817 B. From the Proceedings S.P.R., vol. ix. p. 33.

In this case the conscious desire of the agent seems to have been the predetermining cause of the percipient's impression.

The percipient, Mrs. Hadselle, writes to Dr. Hodgson as follows:-

28 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, Mass., May 28th, 1888.

Less that two years ago a curious thing happened to me. I had been in Wash. Co., N.Y., giving half a dozen readings, and was on my way to Williams-town, where I had spent a part of the summer, and where much of my worldly goods, in the shape of wearing apparel, was safely stowed in my room at the "Mansion House." With ticket purchased, I was serenely seated in the car, box, bundle, and bag beside me, the conductor's "All aboard" was at that instant in my ears, when I sprang to my feet with the force of an inward command, "Change your ticket and go to Elizabeth (N.J.). Change your ticket and go to Elizabeth. Change your--" Here a gentleman in the opposite seat - an utter stranger - rose and said: "Madam, have you forgotten something, can I help you?" I said: "Do you think the train will wait for me to change my ticket?" For there appeared to be no alternative. As I spoke I moved towards the platform; he followed, and seeing that the office was but a few steps distant said: "Go, I'll see that you are not left." I did go, and in a moment more was on my way to Elizabeth, though I had not before even thought of such a thing.

Next morning, on reaching my friend's house, she threw her arms about me and sobbed out: "Oh, I have wanted you so." Then she led me to a room where an only and beloved sister lay in life's last battle. In an hour it was ended.

My poor grief-stricken friend declared then - declares now - that my sudden change of purpose was a direct answer to her repeated though unspoken demand for my presence. And who shall say it was not? I wish to add that while I had learned by letter of the sister's illness of a chronic disorder, I did not suppose her case hopeless; indeed, from the fact that no tidings had reached me lately, was hoping that she was on the road to recovery, and had I been questioned concerning her that 10th of November 1886, should have replied confidently, "She will without doubt last through the winter." My friend, by the way, is, much more than I, a believer in psychical phenomena.

(Signed) C. A. C. Hadselle.

Dr. Hodgson writes:-

Mrs. G. - the friend referred to - has sent me her corroboration, dated March 5th, 1890. The date of the incident, she states, was November nth, 1886. She says:-

"I had not expected Mrs. H.; did not at that time know where she was, so could not have summoned her had I wished to do so, - but in my trouble there grew upon me a great desire for her presence, and I said many times, 'If she would only come. If she were only here'.

"My sister's failure at the last was somewhat rapid, but of this Mrs. H. knew nothing, and when she told me of her sudden change of purpose, hundreds of miles away, I said: 'The impulse was sent you in answer to my wish,' or words to that effect".

The gentleman who helped Mrs. Hadselle to change her ticket, the Rev. James Wilson, then of Greenwich, N.Y., writes in answer to Dr. Hodgson's inquiries:-

March 20th, 1890.

I recollect the circumstance of "assisting a lady" at Greenwich ticket office, who exchanged her ticket at the last moment, because of a change of purpose; and it was in November 1886. She sent me a few lines afterwards, detailing certain facts touching a sick friend at the point of her destination - not clearly recalled at this moment J. T. Wilson.