Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-05-29
SHADOWGRAPHS ON
WHITE HOUSE PILLARS.


New York, May 25.-The Herald to-
morrow will publish this article:
White House shadowgraphs are mysti-
flying the Washington Daniels.
Strange signs and portents are makr,
ing their presence felt ia the first. mrsn-
sion in the land Residents of the-ex-
eeutive establishment are given over
TO puazlemeut. Visitors are awesomely
regarding the most curious OF modern
phenomena. Attaches have become
prey OF superstition. Doubt is the por-
tion of the guest within the gates. The
queer bird Enigma has built her nest
over the entrance to the home of the
president, and each separate Hopping OF
the wings of mystery is attended by a
different manifestation.
Faces of the dead and gone are APP
pearing ON the pillars of the president.
ial pnrtieo. Outlines of the living are
to be traced when the conditions are
right. The quick and the dead are im'
partially represented in the solid stone
columns. From out OF the uncertain
past rises the wrath like profile OF =
statesman whose tread once resounded
upon the very stones which lie at the
base of the carven witchery. Snatch
ed from the present is the graver sug-
geStion of IL mighty counselor OF the
a al. nd kt.rp M
though the original, in his exit from
the conference chamber. had passed
and leaned his cheek against the recep-
tive pillar, there to be indelibly etched
by some magic artist. Men of affairs
and women who have helped make the
history of the nation come and 60 in
the impassive stone.
And none there is 10 interpret the
hand writing on the circular wall.
Today, the outlined shadow is that
OF Marcus A. Hanna, senator of the
American congress, rotund in appear
ance, jolly of laugh, quick of wit, Han
na, the actuality the possibility.
The outline face in high light is to he
noted on the Enthusiastically endowed pill
lar of the White House. To be exact,
the central pillar on the east side of
the portico.
What does it mean? Is it an omen of
i'll? Is it coming event of good fortune
which thus casts its shadow before?
Does the misty apparition siIhouetted
on the solid stone presage future of
happiness, prosperity and preferment.
or has the visitant u more Uminious
meaning? When the subject Of the
White House shadowgraph, for all the
world like the outline OF his own sturdy
physiognomy, is preached u laugh is
the senator's comment. He says he's
too much Of materialist to take
stock in the Hastings and fadings on
the whitened column. Materalist or
no materialist, the face OF Senator Ham
ma is there. Unassertive, yet com
placcnt, faint at times and again more
strong, bursting into prominence from
nothtngness. the lines and angles. the
curves and characteristics OF the Sena-
tor from Ohio are apparently imprinted
on prominent part of the portico.
The pillars Of the Church OF State, as
represented by the White House, are
not a. the pillars OF Statuary Hall The
latter offer Il puzzle comparatively easy
OF solution. The figures are there for
all time. or for 80 long as the columns
stand, and they may be dcciphered,
with little care. ut any hour Of the
day. Not so with the shadowgraphs.
They are defiant Of solution. "Mother
Mckinley" Queen Victoria" '.The
Pointing hand, Senator John Sher-
man." President Mckinley. 1.-The Old
Woman at the Spinning Wheel" and
'Senator Hanna" are the most start
ling forms assumed BY the ull-inscrut.
able shadow.
About the time the state Of health Of
the presidents mother became such as
to cause national alarm, the shadow
which has come to he known n .''fhc
Pointing Finger" made its appearance.
1t was seen upon the central pillar,
vague, awesome. breedful OF dread hap
penings. Various interpretations were
placed upon the marvel. Gradually
the tide Of White House opinion swept
on until it rolled vt the feet of Mother
Mckinley 'She IL is.'' decided the In
terpreters, ''who is meant" But, after
all, 1t was only hand, visible to the
inmates and visitors at certain hours OF
the day, usnnl!y around noon, and then
for only a few minutes ut Il time.