The morning call., 1892-09-18

firm In Melbourne, where Ii was common
thing for persons to call with their own
plates and medium and obtain Spirit photo-
graphs"
but. tor all you know. these persons
might have prepared their own plates be-
fore handing them TO you." suggested the
reporter.
''Of course. They might have done, that
without our knowledge, though l don see
the object gained"
"How can one be tricked in the matter by
an unscrupulous photographer
Easily enough. He will take lot OF
fancy impressions from old photographs
and paintings on one SIDE OF a negative.
When a customer calls he takes his impress
sion on the diverse side OF one OF these
bogus plates and then prints oil the whole
jumble Of figures"
How can one thoroughly test pho
tographer for ones own satisfaction
''By going 10 any respectable emporium
where prepared plates are sold, purchasing
there and proceeding with them to the
spirit photographers Insist on those
plates only being used. ii you get result
then You would naturally think there was
something in it"
"But, rec0llect! You must watch that
plate like cat from the beginning TO the
end Of the process.
Nothing is easier than 20 slip in
substitute plate during some part OF the
proceedings.
"You VIII generally find the average spirit
photographer will shTk that ordeal with
some lsme excuse or other
spirit photography is called fraudulent
by those who cannot understand the con-
eentratiOn of matter so refined as t. be IN
visible to he naked eye," said Mrs. i. Car
ter, who has been for fifteen years in the
pursuit OF gruesOme shadows all over the
United States.
"Of COURSE" she admitted. "there are
fraudulent photographers in our profession
as well as in any other
"Mumler was no fraud, however. He was
formally acquitted by the New York courts
of all fraud after having been submitted to
the seveIest tests.
"A prominent New York spiritualist
offered $1,000 reward to anv one who could
reproduce one OF his spirit photographs,
but it has never yet been done. Look at
the sample Of his work In Professor Cou es'
article
So you note the striking difference be-
tween il and the bogus pctures2
"Can | take spirit photograph for you?
Why notH Sit down over there"
The reporter sat upon the bench indi-
Gated.
"Can you see any spirits surrounding
me? ?" he asked, incredulously.
Il can see a sterB-lOoking man standing
right behind ycu. He looks impatient and
severe"
The reporter sighed as he thought OF the
| city editor and looked at his watch
II see little boy standing close to your
elbow" continued the photographer in
seDuIchral tones.
No copy ready yet" gr0wled the re-
porter turning tosthe devil" at his side.
But he saw nothing there.
"fhere are spirits all round you; now
| look pleasant moment"
A four-secOnd exposure and all was over.
In a few minutes the negative was brought
out for inspection, and strange visions
| showed themselves upon the glass.
Two lovely young ladies nestled up to the
reporter side.
A jealous hand reached down from the
| skies and groped hungrily for his hair
a purpoSeless old inanity gaZed mean
inglesslY out OF full moon over his right
| shoulder.
A stern old cavalier Of the seventeenth
| century frowned from the background
| upon a frivolous modern age.
But these are all strangers to me-"
sighed the reporter as he gazed abstractedly
| upon the visions of female loveliness at his
pictured side.
They are spirits in harmony with you.
1on will meet and be friends when you
| cross the boundary"
There was doubtful consolation in the
remark. The reporter plucked up his spirits
| and started TO leave.
"Of course you can't believe that that
| plate was not fixed But am prepared 10
| use plates brought to me by inquirers /
| took Mrs. General Pacheco's spirit photo
| graph from her own plate over in Oakland
| the other day. | prefer being tested said
| Mrs. Garter, as she nodded adieu.