^LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, [SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT.] UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE SPIRITUALISTS' HALL. LENDEEMAS'S ADVENTURES AMONG THE INllfUllttl AID FBEE-LOfERS; EXPLAINING HOW THE "RAPPINGS," "TABLE-TIPPINGS," PLAYING ON INSTRUMENTS, ETC., ARE DONE, AND WHERE THE SPIRIT COMMUNICATIONS COME FROM: CONTAINING A GREAT NUMBER Of EXCITING INCIDENTS OF THE RUIN OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ; OF LUNACIES ; SEDUCTIONS AND SUICIDES, CAUSED BY THESE INFERNAL SYSTEMS OP DECEPTION. BY LENDERMAN, CINCINNATI: H. M. RULISON, 141 MAIN ST. 1857 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by H. M. RULISON, In the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio. UPUCATE URL CONTENTS, CHAPTER I. Introduction. Reasons for writing this Book. A Trip down the Mississippi in January, 1856. A beautiful Female Corpse taken from the River a* . The Locket and its Miniature. A Burn- vng Steamer. CHAPTER IL Return to . Obtain the Ring taken from the finger of the beautiful Corpse. The Queen City in the middle of the " Cold Winter." A Spirituo-Freelove Meeting ; Its Male and Female Attendants ; Its Entertainments. CHAPTER IIL A Scene at the National Theater. Recognition of a Mysterious Character. Plan for obtaining an Interview. A Spiritualist's Parlor. CHAPTER IV. A Spiritual Leader. Suspicions Confirmed. Matilda DeLong, the Spiritualist's Chambermaid. The Ring of the beautiful Corpse recognized. An Interesting Scene. A Visit to the People's Thea- ter. An Affectionate Couple. CHAPTER V. A Revelation. History of the Spiritual Leader, Guysot, and of his Wife. Matilda's Story of Herself. The Society of Freelovers of New York ; Its Wicked Doings. How Husbands were estranged from their Wives, and Wives seduced from their Husbands. Sad History of a beautiful and accomplished Lady, from a suburban Village, who fell a Victim to this infernal Clique. Story of Ed- ward Lawrence and his young Wife. A double Suicide. A Victim of Despair. Escape of a Libertine. Causes of Self-destruction. CHAPTER VL Singular and Romantic History of Emily Lee, the beautiful Corpse, and of her Parents and Uncle. How she became the Spiritualist's Wife. Meeting of the Spiritualist's two Wives. Continuation of Matilda's Narrative. Her Meeting with Guysot's first Wife ; Her Repentance. A Spiritual Bed-chamber. Affecting Scene. Plan for breaking up the Orgies of the Spiritual Freelovers. M 2212595 VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. A Spiritual Circle. A " Speaking Medium." Description and His- tory of the Members of the " Circle." The Rev. Mr. Faleau. Mrs. M , the Medium. The Widow Peabody. Landor. Miss B . The Pork Merchant's Wife. Mrs. N , etc. How Landor induced Miss B (a beautiful young lady) to attend these Meetings. Spiritual Wine. A Spiritual Dance. Rescue from Infamy. The Dance Suddenly Stopped. Dancers in Trouble. A Spiritual Leader Exposed. Matilda and Guysot. Terrible Scene. Death of the Leader. The Widow's Grief. CHAPTER VIII. House of Mourning. Mrs. Guysot. Henriette. Inside History of a Boarding School for Young Ladies. Mrs. Jelliot, the Matron. A Remarkable Sunday Morning Breakfast. A Solitary Burial. Another Victim of Spiritualism. A Harrowing Scene. The Monster Freelove. Arrival of Mrs. Guysot's Parents ; Their Deep Affliction. Melancholy Journey. CHAPTER IX. Gratitude of an Affectionate Heart. A Lovely Creature. Beauty in the Country and Beauty in the City. A Perfect Woman. How and where to find a handsome and sensible Woman. Cause of Homely Women. A Good-for-nothing Woman. Base Conduct of a Spiritualist. Infamous "Communications" of a "Medium." An Affecting Scene in the Cars. CHAPTER X. Matilda's Revelations of the Horrid Acts of the Spiritual Freelove Society. Mary Vernon, the beautiful Gloveraaker ; Her Sad History and Unhappy Death. A Family ruined by the Spiritual Demon. Pollock, the Spiritual Lecturer. Inhuman Wickedness of a Female Medium. The Lost One. Spiritualists Alarmed at their Wickedness. The Porter's and the Lady-boarder's Story. A Home Destroyed. CHAPTER XI. Honest Believers in Spiritualism. How Mediums are made. Whero Spiritual Communications come from. The Credulity of Spirit- ualists. History of Mr. Levers and his Wife. Sincere Believers. How this Delusion changes the Character. The Bible De- nounced. CHAPTER XII. Selections from a Package of " Confidential Letters " from an Itin- erant Spiritual Lecturer and his Female Medium, to a Spiritual Leader in the City. How the People are Humbugged. An account of the Lecturer's Adventures in different Country Villages. "As- CONTENTS. VII tonishing the Natives." How. the Spirits of Deceased Persons sometimes tell such straight Stories. Interesting Communication from the Dead Merchant. A Thief Discovered. How a Medium got "Trapped," and how she got out of it. Valuahle Advice to Spir- tual Lecturers. The Fellow who was bound to see a Table moved. What kind of Tables aud Rooms Spirits like. Wear and Tear of Conscience. Spiritual Fools. A handsome young Widow who wanted a Communication and got one. The Spiritualist who was starving himself to Death. The Widow whose husband had vis- ited her after death. Another Deranged Spiritualist. A rich story about a Widower who married his wife's sister through the in- fluence of Spiritualism. How the Lecturer was paid. Advantage of carrying a Gold Watch. How Lecturing on Spiritualism devel- ops the creative faculties. How the Lecturer came near losing his Medium, Suse. Villainies of Spiritual Lecturers. Connection of Freelove with Spiritualism. A not very flattering description of a majority of Spiritualists. Their Motives. Continuation of Ma- tilda's Manuscript. CHAPTER XIII. Matilda sees an Advertisement in reference to her parentage. The Lost Child. Mysteries of a City Postoffice. Parents found. Going Home. A Trip to the North with Matilda and Henriette. An Intelligent Schoolmaster. An interesting society of Spiritual- ists in Northwestern Ohio. The Schoolmaster gives au account of their doings. The Shoemaker whose wife " rapped " herself to death. The rapping Bricklayer, and how he got his second wife by the aid of Spiritualism. A " Prescribing Medium." Spiritual Medicine. Remarkable Spiritual Practice. Diarrheas, toothaches and fresh cuts cured. A very ludicrous description of a Country Landlord, who dealt in Spiritual Elixirs. A laughable scene, in which the Landlord gets " overhauled." A Country " Dicker." A Child killed by Spiritual Medicine. CHAPTER XIV. Dark Suspicions. An important charge given to Davison, the School- master. Traveling in a new country. Life in the Backwoods. A First Settler. Arrive at "Home." Domestic Scene. Farewell. Davison gives a history of Himself. A Noble Man. CHAPTER XV. A meeting with familiar characters on the Cars. An important con- versation overheard, and a dark conspiracy revealed. The Narra- tor's return to Cincinnati. Sister Moredock, the charming Medium. A Trump. A Philosophical Libertine. Marrying for Money. A Spendthrift getting economical. An unexpected meeting before Sister Moredock's. The Police attend a "Spiritual Circle." Inter- esting Developments. A description of the twenty members of a nn JONTENTB. "Circle." Tne uwcs of Mediums, such as Singing, Shouting, Jerking, etc. A deluded Old Lady. Philosophy of the Human Battery. A Button-rose of a Woman. Spiritual Singing. A Spiritual Usher or " Ring Master." CHAPTER XVL The Outsiders of the Circle. A Young Widow. A well-matched Couple. A withered Lady puffed out and patched up. A "Poll- evil Man." Last Chance for Matrimony. An old Spiritual Stage- horse not fond of dry provender. A Latin Communication. A Smoky Medium. An Indian Communication. Tecumseh on the Stand ; Tells who killed him ; Down on Dick Johnson. Spiritual Force " versus " Gravitation. How the " Tapping " and " Knock- ing" is done. A very Interesting Room up stairs. Admitted behind the Scenes of a Spiritual Stage. How the Tables are moved. CHAPTER XVII. Mrs. Faleau (the