The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-06-13
W 7 S O z Z + a n z o U S
The Mysteries of MeSmeTism.
a Scene at a Social Party.
BY ONE THAT WAS THERE.

A merry party was assembled III the
narIor Of \ friend nor long since, ana
merry time had the guests, if we may
;udoe from the continual excitement which
was kept up by the principal spirits of the
occasion. Many good joke was perpe-
trated. and many bad one was enjoyed
at the expense of some one present.
Among the fairer portions Of the guests
was one Miss Sarah H, who Is be-
loved and admired for all her accomplish
ments and natural kindness of heart, while
she is dreaded for her keen satire. and her
aptness at the execution of cruel and prac-
tical Jokes.
Miss H had reigned supreme during
the evening, and nearly every guest pres
ent had suffered from her wit. Among
those who had suffered in the most cruel
manner was Charley E., who was not
bad at such innocent amusement himself,
and who was resolved to pay Miss Sarah
IN her own coin.
The conversation turned upon mesmer-
ism. Charley said he had put to sleep
any quantity of young ladies and strong
minded young gentlemen, in his day, and
facetiously remarked that he fanered
himself on being as good at it, as Parson
-.
with pair of plates, said Charley, 81
can accomplish as much in the putting to
sleep line as the parson can with one OF
his dullest sermons
',Nonsense!'' cried Miss H.
"Nonsense?" echoed Charley assuming
sullen earnestness; "perhaps you think
| can't put you to sleep.
"Perhaps dol" laughed Miss H.
81 think | could convince you in few
minutesI'
THAT you could put me TO sleep!"
"Yes," exclaimed Charly with admlra-
BILE enthusiasm. .And if you will let me
try, pledge myself to accomplish the
task, or furnish the ysters for the whole
company"
"The oysters!' cried Miss H; 81
take you at your offer"
land you will give me fair trialF'
"Yes."
"Agreed, then!''
And Charley to the delight of the whole
company, who were fond of fun and oys-
tiers, commenced making preparations for
the apparently hard task of putting the
bright ewes Of the wide awake Miss H,
in mesmeric sleep.
SnaTi6y SdlQ lIldl Ho OpCidtCu WIN Pio'NS
He also remarked that some plates were
better than others, and said he must go
with Mrs. s., the lady of the house,
to her pantry, to make choice of such spe-
cimens of crockery, as would best suit his
purpose.
Charley was occupied some time in ma
king his selection of plates, and the COM
pany. whose appetite for fun and oysters
was becoming very acute, began 10 grow
impatient.
At length. however, Charley reappeared
with very sober face, and said IN serl-
Gus tone:-
81 couldn't find any plates to suit me
exactly, but mean.to have trial at any
rate. The best could find were some
dirty ones, piled away in one corner
which Mrs. s. is washing for the pur-
pose. While she is producing them we
may as well make choice of good posi-
lion Miss H.
"Sirr' said Miss H, pertly.
You can hold your countenance be-
lieve!''
81 rather think L cam
"Well, you must, or | cannot put you
to sleep. If you laugh the charm is bro
ken. The company may laugh at the
oddity of my motions, and presume they
will, but you must not, for if you do, |
shall be under no obligation to produce the
oysters"
Miss H thinking the whole trick
consisted in this, and supposing Charley
felt sure of making her laugh by the ludic
rousness of the scene, readily entered into
the arrangement.
Charley then placed two chairs facing
each other, directly IN the centre of the
room, took his seat in one of them, and
requested Miss H to occupy the other.
according to my improved method of
mesmerism," said he, with imperturable
gravity, "you will be required to look me
lntently in the eye, and to initiate my mo-
lions invariably"
"Yes sir,'' said Miss H.
Charley then took hold of her wrists,
and looked her in the eye, while the ladies
and gentlemen present gathered about ca
ger for the fun.
'The plates!" cried Charley.
1.-The plates!'' echoed Miss H with
equal gravity.