Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-09-09

over their backs and shoulders. There
are certain nerve centers on the shout
ders and along the spine that are pc
culisrly sensitive, and there ar e
thoroughly explored by the weird fin
gers. The hair is pulled, the ears are
tweaked, and both OF the victims
made intensely uneasy. Then there is
sudden movement at the opening in
the curtains The anxious watchers
catch faint glimpses of white fingers
plucking at the folds. Suddenly, so
suddenly that the strained eyes Of the
watchers can hardly realize it, spirit
hard darts into sight at the opening
and as quickly disappears. 1t comes
again and again and beekons mystic
riously. Other hands seem to dart out
over the heads of the sitters.
All this Is easy for the practiced me-
dunn. Once the hand is free, and the
hand must be free, all sorts Of tricks
may be played. Freeing the hand is all
that is necessary or at all difficult.
When the hands have been made 10
appear the spiritualist suggests that a
musical instrument be handed TO the
ghosts as it is possible that they will
play it about the room or in the cabi-
net behind the curtain.
Strange to say 10 spirit is ever able
to pick out anything more than a
mere ghost of melody on violin or
mandolin, one of the spirits seems
to be a musical genius. Some one of
the watchers lifts the musical instru-
ment from its case and holds IL up to
the curtain. The white hand reaches
out and draws it into the darkness.
Slowly and very family the thrum-
mings begin on tn e darkened and
hidden side of the curtains. The
music rises and falls and grows fainter
and futhef away. 1T seems to come
closer and grow louder in volume. Then
the sound rise high in the air appar-
emily as though the violin was being
lifted and played along the ceiling.
In the half light the whole thing
seems uneXplainable. But to the me-
dunn ii sdistressingly simple. The long
fingers of those practiced and deceiv-
ing hands run nimbly over the strings
and notes sound faint and far or loud
and near at his or her will When the
music seems near at hand the strings
are touched with much greater force.
When the violin seems to be- play.
ing in the far corners of the room 1t s
position is changed ever 50 little and
the notes are low and muffied.
None of the tricks of the mediums is
harder for thu scientist, TO ex plain than
the cold winds. Inthe hands of Palla-
dino it seems particularly successful.
She has perfected it until it almost
defies detection.
But with that freed left Hand the
creation of these mysterious breezes is
a very simple matter. With a hand
kerchief the left hand starts to agitate
the air just back of the curtain. The
whole is absolutely neiseless. Any
thing that happens to lie within reach
of the curtain will be used TO fan the
air into motion. A book, newspaper,
or magazine may get within the
range Of the active and powerful finger
of medium, but if not, he always has
his handkerchief
One of the most spectacular feats of
the modern wonder worker is the firing
of the revolvors or rifles placed in the
cabinet at his back. 10 all appear
ances the medium never moves, and
yet in a few moments time the ex
Ploding cartridges begin to roar in the
narrow cabinet. No matter in what
part of the cabinet the guns are laid,
the hand of the decelver is always able
reach them. With that capable left
hand on the weapons the mere firing
of them is a question of but very few
secon is. No matter what he is doing
vi INV nOiiitd may DG, Llg face OF
the medium must be as impressive as
that of the SPHINX. He must keep up
a continal flow o, talk addressed TO
the spirtes and TO walchful sitters.
Phe medium must oe the master OF
the situation at all times.
Frequen ly The spruaiist IN dunn
submits to berg tied by his iuvesti-
gators, and even then is able to cause
some astounding manifestations.
Yards and yards of rope aie used to
bind him until he is absolutely help
less. He is thenlelt to freed by his
spirtes. The ordinsry medium is
walking arsenal of hidden safely razor
blades. They are hi den all II rough
his clothing. Within few SECONDS
after he is left 10 himself in darkness
he is free. | have been tied in some
peculiar positions, but have always
managed 10 free myself within few
L.