Preacher's wife) meets her husband in Sister More- dock's parlor. A Fashionable Minister. Grand stampede among the Spiritualists. Mr. Faleau's Residence. Landor persuades the Preacher to elope with Miss Callan. Struggle between Sin and Conscience. Sin triumphs by the aid of Brandy. Landor has an interview with Miss Callan ; His appeal to her. Wavering be- tween Virtue and fear of Disgrace. A Convincing Argument. They all leave in the Cars for the North. CHAPTER XVIIL Waiting for a Letter. A Father's Gratitude. A Visit from Hen- riette's Father ; His Disappointment. An important Telegraphic Dispatch. A Second Trip to the North. The Father's Agony. Arrival at our Destination. A Model Landlord. " Dark as Pitch." The Adventures of a Night. "Spiritual Hall." A Description of the Company below, and an Account of their Do- ings, llenriette Discovered ; Her Perilous Situation. Miss Callan. Landor again. CHAPTER XIX. The Spirit of Dr. Rush. Prescribes for Matilda and the School- master. Singular Advice of the Spirit to llenriette. Spiritual Fa- natics. Poor Henriette! An Importunate Female Member. Three very Interesting Spiritual Widows, Widow Blonde, Widow Open- fece, the Consolable Widow Barnthissel. A Sovereign Rem- edy for Widows' Heart Wounds. Some Widowers to Match. " Widowers' Evil ;" Its only cure. Advice to Married Men who expect to marry again. Marrying for a Living. " Aunt Bettie's." How to tell au Old Maid. Extraordinary personal attraction of a Spinster. A Selfish, Sensual Man. The Lights Blown Out. CONTENTS. IX How Spirits blow Horns and play on Fiddles. How Spiritual Hands and Arms are felt. The Meeting breaks up. Landor, the Medium and Henriette go off together. CHAPTER XX. The Medium. Mrs. Madden's House. A Drunken Visitor. Horrid Plot of Poisoning revealed. Two Assistants admitted. The Preacher again. A terrible dilemma. Imploring Divine assist- ance. Landor confident of the consummation of his bliss ; His deceptive appeal to Henriette. Davison's fidelity impeached. A Forged Letter. A gross act of Brutality about to be committed. The Narrator. Recognition. A Fierce Struggle. Henriette's sup- plications for her Friend. A Conscious-stricken Man. The Red Man. His cruel alternative to Henriette. Her sacrifice to save her Friend. A moment of unutterable Agony. Death of the Feel- ings. A desperate attempt to Escape frustrated. CHAPTER XXI. Change of Policy. A gloomy Marriage Feast. The Ceremony. A hopeless Intervention. The Narrator summarily dealt with. The Death Struggle. The Spirit World. A Delightful Vision. Davison's Escape. How he comes to the Narrator's assistance ; His Story. Some good that Whisky did. Spiritual Medicine. Providential Interference. Rendering thanks to God. Matilda. A Sad Sight. A Poisoned Woman. How News circulates in a little Town. How Neighbors' Characters are found out. Mrs. La- bial and " Neighbor over the fence." The Town Pump. Mrs. Labial "makes tracks." The Story about Jack. The astonishment and horror of the Burghers at the late Tragedy. Judge Lynch. " The Birds are flown." " Sloping." CHAPTER XXII. The Red Man, Jim, brought to Trial. A Corncrib Court-house. The Country '"Squire ;" His Library and " Court Fixins." Petti- foggers. Law in the Country. The Pettifogging Doctor. The County Seat Attorney, Mr. McLaughlin, Esq. Country Lawyers. Symptoms of being Whiskyized. A Lawyer's Fee. " Fixes it up." The Elephant of Law made to perform astonishing evolu- tions. Legal Lore. Wonderful " Precedents." The " 'Squire " is able to defend one side of the case. Mr. Blower insists on being advocate for the State. Mr. McLaughlin, Esq.'s Speech. Hits the " 'Squire" and his Wife between " Wind and Water." The Ver- dict. Singular manner of disposing of Criminals in the North- west. The Attorney looks out for the " main chance." Return to Cincinnati. A happy Company depart for home. Waiting for a Letter. X CONTENTS . CHAPTER XXIII. A large Letter. A most interesting and exciting Narrative from tho Schoolmaster. A Trip down the Mississippi. Mysterious Passen- gers. Matilda and Henriette missing. Mr. Brandon and Davison return to . Waiting for a Steamboat. The Father stricken down with despair. Fruitless Search. A Clue. The Little Boy's Story. Pursuit. A Mississippi Homestead. Negro " Frolic and Breakdown." Phil lets it out; His " dicker " with the strange men. The "Handsum Wimen." Important Discovery. A Night Ride through the Woods. Phil's Cabin in the Woods. "Just in Time." An Exciting Scene. Henriette Saved. Sam's Cabin. Important Arrest. A Happy Liberation. A couple of " bad- scared " Negroes. Air Castles Demolished. " Massa Jennins." " Perfectly astonished." Going to Court. Bound Over. A Mis- sissippi Lawyer. Lander's Letter to his Wife. Faleau's Letter to Miss Callan. Return to . A happy Reunion. CHAPTER XXIV. Arrive Home. A Model Plantation. Life in Louisiana. Other Letters received, a month having elapsed. Joyful Tidings. A most happy arrangement " all round." " The Happiest of Men." A perfect enjoyment of earthly bliss. Joyous Conclusion. LENDERMAFS ADVENTURES AMONG THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FREE-LOYERS. CHAPTER I. Introduction. Rensons for writing this book. A trip down the Mis- sissippi in January, 1 856. A beautiful Female Corpse taken from the River at . The Locket and its Miniature. A burning Steamer. INTRODUCTION. THE causes that led the author into such a practical acquaintance with the workings of SPIRITUALISM and FREE-LOVEISM, as the following pages will indicate, was, in the first place, the incident of a beautiful female corpse being found under very mysterious circum- stances ; whose death was afterward traced to the door of these nefarious delusions. And the author was further incited to an exposition of their evil tendencies, by having some of those he held dearest on earth fall victims to these fell destroyers. # # * # * In the mid-winter of 1856, I was a passenger on the steamer William Noble, bound for New Orleans. As we rounded up to the levee at , I noticed a crowd of people collected a few rods above where the steamer landed. They seemed intently occupied with some object in their midst. "With the curiosity of all humans 12 LENDERMAN'S ADVENTURES AMONG traveling, with only now and then an object to excite the curiosity, as is the case in descending the Missis- sippi in the winter time, I insinuated myself into the crowd, and soon saw what attracted its attention. The first sight struck me with feelings very discordant in their nature ; feelings of admiration commingled with feelings of horror. There lay a corpse, a female corpse ; it was stretched on a rude plank. The drip- ping garments told whence it came. A corpse did I say? Imagine not a bloated, disfigured object, with slimy skin, protruding tongue, and staring eyes ; but an angelic form, perfect in every lineament of female beauty, sleeping "that breathless sleep that knows no waking." I scarce could believe that the lovely form before me was inanimate. It seemed as though those delicate eyelids, with their long black lashes, should open and display the crystal mirrors of a spotless soul. I watched to see that deep chest heave its alabaster whiteness. But no! those eyelids opened not, that deep chest heaved not, she was dead, that beautiful being ! The coldness of the water, no doubt, was the cause of this perfect preservation of the features. She was dressed in a rich but tasteful style, com- bining comfort with elegance. Around her small white neck was a beautifully worked collar. A scolloped cloth cape, of finest texture, covered her round, taper- ing shoulders; over this was a splendid large shawl and victorine. Her dress was a plaid silk, covering underclothes of spotless whiteness and beautifully em- broidered. Her small, delicate foot and ankle were incased in a close-fitting gaiter. Her head was cov- ered with an opera netting, and a brown silk handker- chief, tied under the chin. She wore a gold watch and a necklace : to the latter was attached a golden cross, THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FKEE-LOVEKS. 