Echoes of the Past

Men look at women, Women look at men. They make eye contact and pass on going about their daily routine or business repeating this action so many times during the day it is not possible to count. So why do we do it?

I have a question for you. Have you ever just out of the blue stared at someone and they have stared back at you, they may be alone or they may be with someone but that makes no difference to either of you. It is a stare so intense it feels they are looking into your very soul. Whilst this happens the outside world seems to fade away you hear nothing, you see nothing except that person infront of you, and yet when something breaks the link neither of you can say anything. Neither of you scream about political correctness or how you have just invaded their space, you just go your seperate ways or you say hello as if you have known them all your life.

For thousands of years people and various religions have believed in reincarnation, in the belief they would transcend death and be reborn. The most famous is the Delhi Lama. When old one dies does his soul really pass on to a newborn child? It just might, one thing is for sure when the new Lama takes his place the whole world accepts him as the rightful heir.

Sarah Sampson was one such soul. She sat pensively at her writing bureau in the study. It smelt of old books and worn leather, she gazed out of the window that over looked her vast estate and the ornamental gardens that lay across the rear of her home. A gentle breeze began to move the curtains as it entered through the open French window, bringing with it the scent of summer flowers and mown grass. Before her lay a piece of lavender scented writing paper, the nib of her pen rested on the edge of a small glass ink jar. She had received a letter from her husband James’s great aunt informing them both of her intention to visit them. Sarah was at the point of not knowing how to reply, the breeze past through the room brushing against her cheek bringing her to her senses. She inhaled slightly the familiar scent of the garden in full bloom as it carried on through the room. Staring at the blank sheet of paper, she took hold of the pen dipping the nib into the ink and drew it across its edge letting the excess roll back into the jar and she began to write.

Dear Aunt Jane,

How lovely to hear from you after all these years; both James and I are so pleased to know you intend to visit us; it’s been so long since you have graced our home with your presence, both James and I shall be with the carriage that  meets your train.

I have requested a light supper rather than a large evening meal as I know how travelling
upset’s your stomach. You will be pleased to know that the annual flower show committee has asked James if they may hold this year’s show on the estate, a point of which I have made in my diary and will be in progress when you arrive. It will be so lovely to see you again, I look forward to your arrival.

Your loving niece

Sarah.

Placing the pen back into the silver holder and picking up the half- moon blotter she placed it on the letter then gently rocked it from side to side several times. Now satisfied the excess ink had been taken away she blew upon it just to make sure that the ink was unable to run. Satisfied she folded the letter twice and placed it on to the envelope and she began to fold in the four corners which met perfectly in the middle. Picking up the red wax stick she warmed it over a candle then allowing it to drip on to the meeting of the four corners, the letter was sealed. Sarah picked up the envelope and blew gently on the wax seal cooling it to make it hard enough to allow her to write the address on the front. As she blew the seal a hand came to rest upon her shoulder, Sarah let her cheek rest on it for a moment.
“I’m just replying to your Great-aunt Jane’s letter dear, I’m so looking forward to her visit.” She closed her eyes at the warmth of his touch as the scent of the rose garden outside the doors once again passed threw the study.
“When is she due again? I’ve had so much to do of late I had totally forgotten she was coming.”
Sarah smiled at the thought of James being so busy not to have remembered his great-aunts visit.
“It’s in the diary darling, I knew you would forget.”
The wax was dry as she placed it back onto the desk and once again drew the pen from its holder and began to write the address. James withdrew his hand sharply.
“I told you before it was not my fault and I’d forgotten, I’ve been too busy.”
James felt he had been reproached by Sarah for forgetting.
“It’s alright darling, that’s why I wrote it in the diary, because at some point I knew you would look.”
It was too late for Sarah to placate him the damage was done, “oh so now your trying to say I’m absent minded?” Sarah was becoming concerned at the way his mood had changed so quickly. Sarah knew what was coming and finished blotting the front of the envelope then stood offering both her hands to James.
“Darling please, let us not argue on such a beautiful day, come walk with me through the garden,” she said holding out a hand and taking a step towards the French doors.
James took a step back making it clear he was in no mood to do anything with her.
“Please James,” Sarah pleaded once more.
James huffed his answer, “I’ve things to do. I will be home for luncheon.”
With that he turned and left via the windows.
“James Please?” she called once more, it was no use.
Sarah moved to follow him but all she could do was watch as he stormed across the lawn.

