The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-11

covered Eli Hughes, welknown Waterman,
his discovered six within the past eight years.
The central echo has been known for more than
half century. The effect Is due to the peculiar
c0neavity OF the dome, and can only
be O. blamed at local points. There is
hardly ", block sSd upon which listener
spending block is found and used by the speaker
II is really dangerous for man to stand upon
any block In the hail of statues and converse on
private business. listener may accidentally
happen upon the focus TO which the sound is be-
ing conveyed. and overhear what Is being said.
II was In this way that the most remarkable OF
all the whispering stones was discovered some
years ago. 1t Is the echo heard by one who
stands upon the block near the statue of Fulton
The words seem to come from under the stone
itself and are remarkably distinct and clear.
The freak was discovered by Mr.. Hughes dur
Ing the night session OF the House. While stand
Ing near The statue he heard conversation be-
tween two persons, which seemed to come from
under me block upon which he stood. He recog-
niZed Instantly that he had discovered q new
| echo. In the dim light of the hall he saw that
there were only two men present. They stood in
earnest consultation near The statue of General
CaSs forty feet away. The Waterman marked
the block upon which he stood and went over 10
them. He recognized them as acquaintances.
One was Hon. Warren c. Bennett the other
John Coniin of New York. Hughes asked Ben
nets TO remain upon the block while he returned
to his former position He then requested War
rem to recite a line from "Bingen on the Rhine"
Bennett began:
soldier of the legion lay dying in AIgiers
But no sound reached Hughes ears. He had
Bennett was facing south when lie uttered the
words. Hughes asked him TO face east and pro-
nounce The words. He still got no return. Ben
nett faced north and repeated the line from Mrs
NOrtons famous poem in the tone of tragedfan
The words dubbed from beneath the feet of the
Waterman. lie was delighted From that day
to this hardly second has passed when the Cap
ito is thronged with visitors that these whisper
ing stones a. not in use.
The other day Ashbe z. Fitch and squad of
other Congressman stood in the hall watching
strange performances. young colored gentle
man had halted upon Whispering stone iu front
OF the statue of Muhlenburg. He looked like
dandy. He carried a cane with big buckhorn
handle and wOie Il piccadilly collar with points
turned down aud as sharp as needles. His hat
was as glossy that usually Worn by General
Harry Bingham, aud the rose in the lapel OF his
oyercoat would have put William NJ. Springer TO
blush. The coored exquisite had posed near the
statue with The evident object OF attracting the
attention OF bevy of dusky beauties Sud
denly his eyebails began to roll. He started as
though touched by red-hot coal. These words
sounded in his ears:
You burker you,'get away from here. You're
the coon who has been snatching those bodies
out at the poor-house cemetery. How dare you
come here? Pr
In amazement dire the victim looked behind
the statue. No one was there. Similar words
were pouring into his ears, apparently from
close by. A stranger stood at his left looking at
the DOME but his lips were motloness.
Il know you" the voice continued; you're an
oyster-shucker down at Seventh-street Wharf"
Turning TO the stranger, who, of course. could
not have heard word that had been uttered,
the Ethiopian said:
Well dat man seems to know me. OATS
my business-oyster-s hucking. didn't know
dere was anybody here dat knowed me, but all
dat bout Dody-snaIching's lie. l nebber
snatch no bodiesi'
The stranger was as much surprised as the
darby. He thought that the negro was insane
and began TO move away from him. The darky
was apparently apprehenstve. Again he heard
the voice. stern and ringing:
you look out there now. Pm the night doctor
and II you don't be careful Pll chlOrOform YOU
and get your cadaver and cut II open"
lie b0ne-handled cane dropped to the floor.
1t was recovered and the negro moved across the
hall, where he met Eli Hughes.
Dis am de strangest place eber was in in all
my BON days-'deed 1t am" he said Use
hOw?"
IL was Eli who had put up the Job. He had led
the victim into the trap by calling his attention
10 the beauties Of the statue aud then left MIN.
kennedy at the other eud OF the line fur
nshiDg amusement for both Hughes and Ftch'S
knot OF Congressman.
On another afternoon a Boston drummer was
inspecting the hall. His attire was elegant and
his manners graceful. He carried cheap rat
tan cane in one hand and light spring 0yercoat
upon his arm. He halted near the statue OF Full
ton pulled cigarette from q little case and
scratched match upon the sole OF his shoe. A
hoarse voice burst from underneath his feet:
elbow out that match" were the words. I'VE
allow no smoking in this ROOM"
AS quick as a flash he blew out the match and
threw 1t away. Then lie assumed a nonchalanI
addressed him. or course no one was near. He
bit his lips and fonded his mustache with appar-
ent unc0ncern.
PUT on your overcoat," said the same hoarse
voice: NOBODY ought TO walk through this hall
with hls overcoat on his arm. On with it!n
Inc drummer. TO use commercial expression
was very nip. Speaking parenthelically, he