15 set with jewels at its upper part. Her dress was low in the bosom, so that the standard of the cross was seen resting between the risings of her breast. On the fore- finger of the right hand was a ring, set with a beautiful diamond. Three letters were engraven on the inside of the ring. A coroner's jury was holding its inquest over the body at the time. Xo clue had been found to her his- tory, and the stereotyped verdict was about being ren- dered by the pompous and officious foreman, "The deceased came to her death by drowning," when a little boy whispered to one of the jurymen, "What is that shiny little thing in her bosom ?" pointing to a glitter- ing object just visible under the edge of her dress. Tho juryman, acting on this suggestion, drew forth a beau- tiful gold and pearl-mounted porte-monnaie ; although it seemed a desecration for his rough hand to be thus rudely thrust into her bosom. With that peculiar expression of physiognomy indi- cating a consciousness of superior penetration, he gave himself great credit for the discovery. The foreman stopped short in his verdict at "drown," just before getting the "ing" out, and reaching forth his hand with that supreme authority, which none but a small official can display, took the porte-monnaie, and with raised eyebrows, depressed cheeks, and elongated fea- tures generally, intended to impress on the minds of the bystanders an idea of the awful responsibilities that were resting on him, he took the porte-monnaie, and unclasping it, drew forth something wrapped up in several thicknesses of paper, which being easily slipped off, from its being saturated with water, displayed a gold locket, on one side of which was a daguerre- otype miniature of a gentleman ; on the other side was H; LKNDERMAN'S ADVENTURES AMOXQ inclosed a braid of hair of a dark-brown color, a shade lighter than the tresses that shone in such contrast with the whiteness of the beautiful corpse. The same curiosity that drew me to the spot, caused me to notice particularly the features of the likeness found under such mysterious circumstances. The original of that likeness must have been a very hand- some man, I thought; although there was an expres- sion of countenance that started a suspicion in my mind in reference to the case before me. It seemed to me that those eyes, though bright and intelligent, glowed with the light of sensuality rather than pure genius ; they seemed gloating over some sensual pleasure about to be enjoyed. And this was the general expression of the countenance ; it was pleasant, it smiled, but it seemed the libertine's smile over vanquished virtue. I glanced again at the corpse. An appearance struck me that could not have been the result of ordinary de- composition, for that had not as yet taken place. Per- haps my professional character caused me to notice this appearance sooner than others. I called the foreman aside, and suggested the propriety of a post-mortem examination, telling him my reasons. He acquiesced and invited me to preside at the examination. I told him I would, if the boat remained long enough. After going aboard and ascertaining that the boat would remain for a couple of hours, I took a case of dissect- ing instruments from my trunk, and was conducted to a little room near by, into which the corpse had been taken, and which was occupied by the jury alone. I made the examination and found my suspicions con- firmed ; she had been enceinte for about four months. I had no time to stay longer for the boat's* bell was ringing, and I hurried on board. TlIE SPLKHTALISTS AND FfiEE - LoVEES. 17 Strange thoughts occupied my mind, thoughts of the sad scene I had just witnessed. Having been broken of my rest the night before, I retired early to my state- room, and soon fell into a disturbed, dreamy sleep. Strange images \aunted my brain. That beautiful corpse seemed living before me, and with countenance and voice prostrated with grief, she fell at the feet of a man resembling him of the locket, clasping his knees in wild despair and imploring him with tears and sup- plications to save her from worse than death, from infamy ! He pushed her from him with an unfeeling smile more cruel than the bitterest curse. She shrieked and fell insensible to the floor. I awoke. It was a dream. That shriek was the steamer's whistle. A bright red light was glowing through the stateroom door opening on the guard. An unusual commotion of voices and tramping of feet was heard in every part of the boat. The thought flashed through my mind that the boat was on fire, although no alarm of fire was heard. I jumped from my berth and rushed to the guard ; a glance explained it all.* "We were rounding up to a burning steamer. What an awful sight ! She was glowing like a furnace ; the flames crackling and her splendid finishings dissolving away before the devouring element. Horrid groans came from the burning mass. Could it be human beings that were thus being burned alive ? Oh what a horrid thought ! Between the boat and bank were seen female forms, in their night-clothes, wading to their arms along the uncertain bank, their faces and shoulders scorched by the heat. The bow of the burninsr steamer touches the * The steamer Mediator was burned belo\v , on the night of the 5th of January, 1856. 18 LBNDERMAN'S ADVENTURES AMONG bank, she is swinging round toward them, another moment and they are lost ! Brave-hearted fellows are assisting them through the deep water at the risk of their own lives. They reach a ravine in which is moored a small boat, they are drawn into it. Thank God ! they are saved ! I can see now that the groans are from horses and cattle tied on the deck. Oh what suffering these poor animals endure ! A voice from the bank cries, "Mate, are they all saved?" " Yes," answers from the ravine. The Noble (and she well deserves the name) took aboard the unfortunate, or rather, fortunate beings, many of whom had on but a single garment, and that frozen stiff as a sheeting of ice. The table-covers served to protect the females until they were brought into the ladies' cabin, and there they were provided with warm clothing, and their blistered wounds dressed with the tenderest care. One young lady was a most beautiful being, and the heart shuddered to think that one so lovely was so near being consumed in the ruth- less flames. Every attention possible was paid to the sufferers. Indeed it almost made shipwreck desirable, if the wrecked were sure of being picked up by such a Noble crew. For days I could not get that scene at from my mind. Some mysterious and horrid crime seemed asso- ciated with the affair. Although actual violence and bloodshed did not appear connected with it, yet a deeper crime, the murder of the heart, the soul, infinitely more atrocious than that which is punished by killing the body, seemed pointing its bloody finger to the man of the locket. Business and the gayeties of the " Cres- cent City," finally drove these gloomy thoughts, for the most part, from my mind; although when alone, with THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FREE-LOVERS. 19 none to commune with but myself, that corpse would again appear, that locket would again show its braid of brown hair, and its smiling image. CHAPTER II. Return to . Obtain the Ring taken from the finger of the beautiful Corpse. The Queen City in the middle of the " Cold Winter." A Spirituo-Freelove Meeting ; its Male and Female Attendants ; its Entertainments. ABOUT the middle of February I was on my return from New Orleans. I longed for the time when we should arrive at , hoping that I might learn some- thing more concerning the mysterious corpse. The boat was to remain but a short time at that point, not having much freight to discharge, which would render my chances for inquiry rather limited. When we were approaching the landing, by the potent influence of a few " quarters," the deck-hands shoved a plank out, that enabled me to get ashore some minutes before I other- wise could have done. After almost despairing of find- ing a person that knew any thing about the jurymen who held the inquest, a lame fellow, whose inquisitive coun- tenance and seedy garments pointed him out as being one of those Free Intelligence Men whose only business is to attend punctually to what is going on about town, philanthropically discharging this important public ser- vice without hope of honor or compensation, spoke up and said : " Mr. M , the foreman of that jury lives but a step from here." " Take me there as quickly as possible, and here is a half-dollar for your trouble." 