Sarah had met James whilst on a visit to family in London. He was so handsome and polite, even calling upon her uncle to ask permission to see her. During the time they had spent getting to know each other he was kind, courteous and very attentive. He was witty and seemed knowledgeable about most things. She remembered how he spoke of the impending horseless carriage soon to grace the streets of London, and how it would be so much quicker to get from A to B by this new mode of transportation. It was all she could do to stop herself from marrying him there and then on the spot.

Things had only begun to change once they married; it was made clear to James by Sarah’s family solicitors that the estate would not pass to him if Sarah was to pass, nor would he have full control of any day to day or future running of it. At first it did not bother him he had what he wanted, Sarah!  For the first few years they lived the dream life, they travelled across Europe and saw so many new things. It was to be the happiest Sarah would ever be. She loved James now as when they first met.

The cracks began to appear when the couple returned from there travels and James began to familiarise himself with the estate, he had discussed with Sarah plans to make the estate more profitable, but it was her money he was planning to spend. James soon discovered that any major changes to the estate had to be passed with the approval of Sarah and at least two of the solicitors looking after the purse strings. These stipulations had been put in place by her father just in-case any unscrupulous male would take her heart and her money.

The day had grown too warm for the dress Sarah was wearing as she climbed the stairs to her room. The maid had lain out on the bed a dress Sarah had chosen earlier that morning. It was sky blue with a white lace frill; it was the one she wore when James proposed. It was so much lighter than the present dress she was wearing. The bustle at the back was now all the rage in London and a lot easier on her back. The maid began to unbutton the top half of her dress and helped her remove her arms as it dropped to her waist; she hoped it would now please James after the scene in the study. Her present attire fell to the floor as the maid finished the unbuttoning. Sarah stepped out and stepped into the one the maid now held. Sarah slipped in her arms as it was buttoned up from behind, she moved to view herself in the mirror.
“Perfect,” as she straightened the bottom half and pulled at the shoulders, “that will be all thank you Mary,” the maid curtsied and left the room. 
Sarah stepped towards the window and looked out over the gardens with just one thought running through her head ….. James.   
Now ready she returned downstairs and entered the dining room, the table before her seated 35 people and was mostly used for large dinner occasions, but of recent years the occasions had grown less and less. Sarah gazed upon the lone two place settings for her and James; they looked somewhat meagre and saddened her heart. 

A selection of cold meats lay on the dresser to the left hand side of the room; James was stood at the far end looking out of the widow.

“Hello darling,” Sarah moved to greet him kissing him on the cheek.
A broad smile lit his face as he gazed upon her, he did remember the dress she thought. “Mmm… that looks positively delicious darling, shall we eat?”
Sarah returned to the dresser and picked up a plate and looked more closely at the selected offering.
“Here darling I’ve already prepared a plate for you,” James passed her a plate.
On it was just the right amount of everything, Sarah smiled as she took it from his hand, this was the James she knew and loved so much. He was his old self again and the incident in the study had passed, just like she knew it would. He just needed time to himself to calm down.
A butler and maid stood at the end of the room ready to cater to anything else the couple wanted whilst dining, Sarah raised her hand slightly and the butler moved to the dresser.
“Yes my lady,”
“Peter would you fetch some wine please a white would compliment lunch to perfection, what do you think darling?” James looked at his plate and then at the remaining food on the dresser.
“That would be lovely an excellent choice,” he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“White it is then Peter,” she said confirming her choice.
“Yes my lady,” he left to fetch the wine.
Sarah allowed James to sit at the head of the table, but it was not her fathers’ seat that was at the other end, a fact that had not gone unnoticed by James.

