The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-17
A CO|NC|OE NCE2
Fall of Picture First
News of Gen. GIenn's
Sudden Sickness.

In connection with the attack suf-
fered recently by General Jim Glenn
brother and private secretary to the
Governor, there is a story which
marks a queer coincidence and will
afford to those who believe in por-
tents and telepathic connections food
for thought and vindication of their
theories.
1t will be remembered that General
Glenn was away at q summer resort
at the time that he had the attack
of indigestion which was first thought
to be apopleXy. Apparently he was
in good health and his family and
friends felt no uneaSineSs on his ac-
count. The news of his sickness
came as a distinct shock to the whole
however, by the coincidence which
is referred to.
In the dining room of the executive
mansion there is hung General Glenn S
picture among others on the wall.
Presumably the hanging was carefully
attended to and there was no reason
to suppose that the picture would
when the news of his sudden sickness
came by telegraph, the photograph
fell suddenly from the wall.
At the time the Governor and his
family were at luncheon. The picture,
without disturbance, and apparently
from no cause fell suddenly from its
hanging The FAINT were startled and
there was natural comment.
Said the mother of the Governor,
who was visiting at the mansion: Il
am afraid something has happened to
Jim" The Governor and his family
laughed at the notion. 1t was only d
short while after the meal had been
completed, however, before a telegram
arrived stating that General Glenn had
suffered the stroke, then thought to
be apoplexy.
And what lends the incident the
greater significance, if Significance
there be, is that Mr.. G. NJ. Busbee
who was present in the hotel with
General Glenn at the time, states that
after q comparison of notes, the time
of the falling of the picture and the
hour at which General Glenn was
stricken are synonymous.
There is in the occurrence that food
for conjecture between the real and
the unreal, between that of the earth
and the dimly OWNED Super-sensltlVe-
necs of personality which makes of
life something moro than a physcal
mystery. 1t is quite popular to laugh
at portentS and to snap ones fingers
at ghosts and the prankS that related
objects seem to delight in playing on
sensitive nerves. 1t might be said, of
course,-and doubtless that is the true
explanation--that the support OF the
picture had been weakening to the
breaking point and that the time had
come for it to give awav. OF course
the sickness of General Glenn had
nothing to do with the falling of the
picture-oh, of course not! But at the
same time, the picture picked out that
moment to fall-and there you are!
Look at a photograph of a friend
intently and feel the almost uncon-
scious sense of near"~~~ that comes
even to the most practical brain. Gaze
into the pictured eyes and you catch
the reflection of-what? No one
knows, all feel it. Imagination, it
doubtless is. and yet. Behind the
cold substance of cardboard there is
an Elusive somethin~-not admitted
and yet present rejected and yet in
sistent And If the picture falls
what a shock, almost a physical touch
You wonder. Through the years, over
distance straight to the mark flies
the mind to the half-forgotten friend.
Somewhere, pausing. does he stop anu
think of you? Through the mists, does
his mind strike for an instant at the
raSt? Who knows?
After all, when such things happen,
perhaps the best course is to be frank
~ superstitious and to take the sign
on faith Because, whether it is de-
sired or not, everybody is superstitious
anyhow.