20 LKNDEKMAN'S ADVKNTUKES This unaccustomed stimulus made the short leg travel remarkably, considering the roughness of the pavement, but it seemed a snail-gait to me. As soon as he pointed out the house I left him, and in a moment, found myself with the official aforesaid. Nothing had been learned f ~ in relation to the affair. The jewelry and clothing were in the possession of Mr. M . The corpse had been interred in the city cemetery. Mr. M consented to my taking the ring with the engraved letters, on my depositing with him twice its estimated value in money. I left my address, and promised to return the ring if it were called for. Again I was on my way. I now gave up all hope of ever learning more of the matter, and consigned it with its beautiful subject to the grave of oblivion. Finally, by steamboat, stage, and railroad, I arrived at Cincin- nati. I found the Queen City perfectly congealed its river, streets, water-pipes, cisterns, and even the gas seemed to have frozen in its tardy course. All that was wanting, after sunset, to make an Arctic landscape, were the aurora borealis and the white bear. Business was stagnant ; even the odor of pork-houses on upper Broad- way, was bearable, for King Frost had forced a cessation of hostilities in the hog war. The levee, so full of life at ordinary times, was now deserted. The bar -keepers on Water-street felt sensibly that "Othello's occupation" was gone. Instead of steamboats going out or seeking a crevice to insinuate their bows, sleighs and huge wood-wagons, and long columns of pedestrians were passing and repassing the Ohio in perfect security. Even grim Death had been frozen out, for scarcely a doctor could be seen-iu his car- riage unless he was going to set some limb, broken by a fall on the icy pavements. The peanut and toy THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FUEE-LOYERS. 21 women, in spite of their big clonks and charcoal fires, were fairly driven from their corners. The newsboys were the only undaunted soldiers in the field, for with vermilion faces, and icicled noses, and shrill voices, they filled the air with frozen " Evening Times three o'clock edition ;" " Arrival of the Baltic;" " All about the Run- away Niggers ;" " Only half a dime !" The only establishments that did any business at all, were the places of amusement. People seemed desir- ous of seeing others work, if they could not work them- selves. Entertainments were well attended, that would hardly have been noticed in busier times. There were the Hutchinsons singing Anti-Slavery and Hydropathic songs to halls-full. There was Prof. making a kettle-drum of himself, and there was Mrs. McC peafowling it most scientifically. Mrs. F had been " bobbing around," and "Our Mary Anning" it until she had bobbed quite a little sum into "Our Mary Ann's" pocket. Then there were the "Infernal Re- gions," the Big Sheep on Fifth street, the " Lager Bier Institute," exhibits of doctor-factories, and nightly scin- tillations of genius in the shape of twenty-five cent lectures. On Sunday evenings political speeches could be heard without going to Washington. Every Sunday, in the forenoon, telegraphic dispatches from the Spirit Land were obtainable at ten cents per communication Office of the combined Spiritual and Free-Love lines at the Mechanic's Institute. Every Sunday afternoon a delectable intellectuo-sen- suo-spiritual repast was served up at the above-named office, in the shape of a discussion on Free-Love. A delicious treat it was. and it was enjoyed by a highly appreciative audience (judging from the frequent ap- plauses manifested in stampings, and clapping?, and 22 LKKPXBMAX'B ADVENI-UHES AMONG hissings). The principal speakers appeared to be a two- and-a-half- rate lawyer (not Mr. OTliunigen,) a liliputian sprout from some such legal stock as the above, in the shape of a little sorrel -headed, turued-up-nosed Cicero, who imagined he was not only eloquent and logical, but majestically lady-killing (a universal delusion of lilipu- tianism). A street-preacher, neither sane nor insane, neither white nor black, insisted, with tempestuous rav- ings and windmill gestures, that man had a perfect right to do just as he "darned pleased." His harangue was once abbreviated as to length and energy by some ill- mannered fellow suggesting, that said principle of man, doing as he " darned pleased," did not hold good during a coercive residence in a certain public institution. This suggestion seemed to turn his oratory into a less vocif- erous channel, as though it brought to mind unpleasant reminiscences of the past. Another character was an unshaved bison from the backwoods, who prided him- self on being a perfectly illiterate but natural philoso- pher a hairy, skinny, wrinkled, and bold champion of Free-Love. If the ladies wanted something natural, unsophisticated, here they had it the pure ore. Another portrait in this group of illustrious reformers was that of a round and bald-headed, short-necked, sandy-whiskered, white eyebrowed, and thick-set little man, who brought his wife (I suppose) and child to learn the very agreeable intelligence that he did not consider himself bound to continue his matrimonial re- lations with said wife any longer than chance should throw some fairer one in his way (which circumstance, it must be admitted, might possibly occur). His wife, however, seemed determined to get as much out of him as she could before his passional electricity should at- tract liira to some other object : for between speaking THE SPIKITUALISTS AND FREE-LOYEKS. 23 and " tending baby," he was the busiest man in the room. But when the chieftain of the Free-Lovers arose, the leader of the hosts of the hall , all other char- acters became imperceptible. He stood like an impreg- nable tower, tall, erect, his curious, inexplicable eyes, gleaming out from behind their shadings of dark hair, dark eyebrows, dark moustaches, and dark whiskers, like the eyes of a serpent, gleaming in the dark passage of its rocky cavern. His reasoning, to the superficial thinker, bore the semblance of truth. The music of those heavenly words, Liberty, Free- dom, and Love so threw its melody over his discourse as to drown the horrid discords of its principles. The thinking hearer was left in doubt whether to consider him an arch-hypocrite, or a very intelligent man, whose mind had been distorted by the visionary reveries of Spiritualism. The audience was "mixed," in the true sense of the word. There were gray-headed men whose *' passional feelings," it would seem, should have given place to a feeling after eternal salvation. There were young men in the vigor of manhood, the object of whose attend- ance was very apparent. The most of the male attend- ants were, however, middle-aged, hard -featured and hirsute men, whose countenances exhibited three strik- ing features : a mask of hair, a pair of gleaming, de- vouring eyes, and a subtermoustachial opening. Al- though a few of them appeared to be accompanied by their legal consorts, the observer would get the inipres sion, judging from the expression of their countenances during the advancement of different principles by the speakers, that they would rather have left said wives at home, and, that they rejoiced in the prospective Free 3 %-i LEXDERMAX'S ADVENTURES AMONG Love millennium which would enable them to throw aside their old unfashioiwble wives, and take a new style every six months, at least. The female