“Darling, why must we sit in the draft from these doors all the time? It’s a lovely day we should be sat in the sun as it pours through the windows warming the other end of the table.”

Sarah knew what he was hinting at but had no time to reply; the butler returned with the chosen wine and moved to serve Sarah first. She placed her hand over the top of her glass, the look on the butlers face showed that he knew he had made a mistake. He moved to fill James’s glass; again it had not gone unnoticed. The butler poured a small amount into the glass, instead of sipping to taste it, James threw it back in one go.
“Yes that’s fine,” he snarled.
The butler had only taken a step back and was now standing at the side of James’s seat. James did not give the butler a chance to pour as he placed the empty glass upon the table. “Well go on man or must I die of thirst before you fill the dammed glass?” he shouted. “James!” Sarah chastised him openly, “that was just ill mannered and rude.”
In reply James slammed his hands onto the table and rose.
“Must you always belittle me in front of the servants?” He rose from his seat swiftly pushing the chair back from under him with his legs, and turned to leave. James pushed the butler out of his way with such force he stumbled backwards a few paces.
“James!” Sarah called.
He stopped and turned upon reaching the door, “When you decide that I am the man of this house let me know, in the mean time I have things to do,” James stormed out and slammed the dinning room door behind him.

Sarah began to cry, the butler placed the decanter onto the table and gestured the maid to join him as he left; closing the doors gently behind them Sarah sobbed uncontrollably.

She could not understand why James was acting this way, he did not need to be the man of the house as he was the master! She never stood in his way and always gave him her full support in anything he did; he was after all her husband.
Sarah began to collect herself; she wiped her eyes and straightened her dress, the scales of married life where steadily moving heavier in favour of her unhappiness and something had to be done. Picking up the small silver bell that lay next to her on the table she flicked it from side to side, as it sounded the butler came back into the room.
“Yes my lady?”
“Peter send a messenger and invite Mr Summers and Mr Peterson to come to the house as soon as possible,” the butler bowed his head, turned and left.  It was just past six o’clock when the two solicitors arrived, they were shown in to the drawing room. Sarah had sat there the rest of the day waiting for them, she rose as they entered.
“Mr Summers, Mr Peterson, thank you for coming at such short notice.”
“It is a pleasure Mrs Sampson I assure you, but what is the urgency?”
“I want you to draw up a legal document giving my husband James my half of the estate.” Both men were stunned into silence and looked in surprise at each other.

“I don’t think that is possible Mrs Sampson for you see under the conditions of your fathers will, your inheritance of half the estate was to be protected at all cost, on the understanding that Messer’s Harding and Harding your family solicitors would run the other half in your interest.”

“I know that, but it has to be done for the security of my future happiness,” Sarah explained. “I’m sorry Mrs Sampson, but it is just not legally possible,” explained Mr Summers.  
Sarah sat back in the chair, “surely there must be a way?” now sounding defeated.
“We are truly sorry Mrs Sampson,” Mr Summers said this time with heartfelt sympathy. “What exactly does my fathers stipulations say?”
“In terms you can understand Mrs Sampson, your father has secured the estate from going outside the direct family, it can only be passed on to those of direct blood line,” he continued.
“Is there no way I can give my husband control of the estate?”
“For as long as you live Mrs Sampson, the estate must be run by you or your successor, by that I mean a child born in to your union with Mr Sampson,” Mr Peterson explained.
Sarah knew the situation was way beyond waiting for a child to solve it.
She rose from her chair, “then forgive me gentlemen, I have brought you here for nothing and wasted your time.”
The men in turn rose to their feet, “not at all Mrs Sampson it was as ever a pleasure to see you, and should you have need of our services again or that of Harding and Harding; please do not hesitate in anyway to contact us,” the two men turned and left.
Sarah had now come to her wits end; now not knowing what to do for the best, for without this she did not hold out much hope for the future of her marriage.

