirits should, in all justice, tell her how to get out ot the snarl, how to lay hold on the fortune and bring the conspirators to grief, but it appears they do not, and the wicked are thus allowed to prosper, while she goes to the wall and spends her money on the "medium" for naught. The same "medium," as our informant relates, has also obtained communications from the spirits to a certain doctor on Du quesne Heights at a dollar each, of course which have sufficed to put him in a very happy frame ot mind. The heavenly news that he has received is that he is soon to be relieved from all financial straits by the acquisition of two fortunes, and that the spirit of the late William Thaw is engaged in working out a grand financial scheme for his benefit which will lift his mortgages and change bis heaviness of heart to wings of rejoicing. This doctor, says our correspond ent, receives prescriptions from eminent dead-and gone doctors, whose earthly knowl edge and experience being now backed up by heavenly wisdom, must be deemed of immense value. It would be of great inter est to know how this doctor, nnder the guid ance tf the spirits say of Benjamin Bush," Dr. Holland, Dr. Brown and other big guus treated "the grip." If spirits can come bick and give valuable information, how nice it would be tor Galen and Hippocates and Hahneman and Jenner and Boer have and others well known to fame to put their heads and wits together for tbe benefit of human beings here below, and PPING 1 The delightful weather of the past week has made it neces sary to secure seasonable cloth ing. The new spring suits are lovely and most becoming to the fair-ladies who wear them; ' but don't forget THE WRAP! Just at this season it is neces sary to take every precaution against sudden colds. GET A WRAP OR CLOAK. Keech has a beautiful new line, fashionable and cheap. Makes As 92 Lafe' Will send down word how best to treat pneu monia and other fatal diseases concerning which the doctors of the present know so little. By the laws of eternal progress which prevail in the spirit land, they might now know enough to give Koch a few im pressions. A Very Hard Question. This spiritual fortune teller on the hill does not, it appears, base her predictions npon a lock of hair, but insists upon seeing the person lace to face who desires to receive news from the spirit land, and the writer of tho letter therefore asks: "Is this woman a hypnotist or mesmerizer, and how long can her impressi6ns be made to last, and how often must her power be re newed to control the mind of otherwise sane persons?" Not being familiar with these mysterious manifestations, nor with "the methods formulated by spirits to tele graph to mortals here below through the organisms of specially endowed persons called mediums," our correspondent must be referred to the "Rules for the Spirit Circle" or to spiritualists themselves, who know all about it. One of them thus writes: "Spirits are seen, felt, heard, read man's thoughts, teach the ignorant,makc the unlearned speak with new tongues, prophesy of the future, dis close hidden things, make music, paintings, poetry, addresses; carry objects through the air invisibly and drop them visibly. They rap on tables, set motionless bodies in action, fill the place with sounds and lights; they can produce warm, living bodies fully clothed. These spirits live, employ force, are masters of sciences unknown to mortals, givs new things to the world beyond number. These spirits bring in a new page of acoustics, a new line of optics, a new motive power, new revelatious in physiology, psychology, chemistry and the evidence of a country as much more capacious and full of inhabitants than this little globe. as eternity is longer than time." Some Things Hard to Explain. With all this power in possession, as claimed, what strikes the outsider as wonder ful is that these spirits do so little, that they work through mediums many of whom have been shown up as frauds rather than directly; that they are limited by the power of the organism through which tbey manifest themselves; that they work in dark ness rather than light; that tbey have such fool methods of communicating as rapsing on tables, blowing horns, slate-writing, haunted houses, and sheeted ghosts that send cold shivers down people's backs and scare timid creatures into hysterics. It would be interesting to know why in some cases visitors from ghost land must be wooed to manifest themselves by singing melancholy songs, while in others they re fuse to show up unless by way of solemn silence or earnest prayer. One writer urges that the best possible preparation for the medium to give satisfac tory manifestations of spirits and to receive and transmit messages from ghosts is to en gage in a merry game of cards. In the rules for the spirit circle, it is said that no person of strong, positive temperament should be present, as the spirit might be too overpowered to produce the phenomena desired. A negative and passive condition is the frame of mind most favored by ghosts for their manifestations. "A candid, inquiring spirit is tbe onlyproper state of mind for a successful seance, and no posi tive or dogmatic person should be admitted, because his mental condition would mar the delicate magnetism" of the ghostly doings. Tho manifestation to Paul. How this conclusion has been reached is not plain to see. Panl was In a most posi tive frame of mind when he started on his famous journey to Damascus. His was not "a candid or inquiring spirit," nor was he in a negative or passive state of dullness. , He was breathing ouf threatenings and slaughter, when suddenly in . a strong light, the spirit appeared to him, and he was converted from a persecutor of the Gentiles into an apostle. Most people would likely prefer this direct style of spiritual manifestation to the roundabout and expensive way of test mediums, who may be frauds. AROUND ?" !L , ffl P It's about time to be "of! with the old and on with the new;" not love, but CLOTHING. There's not much argument in favor of paying- fancy prices for suits to order when you can have such a stock to select from as Keech is now showing. All the newest things in CHECKS and PLAIDS, SACK and CUTAWAY SUITS ' For 'Men and Boys, . CSS H OR CREE1IT, W fa's ClothiDg the Terms and Prices Right, Thousands Can Testify, However, this is a wide subject, and onr correspondent will have a time of it, I doubt not, if be proposes to continue his investigations. A man who cUum to havo been through tbe thick and thin of the) whole business advises those who desire to investigate spiritualism to let it alone. If they will persist, however, he urges npon them "never to sit with a professional me dium," and "never by any change to sit in the dark, bnt in the fullest light. This ml a will compel more honesty, thongh thera may cot be such striking manifestations." A Fascination Abdut Ghosts. Bnt advice is rarely welcomed unless it falls in with the notions of those to'whom it is given. There is always a longing for for bidden fruit. To advise men not to invest!, gate spiritualism, or any other ism which they chance to fancy, 'is "as profitless a pouring water in a sieve." Spiritualism will be investigated, aud tbe mysteries of mesmerism and other phenomena will event ually be explained. As Bev. Dixon says, "the social fad in society and the church to day is the juggler, the medium, the theoso phist; these are the lions oT the hour." But science will lay hold of them and finally settle the problems they present, as it has upset and overcome other things once re garded as supernatural. There is a vast deal of humbug and sham and iraud in tha world, and to expose thesa and stamp them out is good work. If' spiritualism is true it will stand, but it will need some stronger testimony than table rappings and the other tomfoolery of legerdemain tbat impose on so many credu lous and honest people. tTo hold its own, spiritualism must be able to stand op against antagonism and incredulity. Tha testimony of the.Seybert Commission is that as soon as an investigation worthy of the name begins the spirits cease to manifest themselves. This is a pity, if it is true. .. Why should the world grope in darkness, if. they can turn on the light? Bessie Bbamble. Coal-Tar Colors Stick. It is a popular fallacy tbat our so-called aniline and coal-tar colors are less fait than the ancient dyes. The fact is many of thera are much faster, such as, for instance, aliia rinered, blue and orange, dark fast green, and induline blue. Aniline black is th' fastest color known. How to Cure a Cold. It ma; be a surprise to our readers to. learn tbat a severe cold k can in many inT stances be completely cured in one or two. days' time. To do this, however, prompt action is necessary. The first symptoms of, a cold are a dry. loud cough, a profnsa . watery discharge from the nose, and a thin, white coating on the tongue. If Chamber-' Iain's Cough Bemedy is taken in double doses every half hour after the first appear ance of these symptoms it will connteract tha effect of the cold and restore tbe system to a healthy condition within one or two day's time, in almost every case, aud when tha cold is not completely cured in this time its severity will be greatly lessened and a com plete cure insured in a very short fime. When no action toward curing tbe cold is taken the dry, loud cough is followed by a profuse watery expectoration, and that by I a difficulty of breathing, a peculiar tightness of the chest and a slight expector- ! ation ot very tough and tenacious mucus. . Few persons pay any attention to a eald until in this condition, that is, until' the cold has become settled in the system. The first action should be to relieve the lungs. This is best accomplished by tha free use of Chamberlain's Cough Bemedy. ' This remedy liquefies the tough and tena cious mucus and causes its explosion from the air ceils of the lungs, produces a free expectoration, and opens the secretions. A complete cure soon follows, in some cases,, however, several days are required, but tha ' experience of thousands of persons in tha' use of this remedy has been that it will curs, a severe cola in less time than any other; treatment and that it leaves the system in a, natnral and healthy condition. The prompt- ness and certainty of its cures of severe colds have given Chamberlain's Cough Bemedy, the name of being the best made. wsu h i Such a rush for Baby Coaches as there has been in the past week at Keech's is evidence of necessity and season for mak ing your selection. We have over a hundred different styles and patterns, ranging in price from And you might as well give the little one an airing at once, as Keech will sell you on easy payments. J?Send for catalogue if out of the city. . m Baby Coaches $5.50 TO 11 'i ca.se: oh, oKBZ)ia?. C-A-SIEa: OB OBEDIT. .-- s AA-to4-!M-fe .tdmVvMiM'4uadlsMsiiA -i -r - is- at
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers