The Washington times., 1894-06-10
SPIRIT HANDS WERE FLESH
One Fourth-dimensional Phenomena
That Panned Out Poorly.
A CONFEDERATE COMMITTEE
'The Times" Man Grabbed the Spirit Hand
and Came Into Digital Connection With
tho "kedium"-Worth q Dollar to Bee
the Fakirs Work Their Tricks.

Considerable interest has been manifested
in communication, upon the fourth dimen-
sional phenomena written to The Trxza
With a view Of ascertainIng the truth or fal-
sity OF these so-called phenomena TmRs rep
resentative was given the task OF discovering
the secret methods employed by these pseudo-
apostles OF the alleged hidden forces Of nA-
ture.
The TIMES man happened to know couple
OF "seekers after the spiritual truth"-the one
doubling Thomas. the other q willing be-
lever in regard to the spirit-cabinet seances,
which both had witnessed many times to-
gether. By mixing desire to believe with Q
proneness to doubt The TINES investigator
succeeded in arousing strong desire on the
part Of both to prove that "they knew what
they were talking about"
A weil-known slate-writing and test me-
cium, who is open for tests to all comers for
the modest sum OF 81. and whom q certain
DR.. B asserted could surely give proof Of
the fourth dimension OF space, YVES agreed
upon for the evenings ''test."
To get right down TO the events OF the
evening and narrate them rs they occurred,
.
ened room. the half curtain stretched across
one corner Of it, and the audience. small but
select, was but replica OF the many other
"circles" being held nightly In other parts OF
this spook-favored community.
The TINES man was allowed to take Q seat
against the curtain with two others, who
formed the COMMITTED" One OF these was
his friend with the ull-abiding faith of con-
viction, the other a man who said he s'had
witnessed these remarkable phenomena forty
times or more and was still at loss to ac-
count for them" Tha. he was n rank and
gaudy old fraud was subsequently proven by
THE TIMES spook catcher in sudden and
unexpected manner.
All were seated, with the medium in their
midst, hands were clasped. but, after the Pc
culiar manner OF the craft, the medium did
most of the clasping the arm OF his guardian
on the left. being apparently held firmly in the
grasp Of both the mediums hands. The
TINES representative sat on one end and held
the hand Of the man who was afterwards
proven to be the mediums confederate. This
man was to grasp the arm Of the medium and
retain it throughout the entire progress OF the
performance. How well he did it the denoue-
ment showed. All were covered with a cloth,
which reached to the chin, and thus ar
ranged the quartette awaited Developments.
Soon a tambourne back OF the curtain be-
gan to ,remble violently, as II stricken with
more alarming, till finally 1t eliminated with
afourish and a swoop and landed squareIy
on the cupola Of The TINES mans dome Of
thought.
Hardly had tho tambourine retired than a
saucy little Chinese bell with noisy tongue
proclaimed its presence, upheld by a hand
and arm distinctly outlined against the dark
background OF the curtain forming the alcove.
Then the old party who was upholding the
part OF "the middleman" with such signal
success received a resoundinS smack in the
mouth, which barely left him breath enough
to observe that he recognized little Allies
toucht'
Upon the mex. appearance ofthe mysterious
hand The TIMES Investigator thought 1t well
to scrape up a closer acquaintance with its
owner. and rising quickly to his feet grasped
it and gave Il a most vigorous pull.
The result was most astonishing to all con-
cerned
The curtain left ifs moorings and revealed
the fact that the hand and arm belonged to
the medium who was reaching around his
confederate's neck In my direction. The
force OF the sudden pull nearly unseated the
confederate, whose left hand was engaged In
holding fast to the arm Of the other member
Of the committee, who fondly believed that his
arm was being grasped by both hands Of the
medium who sat on his right.
Confusion reigned supreme. The skeptio
was ove-ioyed. the believers faith was Jared
to its foundation, the medium was incensed
and made threats. but finally offered to refund
the money If not satisfied; but The TINES
man felt amply repaid for the outlay and re-
tired with his companions, while the audi
ence remained to hold an Indignation meet
ing and pass resolutions Of sympathy for the
injured medium, after the manner OF these
fourth dimensional Investigators.