The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-09-14
Guard Against Skeptics.

Skeptics are "steered" away from the
stage and are seated by the suave and
unctuous Arnold in the body Of the audi
ence where they are surrounded by the
faithful
In front Of the stage is a dark curtain
which extends from wall to wall At the
right of the stage is doorway the cur
tain sweeping the lintels. This door is
beyond the reach Of any person in the
audience.
Close to the door is a music box of
the Swiss style. placed on a table. After
the audience has assembled. the faces Of
the people are carefully scanned by Ar
hold. and the lights are turned off. Only
one small candle power lamp, at the eX-
treme rear of the room is left lighted.
This casts pale ghostly eerie light over
the audience, and serves to heighten the
weird effect
With the dark curtain across the front
of the room. and with the sickly rays of
the lone light at the rear. IT is almost i'm
possible to more than distinguish your
nearest neighbOr. Outlines of the other
spectators are dim and indistnct. one
cannot distinguish features and faces two
feet away.
While the audience cannot distinguish
anything in the almost total darkness.
the light is so placed that the medium
officiating can command the entire room
with a glance. and can discern In an in
slant if any effort at exposure is to be
made.
At the same time it is almost impossible
TO keep him in view, by reason Of the
darkness and the dark background
against which he stands
Faces Show Sorrow.
4 glance over an ordinary audience at
one Of these seances. before the lights are
| extinguished. shows that the majority of
persons there are women. The faces of
many bear the indelible marks of pog-
nant sorrow. Many of those i'm the audi
ence are from the poorer classes, and
some faces show that they have not
more than the average intelligence, that
they are susceptible and confiding. Here
| and there a face is seen that shows the
marks of more than ordinary intelligence
! and cultivation. Some few are fashiOna-
! bly, dressed. These. in a majority of
cases. are attracted by curiosity. although
| the Arnold Dickson Brothers have sue
| ceeded in gaining the confidence of a few
! persons who are wealthy and educated.
| These are separated from their money as
| rapidly as they will stand for the game
AS soon as the lights are extinguished.
a stiffness like that of the tomb settles
| over the room. Then the music box is
brought into play, and the audience is led
| I'm song by Arnold. The songs are the
ancient hymns and melodies in Protestant
churches in the past. Among the favor
| ties are shall We Gather at the Riv-
| err" Nearer. My God. to Thee" and
There's a Land That Is Fairer Than
| Day"
The darkness. the air of waiting for
| the unexpected, and the ghostly effects
! en- rapport with the medium. and after
the sounds of the music have died away
| there is a pause of silence so intense that
| one can almost feel It,
Spook Parts the Curtain.
A pause OF several seconds ensues
which is broken by shadowy film ap-
pearing before the black curtain. Their
| the curtain is drawn aside. and n ghost
\ " aDparition is seen The white gar
/ ments glow with a softened radiance OF
| phosphorescence, and as the spirit be.
| comes visible TO the audience, il an.
| nounces name IF IL is not recognized
at once it disappears, and another take:
| its place.
The spirit never speaks aloud. but
whispers in soft but penetrating sib.
| liant tone.
Suddenly the total silence is broken by
| a straining voice that cannot conceal tn,
| tears that lie ready to start at the slight
| est suggestion.
rs that you Mary?' asks a woman.
voice. the pent-up sorrow 0f the tone
| giving a heart thrill to every listener
| Yes" answers the spirit"
How are you getting along dear?'
| asks the grieving relative.
oh. very well here" comes the wills
pered answer II am so happy here
There is no sorrow and no pain and n