A SPIRIT IN POSSESSION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2191, 27 March 1880, Page 3

A SPIRIT IN POSSESSION.

A strange and, to put it mildly, decidedly “ uncan U3 r ” story has reached us from the locality formerly, and by very many still, known as the Flat. A resident there (says the Southland “News ”) has been for some time past engaged in trj'ing to solve the problem of how to make the best of both worlds, in a way scarcely contemplated by the Rev. Mr Binney. To be plain, he went in for table-rapping, and with several others was in the habit of endeavoring, at regular intervals, to induce some former inhabitants of this sphere to “ revisit the glimpses of the moon.” Success followed their efforts, so they supposed, and they were soon in regular communication with intelligences of some kind or another. In succession all varieties of human character were represented—good, bad, and indifferent, the second-class including the spirit of one who said he had paid the last penalty of the law for a capital offence. In time this particular intelligence evinced a remarkable fondness for the house in which the “ circle ” sat, and gave place to more notorious but less do sirable visitants' with the greatest reluctance, and at length he, or it, intimated his intention of taking up his abode there permanently. This was more than the members of the circle, particularly the occupier of the house, had bargained for, and it was unanimously resolved to drop the acquaintance. This was easier said than done, however. The spirit wouldn’t go, but carried out his intention the fullest extent. In season and out, at all hours, unearthly and otherwise, he made his presence known by tapping, rapping, and other methods of “ manifestation” familiar to circles. The oepupant of the house stood this for gome time, hut lately his nerves have got the better of him, and he has decided to vacate it. He says a “ man in possession” might be borne with, but he can’t stand a spirit. Here is a chance for some strong-minded person who doesn’t believe in “that sort of thing,” and who thinks that human beings have enough to do in keeping upsides with the living without trying to fight against those who were not particularly amiable

during their earthly pilgrimage.