The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-16

Otlei, is IL QueSIlOn tiltV nave never
been able to settle satisfactorily in my
own mind. But this | do know: In
five hundred instances, | think, [ had
seen the doctor perform feats, in what
he called the science, that were perfectly
astounding, and altogether beyond my
comprehension.
The doctor was always shy about the
exhibition of his wonderful powers, but
some how his secret leaked out before
we had been long in Assumption; and
one evening at the mansion OF President
Lopez, after a great deal of persuasion,
he put Dona Marilini and her two daugh-
tiers, into a mesmeric sleep, causing them
to cut such queer antics, that Don Jose
and several guests, both ladies and
gentlemen, nearly burst with laughter,
though they were all something awed,
and | believe considerably frightened.
It was the first thing of the kind ever
seen or heard of in the country, and
they all religiously believed it to be
either withcraft Or the devils doings,
inclining strongly to the latter opinion.
The feat, performed under such cir
cumstances, advertised our modest M. ID.
everywhere among the ten thousand in
habitants of Assumption and within
three days, DR.. Charley Bond was a
GiSttU NtSul HUI lttIiOuso III lliS littN
an capital than he had ever expected to
all sorts of people, he received invi-
tations, and was leased and imporluned
to come to their houses and "asahe them
ft0any,' for Don Marilina and her daugh-
ters had assured every one that the sem
sations produced were very pleasant
The doctor was even blockaded in the
streets ten times a day, by strapping
soldiers and pretty senoras, Government
officials and garrulous old women, who
forced him to take fees and shut Mei,
eyes. IN Il week, mesmerism became a
popular furore in Assumption. The
doctor became heartily tired of the ridicu-
lous position in which his science had
placed him. And one day he said to
me
Cosmo-I'll put an end to this at the
first opportunity, see if | don't"
And he did. For that very evening,
he, with our whole party, We're invited
to dine at the house of General Marquee
De Santiago, Communicating of
the Paraguayan army, and brother-in-
law to his Excellency, Don Jose. OF
course we were obliged to attend; and
upon our arrival, at about 6 p. NJ, we
found assembled some sixty guests,
REPRESENTING VlIO OSoOVS le@oh1Oii3 s&AINt
chivalry of Assumption.
The festivities of the table might have
continued, as was customary, but for
the Impotence of every one to witness
the mesmeric manifestations, and that
shortened the period to one.
g Doctor--if you please, make me
sleep funny plead a beautiful little
seventeen year old sonora, niece to Gen.
Santiago, seated next the doctor.
In ten winks the donpa's eyes were
fast sealed, and with teaspoon she was
slipping mustard out of II cruet, calling
it du1ce.
Doctor-make my eyes Shut saba
magnificent, middle-aged lady, across
the table.
Five passes, and down went the dom
mas eyelids, and up went the sonora, and
off in blind waltz around the table,
and whirling away with hera handsome
32eota man servant. That was a signal
for general rising and universal crowd
ing around the conjurer. DR.. Bond let
loose all his powers of diablsrie, and
such another pandemonium was never
seen at any dinner party on this earth.
Ten grave dons were in as many minutes
transformed into harlequin5. Dona
Zobiede, the lady of Gen. Santiago, With
a carving-knife in each hand, was ring
ing furious carnival chime on cut glass
pendants of q costly candelabra. Gen.
Santiago was off in y brilliant balero,
swinging our little Baltimore beauty
like feather whittier he would and she
would not. The third great man in all
Paraguay, had coerced Madam Cosmo
into fascinating .1anddogo. Dona Is
mereldo, eldest daughter Of the Presi-
dent, had captured Capt. Gator, and was
initiating him into the mysteries of
the Paraguayan Doce Iurontetl0. Dona
Juez was making love to our handsome
young Boston Bohemian. The Dictator
himself was dancing like mad; and
nearly every one OF the Paraguay per-
suasion, was acting as foolishly as it WAS
possible for men, women, and children,
to do-when in on instant The doctor
dissolved the charm, and everybody
stood there dum8founded-m al
each other as ridiculously silly IS it Is
possible to imagine people.
They had got Il surtelt OF meslnefie
manifestations. DIR. Bond got rid OF all
future opportunities bat he never got
rid OF the sobriquet Of @ Don fErlos
Djaco," whilewe remained in Paraguay.
Ereailaa Post.