portion of the audience came mostly by themselves ; indicating extraordinary self-confidence, or else a lack of that "passional electricity," which should have drawn some male to their side. A majority of these females appeared to have passed that culminating point where female charms exert their most powerful influence, without having become aware of it; still thinking they ruled on the throne of youthful beauty, and wondering why homage was not paid to them as of yore. Unhappy delusion ! which their mirrors would have dispelled if reflected on aright. A dash of strong-mindedness in their sharp features indicated that a vague presentiment of crumbling thrones might have flitted through their minds and stimulated them to an exaction of coercive homage to their power. At least, we, as a modest non-resistant, acknowledged air nn- manly trepidation when the hawk-eyes of these Ama- zons directed hitherward their not-to-be-resisted currents of " passional electricity." Some of these females appeared to be widows, or " grass widows," at least, if there is any confidence to be placed in Mr. Weller's remarks on ''Vidders." Others appeared to be spinsters, still clinging to the forlorn hope ; while a few. specimens could not, by any possibility, have come there with any hope of reciprocity of "passional attraction;" for they were not only old, wrinkled, skinny, gray, toothless, but actually deformed by hirsute appendages, wry necks, or hunchbacks. There were some exceptions to these descriptions. They were not all long lank-sided, hollow-jawed, sallow- skinned, deformed termagants, insisting on what no man THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FREE-LOVEKS. 25 with human feelings could give his love. Some really good-looking females were there females, who, one would have supposed, could have obtained reciprocal love that was not so cheap as the article in that market. If these good-looking females came there to be noticed, they were fully gratified ; for they were " the observed of all observers," both male and female. By the for- mer they were gazed on with the gloating, lascivious eyes of passional desire ; by the latter with the green- eyed side-glance of torturing envy. These comely females obtained, no doubt, a plenty of "passional" admirers. The style of the discussion was as free as the sub- ject. As an illustration of its freedom, I will introduce a quotation which was read from a standard spiritual work and indorsed by the chieftain then present. It was to this effect, that "the woman is more an audulteress who sleeps nightly with her legal husband, whom she does not love, than she who sleeps promiscuously with many men ; for in the latter case she will occasionally embrace the man she loves." One left these meetings with a feeling of disgust at human nature thus degene- rated thus prostituting the noblest of its attributes to the basest distortions of its animal passions ; and not without a feeling of fear, also, that such public advo- cacy of prostitution, and that, too, on the most sacred grounds and on the most sacred of days, would have a tendency to subvert those social laws that now bind together the family circle with the sacred ties of holy relationship. "With what subtile and flowery speech can evil disguise itself! How apt is poor, weak hu- manity to be deceived and led into error by the power pf darkness, arrayed in the robes of heavenly light ! Oh ! how dangerous to the temporal and eternal welfare 26 LENDERMAX'S ADVENTURES AMONG of the yet virtuous, to listen to the harmonial warblings of these spiritual vultures, with fronts gentle and unas- suming as the dove, but with hearts blacker than Tartarean darkness, and with principles fit only for the lowest depths of hell. But let the victim, who is about being fascinated with this delusive music of the arch- fiend, read the eye of the enchanter, and she will there see the fires of sensuality glowing in all their animal ferocity, gloating over and devouring, in anticipation, her virtue her life-blood her soul 1 Beware, then, Oh virtuous woman ! how you listen to the first strains of that syren music which tells you your virtue and constancy are an incumbrance to your enjoyment. Beware how you tarry in your virtuous path to look down the broad, flowery avenue of unli- censed love, lest yon be tempted to walk therein, from which you can not return untainted and pure ! CHAPTER III. A Scene at the National Theater. Recognition of a Mysterious Char- acter. Plan for obtaining an Interview. A Spiritualist's Parlor. AT this time the beautiful and heart-touching play of Camille was being performed at the " National" theater. With a large company from the House, I strayed there one evening, and found myself pleasantly seated in the Dress-circle of this well-arranged play-house. The Dress-circle, Parquette, and Box-tier were well filled : the first, with the fashion ; the second, with the intel- lectual ; the thirtf, with those who " could see just as well from the boxes for a quarter as those beneath them THE SriRixrALiSTS ASTD FREE-LOVERS. 27 could for half a dollar." The third tier, which is con- sidered neither " respectable" nor " vulgar" being an anomalous department, a sort of a middle ground between the two classes to be occupied by neither was nearly empty, while the fourth tier was well filled by those whose position was decided and unquestionable. Opera-glasses protruded themselves in the Drefs-circle, like turtles' heads in a millpond, seeing what they could see. One would suppose that the occupants of the Dress-circle were all oculists or dentists examining minutely the motes in their neighbors' eyes or the cavi- ties in their teeth ; or else, that Cincinnati upper- tendom had all of a sudden become inveterate natural- ists, and were examining, microscopically, the intimate anatomy, both normal and abnormal, of every remark- able specimen beneath the Box-tier, with a view probably of classifying said specimens, to see which in reality were naturally tropical, dress-circle plants, and which were exotics belonging to liiglier latitudes. The natural and artificial beauties of the performers were also subjected to this microscopical examination, revealing, probably, some such physical facts as these : that red paint, drawn transversely across the forehead, is the proximate cause of wrinkles, instead of care and old age, as is generally supposed ; that vermilion, in- stead of arterial blood, gives redness to the cheeks, and that flour, instead of fright, blanches them ; that large calves are made up of cotton-bats and old newspapers, instead of muscle. In fact, the theater affords a whole world for the investigation of these diligent and enthusi- astic naturalists. So vast is the field, indeed, that they have not even commenced, as yet, on the upper strata, for seldom was a glass directed to the upper tiers, unless it were that of some inexperienced miss in her teens, 28 LENDERMAN'S ADVENTURES AMONG whose taste was not sufficiently cultivated to distinguish the difference between beauty in the upper, from that in the lower tiers. Our scientific cogitations, however, were suddenly arrested by an object directly opposite a gentleman whose features seemed to strike me with a peculiar, inexpressible sensation, suggestive of some painful reminiscence. I looked, and looked again. It seemed as though I had seen that countenance, and yet I could not tell where. I commenced analyzing his features recognition suddenly flashed on my mind. It was the face of the locket. If he had seen my face at that instant, I fear he would have noticed an expression of fearful interest in his behalf. The play and the gay circle around had but little attraction to me after that. I could not keep my eyes from that countenance. The pale corpse of the Mississippi seemed to rise at my side and whisper, " That is he." My absence, or rather intense occupation of mind was noticed by those near me, and more than once was I addressed the second time before answering. By the side of this gentleman sat a woman who once was beautiful ; her tall, symmetric form, her delicately- drawn features, her rich dark hair, her deep, soul-speak- ing eyes told how brilliant she once had been. But those features were now clouded. Trouble and grief had unquestionably thrown their dark shadings over them. Her melancholy look showed that despair had long since usurped the throne of her earthly bliss. Ilur adoring but subdued glances on him at her side, spoke too plainly of unreciprocated love. The last act of the play was being performed. Canaille had sunk on her dying couch, overcome by the unnatural exertion that the excitement of her loved THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FREE-LOVERS. 