Sullivan Republican

A Freak of Lightning

A freak of lightning, probably more remarkable than any hitherto recorded, has occurred near the small village of New Salem, Vt., at the foot of the Heldeberg Mountains. Arent S. Vandyck occupies an old mansion, in the parlor of which hung a collection of revolutionary swords, one of which was heavily plated with silver.

A terrific thunder storm came on a recent night, and one terrible crash aroused the household. All were stunned for a moment but, recovering, they hastened to discover what damage was done. Suddenly the younger Vandyck pointed to an old fashioned sofa. Upon it lay what was apparently the silver image of a cat curled up in an exceedingly comfortable position.

As far as the shape and posture of the animal were concerned it might have been a live cat, each glittering hair was separate and distinct, and each silvery bristle of the whiskers described a graceful curve, as in life. Father and son turned toward the swords which hung upon the wall just above the sofa, and there saw that the sword had been stripped of all its silver.

The hilt was gone, and the scabbard was but a strip of blackened steel. The family cat had been electroplated by lightning.

In one of the panes of glass in the window was found a round hole about the size of a half dollar, where the lightning had evidently entered. There was a charred streak across the sash where the electrical fluid had made its way to the sword, down which it had passed to the cat, carrying with it the silver which it deposited upon the animal. Of course, the cat was instantly killed, and therefore remained in the position in which it was quietly sleeping when the flash came.

It is thought that the plating of the cat's body will prevent decay, and that probably it may be retained among the collection of curiosities, which is more remarkable than all. Local scientists are puzzled by the occurrence, and one of their members of the Albany Institute is investigating the case.—New York Sun.