Morning journal and courier., 1886-01-06
FOSTER, THE MEDIUM.
An Easy Solution of Some of his Mos
 Famous Tricks.


 FOSTER, THE MEDIUM
 An Easy Solution of Some of his Most
 Famous Tricks.
 From the Philadelphia Newsl
 Some years ago, when Foster was giving sittings on Girard street at $5 sit, he was visited by friend of mine, man of intel feet and common sense, and yet when he came away he was in completely dazed con- dition of mind, not knowing what to think about what he had witnessed Let me relate one thing that amazed him. He was ushered into small reception room and told to write his name on a piece of paper and with his own hand seal it in an envelope. He sat down before the only table in the room and wrote his name-we will assume it to be John Smith as directed, taking care to so conceal the writing that it could not be seen from above from any other direction He placed it in an envelope, sealed it, and held it in one hand. The attendant then withdrew. In few moments Foster entered and eyed his visitor with piercing glance, as though reading his innermost thoughts. Suddenly extending his right hand he eiaculated: ''How are you, MT. John Smith!'
 The visitor started back in surprise as he certain Foster had never seen him be- fore. "How do you know my name?' he wonderingly inquired. In deep tones Foster replied: ''It is written in my blood'' With that he barred his left arm to the elbow, and, seizing the still sealed envelope from MT. Smiths hand crumbled it vigorously over the under and tender part of his arm. Over that member he spread glow through which bright crimson lines appeared, and in few moments, emblazoned on the arm in fiery let oc Smith" be amazed visitor at Fosters in- vitation, tried to wash the letters out with water, but the more he rubbed the brighter they became, until he was convinced-which was the fact-that the letters were beneath the skin and were caus by the mans own blood. Wonderfull you say and that is what I said when ! first heard of it. But didn't believe it was supernatural, for the very simple reason that If disembodied spirits are roaming around us they have cer- tainly something better to do than to be writing names on mems arms in order to en- able lazy scoundrel to put $5 note in his swelling purse. Now that know how the trick was done I am surprised only at it's sim plicity.
 In the first place, Foster had to ascertain his visitors name. This he did by simple device. When Mir Smith sat at the only table in the room he was unaware that be- meath the writing was what is called "ropy- ing paper" an oiled and blackened sheet, which, when placed beneath the paper one is writing upon, conveys the impression to another piece of paper baneath it. The same copies in type writing. A hard pencil was placed where MT. Smith would pick it up, and in order to write his name he unconsoiously bore down upon the copy paper. The at tendant expertly withdrew the copy and carried it to his employer. Now to prepare for the blood act
 Bare your arm to the elbow. In the right hand hold thin piece of steel, but with ghtly-rounded edge that will not cut. As you probably do not possess such an instru- ment, take portion of very stiff visiting or business card, and bearing it's edge rather hard upon the under portion of your arm, follow the outlines of any letters you choose. The result will be barely discernible white lines that soon pass away. Five minutes later, with your hand on Q crumbled piece of paper, rub that portion of your as wig orously as you can, and you will be surprised when you see the letters you have out lined appearing beneath the skin in the full vividness of your own blood. Now you see what Foster did. He marked the name "John Smith" on his arm, drew down his shirt sleeve, put on his coat, and walked in the reception room. His rubbing the envelope over his arm was simply intended to delude John Smith with the belief that his name was conveyed from the enclosed paper to Fosters blood. Simple, isn't it2 Yet it is far more complex than most of the medium istic tricks. There are endless varieties of the deception.
 I am familiar with many simple instances in which Foster figured, most of which could be traced to & natural source and explained on non-spiritual grounds. Part of his modus operandi, for instance, was to go to a town like Haverstraw N. Y, and closely tI1Av ba in after that he picked up all the town gossip possible about prominent families and their antecedents. Then he would travel, say to Yonkers, and put up at the best hotel, where ne would watch the register for arrivals from Hayerstraw. He managed that it was brought o the attention of all Hsverstraw men that the great Foster" was ill the hotel Ere luently he became familiar in advance with he faces of his victims, and startled them when they entered his apartment by greet ng them by name.
 The visitor would be requested to secretly l write the name of deceased friend on a l piece of paper, which he has to fold in a cer- | ain manner and place on table. When | his had been done Foster would exclain, ! Not folded quite right, my dear sr,'' and, |! topping forward, he would make slight 1 hange in the arrangement of the bit of paper. | n that brief moment and before the eyes of ! he visitor, Foster, by his wonderful sleight- | I-uanu power, WouIo e1change TOT the paper | ontaining the name piece similarly folded | 'hen, returning to the corner of the room, eading the written name as he walked he | would bare one arm and by rapid move aeut of a sharp stylus-the ancient instru- nent of writing-he would outline the letters s I have already described Turning and ubbing his arm or holding t tightly at the Vrist it became engorged with blood, he would startle his visitor with the dead mans | anne displayed in letters of blood. Having hus proved spirit control and presence, he Tould Ht down and write {. message SO full of he tombstone lore and town gossip he had &C., qired that the visitor became fully con- inced that the communications were from mother world.