The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-08-17

and yet in small quantity of this pow
Lder lies relief from all the miseries of
life. Don't shrink back; it is innocuous
| in small doses, produces merely pleas
ing languor but in such a Quantity as
a teaspoonful, it produces lethargy !;
twice the quantity brings on syncope !;
thrice, inevitable death. I have often
ventured as far as the second stage, but
have always stopped short of the third.
And have brought back this much as
surance from the world of shadows ::
consciousness ceases altogether at the
second stage. There are no dreams in
the sleep of death.
ssThe preliminary stage of lethargy
is delightful often indulge in Ii; but
I have had doubt sometimes whether
I might not possess an exceptional
physical organization; whether the herb
would produce exactly the same effects
on others. I determined to try the ex-
pertinent on larger scale. came here
tonight to do it. I have noticed that
the frequenter of these rooms, on pea
soup nights, which are frequent, takes
one plate of soup, to which he adds one
spoonful of mint. Well, watched my
opportunity. I came here as soon as
the rooms were opened; and whilst the
walters back was turned, emptied the
contents of the plate of mint into my
pocket and filled the plate with my own
powder. The experiment was
bold one, for might have caused the
death of innocent persons. How aver, 1
persevered; the interests of science over
power considerations of humanity. The
experiment has completely succeeded.
Each habitue of these rooms has swal-
lowed his plate of soap, his spoonful of
precious herb; each has gone through
the state of lethargy. There are some
now, you observe, passing through that
STAGE
I threw an agonized glance around.
Sure enough, there were two or three
men lying back in their chairs, their
headsunk on their breasts, in state of
complete lethargy.
"And," he went on, 81 can see the
symptoms of the approaching lethargy
upon you-the dilated pupil of the eye,
the expression of anxiety III the face;
yes, all is perfect; the symptoms are"
"But," gasped, 81 hare taken three
spoonsfuli" -=e
martyr of science!'he cried, springing
up and grasping me by the hand" how
carefully, how painfully, I will watch
every symptom of your declining vi
tality! Dear friend, your case will be
an era in the history of humanity.
Like Curtius you have leaped into the
chasam for the public veal
''But isn't there an antidote?" I gas
ped; ga remedy"
ssThere is none; and were there, you
would not go back from the noble path?
Ny dear friend, initiate the example of
the ancient Roman; a quietude, q seren-
ity in your last hours is indispensable
for the proper noting of your phenome-
na."
stBut I won't die!' I shouted, get
ting up. My limbs tremble beneath me;
1 felt the very chills of death upon me.
CT won't! Iwon't!" Here screamed.
''Send for doctor-for policemen.
Quick quick I'm poisoned"
All the lethargic men jumped to their
feet, the walters came running in, the
proprietor appeared, pale and wonder
ing.
''I'm poisonedl' shouted; poisoned
in the mint! Send for doctor, you
FOOL do you heara'
''Mad!'' said quiet voice; mad as a
halter. Poor fellow! he's subject to
these fits. He'll fall down directly;
look out for him?"
'But I'm not going to have the char
acter of the house taken away for no
mad freaks. What do you mean sir,
by attacking the quality of my victuals
sir?''
cit was he,' I shouted, pointing to
my friend, 'who now seeks to screen
himself by calling me mad. But, good
heavens! will you see fellow creature
perish! perish! perishl"
''There, don't aggravate him." said
my friend. ''Put him in cab and send
him to police station; he's sure to have
been advertised for"
| I was dragged and hustled from the
room, and hurled into cab. Two or
three policeman had come up, and one
took charge of me inside, while another
mounted the box. was quiet now,
overcome by my struggles, and lay ex-
hausted in the corner of the cab, waiting
the insidious advances of the deadly
narcotic.
Presently the cap stopped. "We've
got the chap they advertised for" cried
the man outside TO policeman who was
lounging at the door of the police sta
| ton.
''The deuce you have !'' said the in
spector, coming up. ''Then you've done
a good job tonight. There's fifty pounds
offered now. Take him right off to the
asylum at once. Let's have a look at
him though. Why, this isn't the man
at all this amt Medhurst! Low, you
ought to have known better. Red, full
moustache, dropping eyelids, aquiline
nose-why, they're as different as light
from darkness
''What Is Medhurst mad % said.
light bursting in upon me.
eyes, as he been PLAYING INV of his