The butler re-entered the room after showing the solicitors out and gazed caringly at his mistress.

“Will that be all, my lady?”
“Yes thank you Peter,” the butler stepped backwards and took hold of the door handles to close them knowing there was nothing he could do to ease her obvious pain.
“No Peter wait,” Sarah called urgently.
He re-entered the room quickly, “Yes my lady?”
“Bring all the servants to the dinging room, All of them mind,” puzzled by her request he left to do as asked.
Fifteen minutes later the head of household appeared at the drawing room door, “all the servants are gathered in the dining room my lady.”
“Thank you George I shall be along in a moment,” he bowed his head and closed the door.
 Sarah gathered herself and her thoughts as she approached the dining room.

There were fifty or so servants stood waiting her arrival, not knowing what was going on they began to talk amongst themselves speculating on what could be the matter.

Sarah entered and moved to the dresser to address them, “it would appear that My Husband is not being treated correctly by this household,” she began.
“My lady I assure you not one member of your household has ever disobeyed an order made by Mr Sampson,” said George.
Sarah took a deep breath, she knew he was telling the truth but she knew she had to take a firmer stance, “That is exactly why I have called you all here.”
“My lady?” replied George.
“Did you not hear what you just said?” she repeated his words, “My Household, and His Orders; that’s just it My Husband should not have to give orders for you to do something, don’t you all understand what I’m saying?” silence filled the room, “your our servants you work in our household, in future anyone found not doing as my husband asks of you as you would do it for me will be asked to leave my employ.”
The servants became restless and looked to each other for support.
“I would be grateful if you would tell the rest of the staff that are not present George.” Sarah hated herself for what she had just said and gripped the edge of the sideboard. George and the rest of the staff nodded consent and left the dining room, leaving Sarah to ponder on what she had just said.

The following months proved that her idea had worked, everyone on the estate never again questioned anything James said, and it was also a few months later that Sarah discovered she was to have their first child. As her pregnancy advanced she became less able to run the estate, the news of which had reached the ears of her solicitors. A motorcar drew up to the front door, it was Messrs’ Peterson and Summers, they removed their gloves and goggles and placed them on the front seat. When they entered the house they were taken straight to Sarah who was now sat with her feet up on a wicker stool on the terrace outside the study, the weather was beginning to cool as the season changed it was now early autumn, but still warm enough for her to be outside. The two men came and stood next to her.

“Gentlemen, I was not expecting you,” Sarah tried to rise to greet them now holding her stomach as she did.
“Please don’t get up Mrs Sampson, this will only take a moment,” explained Mr Summers. “What brings you here?”
“It’s just a small matter of the child Mrs Sampson.”
“What about it?”

“We at Messer’s Harding and Harding believe its time to sign the paperwork protecting the child’s inheritance of the estate should anything happen to you during its birth,” said Mr Summers.

“God forbid it ever would Mrs Sampson, but we have a legal duty to cover all eventualities,” piped Mr Peterson.
“Sarah,” James’s voice called from inside the house.
“I’m out here darling,” James joined them on the terrace.
“There’s an automobile outside the front door!” Sarah looked to the two men.
“Gentlemen,” James nodded in recognition, he moved to kiss Sarah and stood holding her hand, “how’s your day been darling?”
She did not reply to his question but led straight in to the reason the solicitors came, “I didn’t know they were coming, they want me to sign some papers regarding the baby.”
“What papers?” Sarah felt pressure growing on the hand held by James.
“These Mr Sampson, regarding the inheritance of the estate by Mrs Sampson’s child,” James squeezed her hand tighter she instantly felt ill.
She knew he had become annoyed, at the choice of words Mr Summers had used.
“It would appear by your choice of words sir that I had no part to play in the arrival of this child?”
“I meant no offence Mr Sampson,” Peterson humbly apologised.
“There is none taken Mr Peterson,” all the same James let go of Sarah’s hand and returned to the house.
Sarah was almost to tears and could do nothing, she held out her hand to take the papers. “You will need to sign here, here and here, Mrs Sampson,” Peterson explained as he moved to her side.

