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lucrative art； the acquisition would demand time； and； meanwhile； I was
absolutely destitute of support。 My father's house was； indeed； open to
me； but I preferred to stifle myself with the filth of the kennel； rather than
to return to it。 Some plan it was immediately necessary to adopt。 The
exigence of my affairs； and this reverse of fortune； continually occupied
my thoughts； I estranged myself from society and from books； and
devoted myself to lonely walks and mournful meditation。
One morning as I ranged along the bank of Schuylkill； I encountered a
person； by name Ludloe； of whom I had some previous knowledge。 He
was from Ireland； was a man of some rank and apparently rich： I had
met with him before； but in mixed companies； where little direct
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intercourse had taken place between us。 Our last meeting was in the
arbour where Ariel was so unexpectedly introduced。
Our acquaintance merely justified a transient salutation； but he did not
content himself with noticing me as I passed； but joined me in my walk
and entered into conversation。 It was easy to advert to the occasion on
which we had last met； and to the mysterious incident which then occurred。
I was solicitous to dive into his thoughts upon this head and put some
questions which tended to the point that I wished。
I was somewhat startled when he expressed his belief； that the
performer of this mystic strain was one of the company then present； who
exerted； for this end； a faculty not commonly possessed。 Who this
person was he did not venture to guess； and could not discover； by the
tokens which he suffered to appear； that his suspicions glanced at me。 He
expatiated with great profoundness and fertility of ideas； on the uses to
which a faculty like this might be employed。 No more powerful engine；
he said； could be conceived； by which the ignorant and credulous might be
moulded to our purposes； managed by a man of ordinary talents； it would
open for him the straightest and surest avenues to wealth and power。
His remarks excited in my mind a new strain of thoughts。 I had not
hitherto considered the subject in this light； though vague ideas of the
importance of this art could not fail to be occasionally suggested： I
ventured to inquire into his ideas of the mode； in which an art like this
could be employed； so as to effect the purposes he mentioned。
He dealt chiefly in general representations。 Men； he said； believed in
the existence and energy of invisible powers； and in the duty of
discovering and conforming to their will。 This will was supposed to be
sometimes made known to them through the medium of their senses。 A
voice coming from a quarter where no attendant form could be seen would；
in most cases； be ascribed to supernal agency； and a command imposed on
them； in this manner； would be obeyed with religious scrupulousness。
Thus men might be imperiously directed in the disposal of their industry；
their property； and even of their lives。 Men； actuated by a mistaken sense
of duty； might； under this influence； be led to the commission of the most
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flagitious； as well as the most heroic acts： If it were his desire to
accumulate wealth； or institute a new sect； he should need no other
instrument。
I listened to this kind of discourse with great avidity； and regretted
when he thought proper to introduce new topics。 He ended by requesting
me to visit him； which I eagerly consented to do。 When left alone； my
imagination was filled with the images suggested by this conversation。
The hopelessness of better fortune； which I had lately harboured； now
gave place to cheering confidence。 Those motives of rectitude which
should deter me from this species of imposture； had never been vivid or
stable； and were still more weakened by the artifices of which I had
already been guilty。 The utility or harmlessness of the end； justified； in
my eyes； the means。
No event had been more unexpected； by me； than the bequest of my
aunt to her servant。 The will； under which the latter claimed； was dated
prior to my coming to the city。 I was not surprised； therefore； that it had
once been made； but merely that it had never been cancelled or superseded
by a later instrument。 My wishes inclined me to suspect the existence of
a later will； but I had conceived that； to ascertain its existence； was beyond
my power。
Now； however； a different opinion began to be entertained。 This
woman like those of her sex and class was unlettered and superstitious。
Her faith in spells and apparitions； was of the most lively kind。 Could
not her conscience be awakened by a voice from the grave！ Lonely and
at midnight； my aunt might be introduced； upbraiding her for her injustice；
and commanding her to attone for it by acknowledging the claim of the
rightful proprietor。
True it was； that no subsequent will might exist； but this was the fruit
of mistake； or of negligence。 She probably intended to cancel the old one；
but this act might； by her own weakness； or by the artifices of her servant；
be delayed till death had put it out of her power。 In either case a mandate
from the dead could scarcely fail of being obeyed。
I considered this woman as the usurper of my property。 Her husband
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as well as herself； were laborious and covetous； their good fortune had
made no change in their mode of living； but they were as frugal and as
eager to accumulate as ever。 In their hands； money was inert and sterile；
or it served to foster their vices。 To take it from them would； therefore； be
a benefit both to