Fifty Years a Medium – Chapter 11, 4/12 by Estelle Roberts
I had never heard of Bessy Manning. I did not know whether there was a Mrs. Manning, or whether there was a Canterbury Street in Blackburn, but my confidence, built on years of experience with Red Cloud, was such that I knew the spirit information was correct.
On the following morning, without the slightest doubt in my mind, I sent this telegram to Mrs. Manning at 14, Canterbury Street in Blackburn: “Your daughter, Bessy, spoke to us at Red Cloud’s circle last night.” I received no reply, so I telegraphed again. Two days later, on the Monday, there were two letters from Mrs. Manning.
The first one read: “I don’t know whom I have to thank for the great joy you have given me. I thank you with all my heart and soul for the telegram I received last Saturday. I wanted to shout it from the house tops. I laughed and cried all at once. What a wonderful spirit Red Cloud is, and how good and kind you all are! I feel sure you will carry your kindness further and let me know what my Bessy said.
“Oh, the glorious happiness to me and mine! In my next letter I shall defray the cost of the telegram. Please don’t be offended. It is only fair. How can I ever thank you enough? That bit of paper is more to me than untold gold. I will pray with all my heart for all of you, and especially for Mrs. Roberts. You will tell me, won’t you, if she sent me a little message. It is a wonderful, glorious truth, and again I thank you so much. Also my husband and my other two daughters thank you.”
In her other letter Mrs. Manning wrote: “I have received your second telegram. I am sorry to have caused you to have to send a second one, and I am thankful for your wonderful kindness. You must not have received my letter which I posted on Sunday. I was very happy to have been able to send you a return telegram, as things are not very bright at present. I want you to understand how grateful we all are. We would do anything possible to repay your great goodness. You don’t know what it means to us.
“My daughter passed on last Easter Monday, and my son was killed nearly nine years ago. Had it not been for getting in touch with the Spiritualist family, I would have been raving mad. I am longing to know what Bessy said. I want to comfort others as I have been. We don’t get real good mediums here. It must be great to hear Mrs. Estelle Roberts and the other great ones. I wish I had the glorious gift. Again, I thank you so very much.”