Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-02

apparition Of set of fingers appearing over the
edge Of the curtain. 1t was not destined that
the company should be gratified or terrified by
the appearance OF whole ghost all at once.
The spectral visitors were served up in dismem-
bered fragments. The fingers were soon with
drawn, and In their place appeared a full sized
hand with open palm; then another hand ap-
peared and soon the hands became as plentiful
as IL the ghost Of Briareus had enscOnced him.
self behind the screen. Following this demon
stration there rose to view above the curtain
naked forearm, with fists clinched like q gold
beater's sign. Some of the hands that appeared
were luminous with a dull, phosphorescent
light
SHAKING HANDS WITH GHOST.
The possessors of these various hands began
to evince a sociable disposition, and made known
through Mrs. Levy, by means Of the telegraphic
process described, their willingness to "shake I"
with any bold mortal who dared submit himselfto
the ghosty grasp. Several veteran spiritualsts at
once advanced and reverently touched the pros
Tered hands. THE STAR reporter was showed
forward by several females who feared that he
was not enjoying himself, and approached the
screen in great dismay, feeling that peculiar
tightening of the scalp which indicated an cree
tile tendency in the hair. A go0d-szed fist and
forearm were thrust out of the curtain to greet
him. The reporter made dive at 1t in his best
reception-day style, but the hand suddenly be-
came coy and distrustful. 1t withdrew ITSELF
then appeared in another part OF the curtain
then fluttered about In an undetermined way,
and at length seemed to make up its mind to give
the reporter a snub. Mrs. Levy. however
finally persuaded it out of this resolution. A
bTaWny hand of good healthy weight was there
upon laid upon the extended reportOrial palm
and after friendly and substantial grasp had
been exchanged the hand gave tug before
letting go which nearly precipitated the reporter
through the screen. Mrs. Levy, looking over
the curtain. chirruped in an encouraging way
TO the ghosts supposed to inhabit the frail tene-
ment. and declared that she could see them
" II You could only see the shape that Is behind
you now" she said to the medium nearest to
her. This did not strike the medium as par
ticularly cheerful thing, and he lodged his head
In apparent terror lest the goblin should take a
notion of Draining him. 80. don't be fright
ened," said Mrs Levy, noticing his fright, 81
will not describe it,
HOW THE SPIRITS FOOLED THE REPORTER
The reporter becoming accustomed to the
gbostly presence. and emboldened by Mrs
Levys ccmplacency. expressed desire to get
full view of the specter who had honored him
with his hand. He. was thereupon invited to
come closer to the curtain. Now" said Mrs
Levy, "look over. The reporter nerved him.
self for the ordeal. and peering over beheld
nothing but q disordered collection of ba1los,
dinner bells and tambOurines.
What did you see," asked Mrs. Levy, as the
reporter drew back.
Nothing"
Nothing; ha. ha," laughed Mrs Levy, s'they
were too quick for you
The reporter remained by the curtain until
the hands again began to be demOnstratYe
when he endeaVored to get another chance at
the spiritual peep-show behind the curtain.
again he saw nothing but the array of musical
Instruments. Mrs. Levy laughed, ''You can't
fool them that way" and the reporter retired Ia
discontinue to his seat. The remainder OF this
part of the performance consisted Of grand con-
1ict between two guitars, held aloft by ghosty
hahds, IN which one guitar was knocked out OF
time in less than three rounds; but the hand
that held it continued to flourish the shattered
fragments defantly like Marmon's blade in the
ar, and was only induced to desst after much
coaxing on the part of Mrs. Levy. The pro-
ceedings were then varied by an attempt on the
part of the spirits to murder one of the mediums
ny tumbng table upon him: and 1t was
deemed eXpedent to release the mediums for a
time from their perilous position.
THE REPORTER BEHIND THE SCREEN.
A new party of three, including the reporter,
a lady ana one OF the mediums, was then made
up To brave the dangers of confinement behind
the apron. The reporters head was soon Blue
Bearded on the screen. and he had the impress
sion that 1t was a very uncomfortable looking
head. You have little brother in the spirit
land, said Mrs. Levy, standing in front of the
reporter and gazing at point il the curtain
near his head.
:" If have, 1 didn't know it," said the re-
porter.
'No little brotherl" said Mrs. Levy in sur
PRISE. =" 1t is some one. o, / see. 1t is little
sister,"
The reporters attention was here distracted
by friendly punch from ghostly hand in the
rear. He thought over the matter afterwards,
but failed to recall the fact that he had ever had
a little sister who had passed to the summer
land. though the thrilling experiences of a re-
porter's life may have obliterated 80 ordinary
an event from his memory
A LITERARY DEMONSTRATION
The demonstrations during the reporters De-
Rod OF confinement were of q literary character.
The spirits demanded tablets and pencil, and
busted themselves scribbling notes to the people
In the audience and to the world at large. These
notes partook of the usual character Of spiritual
communications, and indicated distressing
vacuity Of mind. The spirits kindly prepared
on several sheets of paper q roster of the spect-
ers present, and disclosed the astonishing fact
that no less than twenty-one of them were
crowded into the little triangular space behind
the curtain. The lady who sat with the reporter
having become possessed with the idea that the
spirit form OF her deceased husband was prowl-
Ing around In her rear; and the reporter not
knowing what the feelings of deceased hus-
band might be under the circumstances felt
greatly relieved when the announcement was
made that the seance was at an end and he was
released from the encrclino folds of the sable
apron. The spirits had vanished. The mOrtals
present grabbed their wraps and overcoats, and
soon, In turn, they vanished. The cliRk Of silver
at the door where one of the mediums stood
as the guests departed, denoted that spirits az
well as the proverbial mare, are stimulated to