Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-11-27
The. CAPITOL DOME.
Freaks of Sound That Scare Many visl
ors to Washington.

Freaks of Sound That Scare Many Visit.
to Washington.
A reporter saw fat colored woman
the other day standing in the passage
about third OF the way up the dome.
She was dressed gorgeously in purple
bombazine, and carried a handbag and
cotton umbrella. She weighed about
$50 pounds.
Laws, chile" she said in a fright
ened whisper II heahs voices. Dis
buildin' is 'jes full OF voices. Dey's
ebrywhar bout An them chilluns
done gone up an left me, and yer is.
Nun, ! don much like dem voicesi
Use afeard I'll nebber git out oh dis. "
She was trying to be calm with a great
effort.
"Dese voices are a great source OF
fear and superstition to simple-minded
visitors. Country colored people par.
ticularly are frightened at the voices
they hear among the clustering col.
umns and arched passages. Some
times the voices come up from under
the feet, sometimes from the sole
stone arches overhead Again they
sound from among the shadows In 8
corner where nobody is. They are heard
In the crypt, still more mysteriously
IN the old hall, whore there are plenty
OF people stirring around in u flood Of
sunlight, and more strangely still in
the great dome, from whose height,
men have committed suicide. The
building is always full OF echoes.
desc voices are cherry whar." With
these many OF the employees OF the
Capitol and others fond of practical
joking play upon the nerves OF the
superstitious colorod people. Some
times the jokes are played on people
who arc not superstitious. The saucer
like canopy, upon which the great al.
iegory roofing the rotunda is painted
acts as sound boa,N, aud win convey
the least whisper with perfect distinct
ness from any place in tho upper gal
lery TO the point opposite.
When sentimental couples get close
together In this circular gallery and
lean over the rail, watching the people
moving about on the floor OF the rotun-
din below, and whisper gentle things TO
each other meant for no other ears
but their own, they are often over
heard by innocent young men who
happen to be lolling on the opposite
side OF the gallery. as fnr away us
possible. The young couple may
be. startled by some most in
opportune remark sounded in
their ears when no one Is near them
Al II most tender moment, an ir-
reverent or jocular remark is startling
to their sense OF security. When
parties OF tourists climb up to the
dome they are often astonished to be
addressed by name in the most familiar
way by II voice from one of the al
logorieal terrors painted on the canopy
above Sometimes they are invited tC
come up and take lunch. A party o
Ohio people were In the gallery talk
ing to zach other about their homt
matters A young man on the othe,
side of the gallery listened until he
got tho names OF several of the party
Then he called out: lis that you, Mr.
BlankP Why, how do you dop Com,
up hore; we have lunch here for~Ohi,
folks" The voice apparently cam,
through the canopy, from some cham
Der still higher up. They were no
astonished that the Government shouh
make special provision for the enter
t,tinment of Ohio folks and tho
promptly accepted the invitation. Tn
whole party trudged up the very stee
aud dangerous flight OF stairs lead
ing up to the worm-light, ut tn
head Of which they were me
with notice; "Visitors ne
permitted TO go higher" And Their
was no lunch anywhere in sight
Some OF the ladies were anxious to &c
down as soon MS possible.
Two colored men leaned over the raj
under the allegory and talked abou
Lynchburg, whispering mysteriousl
about things strictly private to them
selves. A young man lolled agains
the rail just opposite them~too IA
away TO hear. They did not mind him
Directly voice came out of one of tn
painted figures over their heads, arm
ing them to go back TO Lynohburg
surrender themselves, and repent Q
their wrong-doing.
WAS 1t murderp" the voice inquired
''De good Lo'dw cried the two trem
bling men as they made break for tn
stairs,
Another very old ex-slave was nc
cused by u voice that appeared to com
from the mouth of the figure suppose
TO look like JetI Davis OF being "a run
away Niger" and threatened with III
whipplng-post Or return TO slavery
These things surround the dome wit
mystery, bat such would not DO pei
mitted II the perpetrators could b
caught at it, - Washington Star.
Ctlhsfit,ita fn, Crar,,tiop