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Death and its Mystery: After Death – Camille Flammarion

The following appeared in Luce e Ombra (Rome), Nov, 1905. Annales des Sciences psychiques, Dec., 1905: 

In 1882, Count Charles Galateri grew to know a certain Virgini, a former officer in the grenadiers. Their conversation turned at times to a discussion of spiritualism. Monsieur Galateri tried in vain to convince his friend on the subject.

One day, half seriously, half jestingly, the two comrades promised each other that the first who should die would warn the other of this fact. And how? By tickling his feet!

Several years went by.  In November, 1887, Monsieur Virgini told his friend that he had again taken service with the troops in Africa.  On the night of Sunday, August, 1888, Monsieur Galateri was in bed, when his wife, who was beside him, said to him a trifle crossly, “Keep still!"

Her husband asked her if she were dreaming, for he had not stirred. She said again: “Keep still, I tell you! Don't tickle my feet!"

Since Monsieur Galateri continued to deny doing this, they thought that some insect might have got into the bed; they lighted a candle and looked carefully. Nothing! They blew out the candle and got back into bed. But at once Countess Galateri started and cried out: "Look! Look at the foot of the bed!"

Her husband looked and saw nothing, but she persisted: "Yes, look; there's a tall young man, with a colonial helmet on his head. He's looking at you, and laughing! Oh, poor man! What a terrible wound he has in his chest! And his knee is broken! He's waving to you, with a satisfied air. He's disappearing!"

The next day, Countess Galateri told some friends and relatives of the experience. On Tuesday, August 14th, the newspapers announced that a band of native troops commanded by Captain Cornacchia and by Lieutenants Poli, Brero, Virgini, and Adam Aga had been attacked near Saganeiti by the Abyssinians; Virgini, the last surviving officer, had been struck on the knee and. then killed by a bullet in the chest.