The deed done the two solicitors bid her good day and left, Sarah rose from her seat and moved into the study.

James stood at the fireplace with a drink in his hand, “all sorted are we?” he hissed.
“James please, I told you I did not know they were coming,” Sarah said moving to his side.
She placed her hand upon his arm trying to reassure him, “so you say?” He finished the last few drops from the glass and tore himself away moving to refill his glass.
“Darling please don’t start drinking this early,” he spun around throwing his glass in to the fireplace, the noise brought one of the servants into the room.
“Get out!” James shouted, Sarah raised her hand to reassure the servant she was alright and he left.
“James Please!” she begged him.
“So now I have to beg for money from my own child, is that what those vultures wanted?” “No darling, the papers they had me sign where in-case something happens to me, it’s to make sure our child wants for nothing until it comes of age, there was nothing sinister about it.”
“I’m going out!” Sarah knew he would go to the local inn.
“Please James I’m begging you let me explain,” she moved to stop him and took hold of his arm, “Darling Please?” she begged and pleaded with him.
He pulled his arm from her grasp to shrug her off then to her surprise he took hold of her by the throat.
“I will never leave you and you will never be rid of me,” he then pushed her away, the force of his actions pushed her over.
“James!” she cried out.
Sarah tried to stop herself by reaching out for the occasional table, but it crashed to the floor just as she did, James kneeled over her as the study door burst open.
“Fetch a doctor quickly,” one of the servants ran to do as she had been ordered.
“This was your own fault do you hear me? It was an accident,” James snarled.
Some more servants then entered the room, they stood shocked.
“Help me take her upstairs,” James snapped.
Two servants collected Sarah from the floor and carried her to her bedroom.

By the time the doctor arrived Sarah was in a bad way, James paced around the drawing room praying Sarah would not tell what had happened. He began drinking heavily now filled with guilt; the hour grew late as once again he looked at the clock on the mantelpiece. The grandfather clock in the hall began to chime eleven; the door to the drawing room opened and servant announced the doctor behind him. He was still putting on his coat as he passed his bag to the servant, James asked the doctor how Sarah was faring and he informed him that the baby had been lost, James contemplated how his life had now changed as he looked deep into the fire for a moment. Now frustrated by his actions and the news from the doctor he turned from the fire then back hurling his glass in to it, the fire flared for a moment as the contents of the glass spread through the flames and ignited.  Sarah passed away on the morning of the 11^th February 1865 at 01:25 am. James carried on drinking, eventually to succumb 8 years later to liver failure……..

If an innocent life is taken before its time, does the soul move on to complete its journey?

Does a soul have a limited time to find its chance or opportunity to complete its life?

If they are not successful do they then fade into the fabric of life to become echoes?

Soul-Mates: Are these echoes who have loved so deeply and lost that they are allowed to travel through time to find each other, they may be born on opposites sides of the world but somehow they come together whether by fate or design who knows, and how long have they searched for each other? But one thing is for sure, they know each other on-site, they still have the same interests. The similarities between them are amazing, It has been documented how so many couples who count themselves as soul mates experience Dejavou.

Malevolent Spirits: Are these echoes who have cheated death to somehow seek what they have been cheated out of, James Sampson was one of these echoes, he had felt the loss of his wife so greatly that his malevolent soul was destined to find Sarah, as it searched the memories of love slowly dwindled, and it was his bitter hatred that had survived. When finally they met they were drawn to each other like a moth to a flame, neither could explain why they wanted to be with each other, but she eventually knew she could not love him as deeply as she should, and he did not know why but he knew he could never let her go, and so the cycle began again. He would never let her be free and she desperately struggled for freedom.

I still have one question unanswered despite what I or even you or everybody believes, I want to know at what point does a body develop its own soul, or are we all just Echoes of the Past?




Until the next time............. Repus Vas