29 Armand's return arid reconciliation had produced. Already her angelic soul was taking its flight to the spirit world. The theater was a sea of streaming eyes, a vast alcove of whispering sighs. Stillness, almost painful, reigned through those living tiers. My eyes were still drawn to their attracting magnet. That closing scene worked changes in his countenance which painful recollections alone could produce. Self- condemnation unmistakable haunted his tortured soul. The scene was painful to him. Often did he glance around him suspiciously and on the being by his side, as though he feared his uneasiness would be noticed as though he feared some horrid revelation which should consign him to ruin and infamy. His companion seemed perfectly absorbed in the play ; her soul united in sympathy w r ith Camille. More than the ordinary appreciation of good acting affected her ; the tears that silently coursed down her pale cheeks, flowed from a heart-felt stimulus. The curtain dropped at the close of the last scene. I resolved to find the residence of this gentleman and lady. While the majority of the audience was waiting, amid deafening yells and stampings to see Miss Heron come before the curtain, I made my way out, and came directly in contact with the objects of my search, as they were leaving the entrance of the theater. I kept near enough so as not to lose sight of them, nor yet be noticed, which was easily done, as they walked in the middle of the street (the sidewalks being so icy as to render them dangerous). Very few words passed between them, and these were monosyllables and . quickly spoken. Finally, after a long walk, they stopped at an iron railing before a medium-sized brick house, situated 30 LENDERMAN'S ADVEXTUUES AMONG a few feet back from the street. The gentleman un- locked the gate and they entered the house at the back door. Having noticed the number of the house and the name of the street, I returned to my hotel just in time to be taken to task for leaving my company in such an abrupt manner at the theater. I had been so taken up with my adventure, that the impropriety of my sud- den departure had not occurred to me until I entered the parlor and heard my acquaintances discussing cer- tain singular actions which I knew had reference to myself. One young lady was just saying, "I think he must have been struck with Mrs. Guysot, the spiritual- ist's wife, his attention seemed so perfectly absorbed in that direction." " Mrs. who did you say 2" I asked, perfectly oft' my guard. "Didn't I tell you so?'' giggled the little minx; and she made the parlor ring with laughter at my expense. "I wonder if he hasn't killed Mr. G and brought his pretty wife to our cave here. Quite a romantic adventurer, I declare. Say, , did you get wounded in tfee encounter?" and she went on; as the saying is, " I could not put in a word edgewise." And if I could have done it, I hardly know what word it would have been. When I had retired to my room, I examined the letters in the ring; They did not correspond with the name the young lady had mentioned. But then she might have been mistaken as to the persons who attrac- ted my attention during the evening. Nothing could dissuade me from the belief that he was the original of that likeness of the locket. And then this ring might have been given her by some one else. And might not this gentleman have changed his name? I had that THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FREE-LOVEES. 31 opinion of his character that -would warrant such a supposition. It was two o'clock before I went to bed, and then sleep did not accompany me. In vain did I try to drive thought from my mind it would return. It appeared as though all the blood of my body was trying to get into my brain, which seemed laboring to devise some plan to resolve the doubts and anxieties that crowded there. A plan suggested itself at last by which I could become introduced to the gentleman, and, perhaps satisfy myself as to whether my suspicions were right or not. If this gentleman bo a spiritualist, thought I, he will be anxious to buy any new work on Spiritualism, or any new physiological works that promise to give new ideas on that subject. I will assume the character of a book agent. I will hunt up some new books on these subjects, works that have just been published, and call on him to sell them, and thus get an introduction and satisfy my mind as to his relation with the mys- terious locket. Having perfected my plan, I was enabled to fall into a doze of sleep toward morning, from which I waa wakened by the breakfast bell. "How do you feel this morning?" asked my fair tormentress, as I took my seat at the table. "I think looks kind of drowsy this morning ; don't you think so, Lizzy ? The sorrow- ful Mrs. Guysot must have haunted him last night." " Why, Mag, I really begin to think you are getting jealous of Mrs. Guysot, I declare," retorted Lizzy. This new view of the matter was immediately in- dorsed by the whole company, which turned the joke fairly on the joker : and I must acknowledge that her crimson face and stammering words rather confirmed the suo-o-estiou. 32 LENDERMAN'S ADVENTURES AMONG After breakfast, having made some inquiries of a foreman printer who boarded at the hotel, as to tho different publishing houses and as to the nature of the books they were then publishing, I was induced to call at the " house," which the printer said, was just issuing a series of Physiological and Medical works. A part of the works had been stereotyped at the establishment over which the foreman presided, and lie had thereby become acquainted with their contents. I was welcomed into the office of the above-named publishing house with all the attention and politeness that an enthusiastic book agent could desire. I told the proprietor I wished an agency for the new Physiological works he was publishing. The book publisher was warming up in the eulogy of his ware, when I interrupted him by saying, that I thought I would take an agency for these books at least I would start out and try it, and if the business paid me better than any other, I might continue in it. "Mr. ," he said, addressing his head clerk, " will you furnish this gentleman some pamphlet copies The proprietor then sat down and gave me a regular lecture on ',' book-selling," and so eloquent was he on its beauties and profits, its benefits to the body, mind, pocket, and to humanity at large, that he almost per- suaded me to become a bona Jide book agent and to leave all other callings for this. The clerk soon entered with a copy of each of the above-named works in a half-finished condition, with- out being trimmed or bound, and minus the illustra- tions the engravings of which were not yet finished. . I took them and was about leaving, when the proprietor called me back and asked what district I wanted to THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FKEE-LOVEKS. 