Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

OP THE EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. 335the back door, locked that, and placed the key in his pocket. On returningfrom church at noon, the front door was found standing open ; thechamber doors, which were left fastened, were now open ;the furniture was thrown about in disorder;down upon the floor;and in the nurserychairs on the bed, and thrownthe shovel, tongs, and poker, with other things, were inunusual positions and places, every tiling showing unmistakable signs of thework of some rude hand making mischief in their absence. Upon discoveringthe disorder here. Dr. Phelps passed into other rooms on the same floor,but could sec no further evidence of intrusion. The first supposition was,very naturally, that some person or persona had entered and robbed the house.Search was immediately made in the closets where silver plate, spoons,forks, etc., were kept. All were found safe and undisturbed. A goldwatch, left in an exposed place, remained there as left. The impressionstill remained that burglars had been in ; and, on examination of the windows,one was found that could be raised from the outside, and though therewas no evidence of entrance having been made tbere, no doubt existed thatthis was the place of access.Thinking they might return during the afternoon,Dr. Phelps remained at homo, the other members of the familygoing again to church. Being left alone, the doctor armed himself, and,selecting a secluded position, awaited the return of the burglars. Therewas no disturbance during the afternoon ; no sound of footfall ; all remainedquiet. On the return of the family, after the service, usuallyclosing at three o'clock, several other articles were found out of place, butnot in a way to make itcertain that they were not moved in the morning.Articles of kitchen furniture were changed about. A teakettle, whichhad been used at dinner-time, was found hidden behind some boxes in thecellar. The bread, sugar-bowl, eggs, and numerous other things kept inthekitchen, were found where they did not belong, and where they hadevidently been placed in some way which the family could not account for.Upon entering the middle chamber, occupied as a sleeping-room, a sheetwas found spread over the bed outside the counterpane, and beneath whichwas a nightgown and chemise laid out with the arms folded across thebreast, with stockings placed in a position to represent, as it seemed, acorpse disposed as is usual before placing it in the coffin. On the wallwere written characters resembling those said by certain clairvoyants tobelong to a spiritual language, but which none of the family were abledecipher. "Whether they had any significance, or how they came there,was alike an unanswerable question by the family ;tothey had not observedthem before. Occurrences ceased for that day and night, yet, no onethinking of any mystery in the matter, they imputed it to roguish boys,or others, who had cifected entrance with false keys, for mischief ratherthan for robbery, and that the culprits would soon be detected.morning, 3Iarch 11th, when theThe nextfamily went up stairs, after breakfast, themiddle chamber had again been visited, exhibiting much the same scene