The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-11-25
VOLUME XIV.

body?" l inquired, intending to humor
her delusion
"That can easily explain" she replied.
"YOu have doubtless heard that there Is
in India a secret sect of devotecs, who
term themselves Thugs"
al have read of that detestible fraterni-
ty in the Wandering Jew of Eugene Sue" ;"
l responded.
Your strong expression, at which |
take no offence, shows that you are not
unacquainted with our principles. ANA
Thug, and veil the fact by assuming the
name of Thugleigh."
1t struck me that a thicker veil might
have been afforded by the name of Smith
or Brown, but did not interrupt
al therefore, on principle" she pro-
ceeded, "offer at least once month hui
man sacrifice to the Goddess Bowanee,
whose effigy you see in that corner"
81 would rather not have known this
circumstance" said /. "Indecd, as your
society is, as you say, secrect, 1t seems to
me that you break your rules by making
me your cOnfidant."
"NOt at al" she remarked, smiling 81
am convinced that my secret will not go
any further"
"You have a high opinion of my dis
cretion," / rcjoined, endeavoring to look
flattered
81 have no opinion whatever on the
subject" she calmly remarked. I" For all
| know to the contrary, you may be the
veriest chatterbox in the universe. But
of this l am sure, that dead men tell no
tales, and have selected you for the next
victim. Now, don't be alarmed. If you
do not like it, you shall not suffer any
pain" ONhile talking thus she advanced
towards a shelly at would, indeed, be
more regular to strangle you with a white
scarf, or to slay you with one Of these
knives; but as you are victim of SUI
perior order, can afford to dispense with
extreme formalities, and allow you to
swallow the contents of the little vial l
now place in your hands"
"POisOn?" inquired, with horror.
Yes" she answered, land of SO effica-
cious IA kind that it will cXtinguish life in
moment, without the slightest pain or
inconvenience. When you have expired,
your body will be conveyed through this
aperture; through which many-ah, how
many have passed before"
With this she touched spring, where
upon the idol sunk behind the stone, and
wall, with a wide mouth opening on dark
ness.
Horror gave place to indignation.
"This is all very well, madam" said l !;
"but if you are lunatic, am not bound
on that account to swallow poison, and to
be put out of sight like posted letter"
Resistance is useless" she said, draw
ing forth a revolver and pointing it full
in my face "This might hurt you,
whereas the vial causes no suffering
whatever. You had better choose the
latter"
had never realized till that moment the
feelings of Fair Rosamond
"And when," she proceeded, "the god
dess grows impatient, the jaws of her pro-
wider are more extended"
This was the fact, and l was inspired
with sudden resolution. One road of es-
cape was obvious, and, in fit of dcspera
ton, l leaped into the open mouth head
foremost, like harlequin.
Again few moments of darkness, during
which heard shrek of female rage, and
when this had passed, l found myself in
neat little study, looking at slim gentle
man, trinity dressed, and especially re-
markable for the perfect arrangement of
hair. He seemed to be rather startled
"Well, James," he said, "you need not
have taken me unawares like this. / did
not so much as hear you knock"
My name is not James; but reiOiced as
| was to find myself in room where the
image of Bowanee was not part of the fur
niture, l did not deem it expedient to cor
rect the error. Indeed, / was beginning
to stammer out an apology, when he
fortunately prevented me by saying,
quickly:
No matter-no matter. am only too
happy to show you the successful result of
my little experiments"
l expressed, in turn, my happiness at
the proposed instruction. He proceeded
thus:
"The greatest discoveries in practical
science often, as you are aware, have a
comparatively childish beginning. The
steam engine itself was, in its earliest form,
a toy; and it was by means of a boys kite
that Franklin drew the electric spark
from the clouds. l have devoted myself
to bubbles. You SMILE" l had done
nothing of the sort az do not refer to
those hollow commercial enterprises which
are stigmatized by that name, but to bona
habit of blowing from an ordinary tobacco
|
So saying, he dipped the bowl of an or
binary pipe into small basin of fluid, and
with evident exertion, blew fair, rounG
bubble, which, when detached, rested
upon the table.
Just touch that" he said.
/ did so: the bubble did not burst but
was as firm as if it had been made o
glass
"NOw you see the nature of my inven
ton" he continued, smiling with eviden
satisfaction. q" add to the saponaceOu
fluid, vulgarly termed soap-and- water, al
ingredient the nature of which shall no
reveal, and which has the effect Of render
ing the bubble permanent. You may dasl
that bubble against the ground, or strik
it with the hammer-stillit will not break
All you have TO avoid is contact wit
fire Observed"
He lighted lucifcr match, and apple,
it to the bubble, which, with report lik
that of a small cannon, exploded SO instant
ly, that he was thrown to the ground as
stricken by athunderbolt However,, h
rose smiling, and, rubbing the part tina
had been most inconvenienccd by the fall
quietly said
There is no occasion to repeat the eS
pertinent ?"
Decidedly not" was my remark
There is one point, however, on which
am curious cannot sufficiently admir-
the singularity of your discovery, but
, am at a loss to perceive its use."
, "Oh, that can easily explain" was hi
! reply. Not only have L discovered tn
| ingredient which hardens the saponaceOu
fluid, but / have invented method {
blowing which enables me to enclOs
whatever object please within the pr'
cincts of bubble. Look herep
HeDpened a cabinet, and showed me
: collection of humming- birds, buttcrfiic
+ statuettes, and other objects that are con
monty put under glass cases, each enclose
in hardened bubble | acknowledge
that the invention was admirable.
yes" he said, 81 think it is; and
) will soon go forth to the world as Bubble'
} worth's patent. But have not come