33 canvass in. After thinking a moment, I concluded to take that part of the city bounded by Fifth street on the south, Walnut on the east, and the Canal on the north, extending westward to Mill Creek. This, I knew, would include No. , street. In going up Main street I noticed, in the show-window of a bookstore, the ad- vertisement of a new work on Spiritualism, by Prof. . This was just what I wanted, and I soon had it under my arm with the others. It w r as now nine o'clock. This is not too early to call, I thought. If I don't call pretty early I may not find him at home ; and so I bent my steps toward No. , street. "With not a little misgiving and trepidation I drew the bell-knob. I had committed a great oversight in not thinking over what to say in my new capacity of book agent. This thought coming sud- denly on my mind, already wavering as to the propriety of the adventure, quite disconcerted me ; and when the door opened, and a young woman of prepossessing appearance and address stood before me, my tongue "cleaved to the roof of my mouth." I know that I must have cut a ridiculous figure, indeed. By good luck, a book fell from my relaxed arm, prompting me in my part. "Is the gentleman of the house in ?" I asked. "lie is, sir; walk in," she replied, in a sweet, but apparently melancholy voice. I soon found myself seated on a large and voluptuous sofa, surrounded by all the magnificent appointments of a fashionable parlor. Easy-chairs, lounges, and tete- a-tetes of the latest style, were tastefully arranged around the room. The walls were hung with oil paintings ex- quisite delineations of the male and female perfections of the human form close and free imitations of nature. 31 LEXDERMAN'S ADVENTURES AMONG Ouo painting in particular a representation of Don Juan and Haide was a perfect specimen of art. Even the costly carpet and brilliant rugs were inwoven with voluptuous pictures that would well become the golden frames that adorned the walls. The center-table was covered with richly-bound copies of Swedenborg, Byron, Davis, Paine, Ovid, and a variety of spiritual books and journals. A number of daguerreotypes were also strewed over the table. But in vain did I look among those likenesses of handsome men and women for the image of the beautiful corpse. The rich and peculiar ornaments of the parlor strengthened my conviction that I was on the right track ; and the character of the books on the table satisfied me that Miss D was right in her surmises. CHAPTER IY. A Spiritual Leader. Suspicions Confirmed. Matilda De Long, the Spiritualist's Chambermaid. The Ring of the beautiful Corpse recognized. An Interesting Scene. A Visit to the People's Theater. An Affectionate Couple. THE door opened suddenly and noiselessly on my thoughts, and the man of the theater, the image of the locket, stood before me. He must have noticed a per- turbation in my manner, unbecoming a bookseller, for I was conscious of exhibiting it. "I have some new Physiological and Spiritual works here," said I, with as good grace as I could command, " and I called to see if you would not like to subscribe for them." Hero I went on with rather a highly-colored eulogy of my books. " This work, ' ,' beside containing THE SPIRITUALISTS AXD FKEE-LOVEKS. 35 a history of every diseased condition of the human body, contains a fund of useful and wonderful knowl- edge on the mysteries of Procreation." " What is that ?" said my listener, eagerly grasping the book and glancing over the back part of it. " I '11 take this book," he said. "Can't you spare me this copy now?" he continued. "I would like very much to read it to-day. I don't care any thing about its being bound." "It will put me to some trouble getting another spe- cimen to canvass with," I replied. " Well, here, I will subscribe for all your other books, and will pay yo*u three times your price for this will that compensate you sufficiently ?" he asked " although I don't care a fig about this Spiritual work of Prof. . I have more such books now than I shall ever read." It called to rny mind the incident of the man from Honduras, who brought a cargo of Sarsaparilla to New York, expecting a very ready sale of it, at a large advance, to the Sarsaparilla Sirup and Extract manu- facturers, but who was set a-back not a little on being told by one of the Sarsaparilla princes, that they never used Sarsaparilla, in their Sarsaparilla Sirups, at all. So it occurred to me that manufacturers of Spiritualism were poor men to sell Spiritual books to. His counte- nance seemed to change after thus speaking lightly of Spiritual books, as though he had committed a blunder. " Can't you leave me this copy of Prof. ?" he con- tinued ; "it may contain some new ideas on this heav- enly science," and he might have added, as he glanced over the volumes on his table, "it may help to delude my dupes as well as the rest of these books ; I am con- sidered a very apostle of Spiritualism, and the more show I can make the greater my influence." 36 LENDEKMAN'S ADVENTURES AMONG I consented to his proposal, and after receiving my pay for the books, I asked if I should call on him again, if I came across any new works on the same subjects. " Most certainly. I am anxious to obtain all the new lights on Spiritualism," he replied, with a half-serious, half-smiling face, which said, as plain as a face could say, that he thought less of these works than his words would lead one to believe. I departed with a firmer resolution than ever of fol- lowing up this thing to its source. My object now was to obtain a history of this individual. How was I to do it ? A new Spiritual book must be found no differ- ence if it is not new, it will afford an excuse for call- ing, and by calling, something new may turn up. The thought once occurred to me of openly accusing him of being the murderer of the drowned young lady, as I have frequently seen guilty parties condemn themselves by being thus accused at random. But then I had no evidence, and this heroic stroke might not only frustrate my plan, by putting him on his guard, but might get me into serious difficulty. Spiritual books ! They shall be the cards by which I will win the game ! Would it not assist my cause if I should become a Spiritualist myself, and thus be brought in closer connection with him ? But then I have assumed the character of a book- agent. He does not suppose me to be very rich ; this, no doubt, would be an effectual bar against my getting into his private circle. The purses of men and the charms of women have unquestionably more weight with him than any other consideration. I resolved to stick to the old card. Not three days had passed before I was at the door of No street again ; it was opened by the same female, to whom I communicated the same errand as on THE SPIKITCALISTS AND FiiEE-LovERs, 37 niy previous visit. She said Mr. Guysot was not in. "I think he will be in soon, however, won't you walk in and wait?" I accepted her invitation, rather against my sense of fashionable propriety, I confess ; but then I thought they might consider me some unpolished fellow who did not understand city etiquette, and thus excuse me. My fair conductress picked up a piece of beautiful embroidery from the parlor sofa, and was about leaving the room, when I arose and said I did not wish to interfere with her convenience, and would call another time. She took the hint, and sat down on the sSfa, and commenced working. By degrees, the formal and stereotyped phrases of fashionable conversation gave way to a free and interesting talk between us. The conversation naturally turned on Spiritualism and its supposed advocate, Mr. Guysot. I became satisfied, from her manner of speaking on the subject, that she, and Mr. Gnysot, and his wife, were not such deluded devotees to the system as they had credit for. I noticed a change in her features and tone of voice every time she spoke of Mr. or Mrs. Guysot, leading the observer to suspect that there was a closer relation existing between them than that of servant and em- ployer. As the conversation progressed, growing freer and less guarded, it became evident that her situation was unpleasant here, and that she desired to get out of it. Then the idea occurred to me of breaking the whole plot to her, and taking her in as an associate in carry- ing it out. I resolved on it, and broached the subject in this rather abrupt manner : "It seems that Mr. and Mrs. Guysot have done you some great wrong " 38 LENUEKMAN'S ADYENTUKES AMONG She started to her feet, dropped her embroidery, and with expanded eyes, and parted lips, and rigid arms, she stared at me for a moment in the greatest perturba- tion. A new thought seemed to flash across her mind her features relaxed as she spoke : "What did I say? I was only in jest; they have done me no wrong," and she tried to laugh : it was that forced, sardonic laugh that pains the hearer by its hol- lowness. "When she had recovered herself somewhat, and had sat down again on the sofa, trying to resume her work with trembling fingers and features rendered more beautiful by her spasmodic efforts to be calm, I again addressed her, as near as I can recollect, as fol- lows: " I understand the whole matter, and I think you and I are engaged in similar undertakings ; and further, I believe we can be of great assistance to each other." She again sat motionless, staring at me, drinking my words with fearful avidity. "What! are you not a bookseller" she exclaimed. " No," I answered. "I am trying to trace out a plot more mysterious and horrible than was ever written in a book ; a plot of real life, more strange than that of fiction." I here bethought me of the ring. Some instinct seemed prompting me at every step, commanding mo to advance, assuring me that I was right, although my evidence, as yet, was entirely circumstantial and insuf- ficient to substantiate the identity of Mr. Guysot with the original of the likeness of the locket. And even if it were sufficient, what then? I would occasionally ask myself. What if the drowned young lady did have a daguerreotype likeness of Mr. Guysot on her person ? Some unseen influence whispered that a fearful moral THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FREE-LOVERS. 39 tragedy was connected with it, whose horrid details would be developed by bringing these circumstances together. This influence seemed to urge me onward, and to impress me with the conviction that it M r as a duty I owed to society to trace out the history of this plot and give it to the public as a warning against a scorpion that is secretly, but too surely, insinuating its poison into the very heart of society. I drew out my porte-monnaie, and having unclasped its inner partition, took thence the ring, wrapped up in a piece of thin paper. I undid the paper and handed the ring to her, pointing to the letters on the inside. One glance was all she gave. The ring dropped from her fingers as though it had been molten lead, and she fell to the floor. I raised her beautiful form and laid it gently on the sofa. I dashed some cold water in her face, from a pitcher standing on the mantle, and she soon revived. With blanched lips and painfully expressive look, she whis- pered, pointing to the ring which still lay on the floor: "How came you by it ? "Where is she?" "Compose yourself," I replied, "and when you are sufficiently recovered I will tell you all about it." I put the ring in my vest pocket, perfectly satisfied that it had done its duty. "Oh, I am recovered," said she, rising up and ar- ranging her hair before the mirror, which frightened her at first, by the pale and terrified image it reflected. Steps were now heard at the door, the insertion of a key, and the turning of a small bolt. " They have come," she said, in an agitated whisper. " Come here to-morrow evening at nine o'clock. I shall be alone " and she rushed out of the parlor at the back door opening into the sitting-room. 40 LENDERMAN'S ADVENTURES AMONG Footsteps passed along the hall and entered the sit- ting-room. In a moment Mr. Guysot entered the parlor, apparently in not a very pleasant mood. He bought one of my books, but I imagined it was to get rid of me more than for want of the book, suggesting, as he paid for it, the possibility of his being able to get what books vhe needed in future himself, at the bookstores, and thus prevent so great a waste of my valuable time in waiting on him. I took the hint most decidedly"; it being so plain as to prevent me disposing of it in any other way. So the Spiritual Book card has played its last trump, thought I, as the front door closed behind me rather firmly. But I have another card, still more available, 1 imagine ; one that promises most certainly to decide the game in my favor. To-morrow evening at nine o'clock ! I think there is-no need of noting this appoint- ment down. I shall not be-apt to forget it. But how shall the time be occupied till then ? I was just passing the Peoples' theater. Its poster advertised Richard III Wallack ; La ; and the Fool of the Family. At the door, as is the fashion in these days of " every man his own horn-blower hung a cut of Yours, etc., WALLACK, JR. I concluded to put the evening in here as best I could. Not that I cared much about Wallack, Jr., but I wanted to hurry up Old Time an operation not often to be desired, as he generally walks too fast for the speediest of us. At seven, I found myself in the Dress Circle, with plenty of room ; the streets, being so slippery that night as to render it rather hazardous for delicate slippers to venture out. The audience, after waiting a long time impatiently for the curtain to rise, began to express said THE SPIRITUALISTS AND FKEE-LOVEKS. 41 impatience most audibly by a measured and synchro- nous stamp, the most ludicrous of all kinds of demon- strations of notice by a public audience a kind of an ironical applause. Presently the stage manager, arrayed a la mode Richard, came before the curtain and announ- ced (which operation seemed rather small business for so great a personage as Richard III), that the godlike "Wallack, Jr., having incurred the envy of the other gods by the worship he was receiving from mortals, was getting "particular thunder" from them. That said gods had hissed the elements on to this same Wallack, Jr., who was now contending against cold and terrific storms, trying to cut his way through to the City of Pork. For fear that the conductor of the ill-fated train, finding out the Jonah who was causing all this cracking of rails and smashing of wheels, should be tempted to throw said Jonah overboard (as he had a very good precedent for doing) the proprietor of the theater was continually telegraphing to him to put "Wallack, Jr., through, and not to mind the expense. What were to have been the closing performances of the evening, the lighter ones, intended to oil over the scorched wounds of the feelings, caused by the burning words of Richard, were intro- duced first, thus giving the gods time to relent and permit Wallack, Jr., to appear. This serving up of the light plays first, reminded me of a fashion my old grandfather had, of eating his pudding before his meat. The "Fool of the Family" was done to the darkest kind of a brown, and crusted over. The gym-nastie part of it was entirely original. I think it must have been conceded that never before had woman kicked higher with less accident- than the " Fool of the Family" did on that occasion. I heard a butcher boy, who hung over the gallery some three or four feet, express the 42 LENDEBMAN'S ADVENTURES AMONG wish to his comrade, that he could have been on the stage behind the side-scenes, during this acrobatic per- formance. La "demonstrated her lower extremities" (as anatomists would say) to the perfect satisfaction of all the deckhands, butchers, and old codgers in the house. It was quite refreshing to see some of the greyheaded old goats dodging their heads round to get the highest peep', although there was no need of dodging, for La seemed perfectly aware of what was wanted of her, and she seemed no less willing to gratify her admirers by showing pretty muck all the charms she was possessed of. I noticed that applause was given not when she performed any extra feat on the "fantastic toe," but when she whirled around so as to raise the vapory lawn the highest. She was called out again, but could not make the lawn rise any higher than before. After " Betty's" pudding had been disposed of, which Kid Z<3z#fo-