Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-10-03

At n0ll past clynt . CLOCK the young man
arrived, and was introduced by Mr..
Blonger to his friends, as young Amer
lean who did not care to have his name
announced. The stranger was dressed in
a rough suit, the worse for wear, and
wore slouched black hat. His hair
was brown and straight, his eyes were
large and bright gray in color, and his
face was as destitute of beard as wom-
ans. He was above the medium height
and very slender, and his age was appa-
rently about twenty-four years, though
he might have been older. He was evil
IDENTIFY but little used to the society of dis
tinguished persons, ard at first appeared
somewhat embarrassed at his position,
but there was an expression of iirmness
about his mouth that showed n strong
will and habit of having his own way.
When he spoke it was with the air OF
man who knew the ground upon which
he stood, and his manners Were those Of
one who felt that he was the inferior of
no man.
The jantor having been dismissed and
the door locked, Mr.. Bonger proceeded
to explain to those present why he had
called them together. His young Amer
lean friend, he said, had convinced him
that he was in possession of prodigious
secret, of the magnitude of which they
could judge when it was presented to
them.
| Tho whole affair at this point came
near being broken off in disgust by an
unexpected requirement which the un-
known stranger cXacted. He declined to
proceed unless all present entered into
an agreement not to communicate what
they might witness, to any living person
for period OF ten years, without gaining
his consent. Tho Right Honorable c.
was on his mcttlc at once. lie washed
his hands of the whole matter, and desired
to retire Immediately. The others were
equally indignant, and expressions not
considered elegant in high society were
heard, 1t required all Mr.. Blonger's sa-
gacty to qucl the storm. But the young
man was immovablc, and at last, at the
earnest solicitation of Mr.. Blonger, the
guarantee was given. The stranger then
tool, the stage, and his auditors the sea,'
Immediately in front of it.
Gentlemen" 4" he began, "fron what
have noticed of your incrcdulity this
evening, am satisfied that if | should
inform you that the attraction Of gravita-
ton could be so suspended that objects
upon the earth's surface would have alb
solutely no weight, and further, that !
was in possession of the simple means
whereby this is accomplished, you would
, only greet my assertions with jeers and
rdicue. | shall therefore show you
what ! can do first and talk afterward.
You see in my hands this coil Of wire,
blue like tempered steel. This cannon
weighs nearly three tons. | wrap the
wire around it. If you listen carefully
II n will hear burning sound, similar to
At made by nm electrical machine. But
has nothing to do with the matter.
ends of the wire are Joined. This
non now weighs no more than soap
We bble. You see | move it about through
= -, air with my hand, with two fingers,
r,,,h one. Here is a strong oaken chair.
y lace the cannon upon it, and when |
hdraw the wire, mark the result. The
3 p r goes crashing to pieccc under the
ght of three tons of iron"
-C'his conclusive proof of the grandest
eovcry ever yet made by man brought
TRY person to his feet. Mr.. Bonger
I'D apart in triumph. The young ex-
kitor alone remained unmoved. How
t. - done ?" cried they all. How did
u N make this wonderful discovery?"
It Hy now looked upon him with the awe
eS feels in the presence Of superior be-
f. raised his hand and requested 81,
md be. "The action OF this simple wire"
aid he, sis not confined 20 metallic sub
tai hoes. Its effects on all objects is the
an BE-. put it round this wooden bench
IS you see, and the bench weighs nothing;
ard 2und this chair and the result is the
sars be. Here is this large iron SHIFT and
thJ Jse wheels. You perceive that itnilects
alIalke. Perpaps you think it has no
power over living substances. You are
mi ktaken. | will agree to put this little
wire round my waist, and step from the
dome of st. Pau's. | will show YOU"
A ladder extended from the floor to
tho lofty ceiling Of the hall. The stran-
ger climbed to its very summit, adjusted
his belt, and sprung boldly off. lie slowly
unclasped the ends Of the wire, SO that
they scarcely came into contact, and de-
seconded gradually and safely to the floor,
to the infinite relief of the spectators, who
gazed horror struck at the scene.
"Thus SOU see, gentlemen," said he,
again ascending the stage, "whnt powers
lie hidden in nature, until they are acci-
dcntally stumbIod upon. You AL Of yuu
think there j. some power contained ia
this wire. ! must tell you Lhat the wine
has but little To do with it. Aud yet
viii agree to 60 down to any Of your sea
ports and put this wire, or one like it,,
round any Of your old seventy four gun
ships we read of, and lit it into dry
dock with line no stronger than pack
thread, if the wind is not blowing at the
time. This wire, at which you all gnze
so curiously, has no power in itself. 1t
is only the means OF communicating n
power; stil, no man shall examine it,
except under certain conditions; and this