The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-11-08
THE IRON CHAMBER,

1t was one cold December night lust
as was preparing to retire TO bed, that
heard violent pull at the bell, which
answered in person. found it to be a
messenger from Mr.. Sloane, requesting
my immediate presence.
| saddled my horse and soon reached
Mr.. Sloane's dwelling. 1t was large,
old-fashioned mansion, with so many
windows in it that one would at first sup
pose it to be a factory. | was shown at
once into Mr.. Sloane's bed-chamber, and
found my patient reclining on the bed,
dressed. His face was flushed and he APP,
peared feverish.
Well" said he, when | had finished
my questions, "what are you going to
prescribe for me?"
Nothing" | replied.
What do you think there is nothing
the matter with me, them"
On the contrary, / believe YOU are
quite Ill, but there is no medicine that
Will do you any good. You have nc
bodily dlsease-yOu are merely suffer.
ing from over-exertion of the brain
Rest that, and you will get well di-
rectly."
L.
you are the smartest physician that has
appeared in these parts for long time
You have exactly hit it. | know that
my brain is over-worked. The fact is
doctor, | have invented The most extraor,
dinary-"
My dear sir" interrupted, /" must
not permit you to talk about any such
matter now. Try to sleep, and avoid
especially any thought on the subject
which has brought about your present
condition. | shall call and see you to-
morrow, and if you follow my advice, |
shall expect to find you much better.
At the end of week Mr.. Sloane was
fully restored to health again, and | al
lowed him to converse about his grand
discovery. lie was, however, not very
explicit, and all cleaned was, that he
had invented something for the punish
ment of criminals convicted of capital
offenses, which was to supercede hang
ing. But of what it was he gave me no
idea.
One night, about six weeks after had
made his acquaintance, he hurriedly
sent for me. When | visited him, /
found him strangely nervous and ex-
cited. / began to wonder why he had
sent for me, when he suddenly said:
doctor Mansfield, | believe You are a
stranger in this part of the country%'
Z" | am, Mr.. Sloane"
You have no relations here?"
None-what few relations have liv-
ing, reside in New York"
"The reason | sent for y.u tonight,
DOCTOR" said he, "is that tomorrow |
expect my nephew here on visit, and |
don't,want him to know anything about
this grand discovery of mine. As he
will remain with me an indefinite length
of time, | do not know when [ may have
another opportunity of showing you my
complicated apparatus"
l bowed, and signitied to the speaker
that | was quite ready to examine what
he had to show me.
My host took a lamp from the mantel-
piece, and begged me to follow him.
We continued to ascend flight after
flight of stairs, until we reached the top
OF the house. Mr.. Sloane ushered me
into an immense garrett; in fact, it occu-
pied the entire space of the
upper story of the house. I was
so fatigued with my ascent, that | was
glad to throw myself on a chair to rest.
When | had done so, my host turned his
lamp to the middle of the apartment,
and its rays fell on an immense cylinder,
which bore more resemblance to a
gasometer than anything else than [ can
think of. But this was not all, the cell
ing was covered with wheels and complex
ooh y,f IL. !
not the slightest idea.
What is that" asked, turning to
Mr.. Sloane.
THAT is my apparatus, he returned
| walked up to it, and struck it with
my knuckles. 1t gave out a clear metal
lie sound.
" Iron?" said |, interrogatively.
Yes, iron, replied Mr., Sloane.
Doctor" said he, !" have been five
and twenty years at work on the machine,
and only put the finishing touch to it
yesterday. Every particle of work or it
was done by myself. You are the only
person in the world besides myself land
perhaps my nephew, who may suspect its
existence,) who knows anything about
it."
:" But, Mr.. Sloane, what is it for? Is it
a gasometer?"
Mr.. Sloane cast on me a look of supreme
contempt, at my ignorance.
"No," said he, 1T is not a gasometer.
Would you like to see the inside of it,"
Certainly" | replied, Il am quite
curious to know what it can be-"
Your curiosity shall oe satisfied" he
returned. And taking key from his
pocket he raised one of the iron plates,
and revealed a key-hole He inserted
the key ana small door flew open-so
small, indeed, that we had tn stoop quite
low on entering. Mr.. Sloane entered
first, and followed. | found myself in
a circular apartment, which was equal in
size 10 4 room fourteen or fifteen feet
square. | walked over the iron floor and
sat down on chair. Mr.. Sloan no SOON
er saw me fixed there, than. with sud
den movement, he darted through the
door again, and closed il with sudden
bang after him.
Come, Mr.. Sloane" | exclaimed. in
an angry tone, this is too much of Il
loke-let me out instantly
The only reply | received was wild
laugh-a laugh that froze my blood-for
my professional experience enabled me
to detect that il was the laugh of ma
MAC.
Doctor" he exclaimed after pause
of a few minutes, Il wish Won a very
good evening You will have to pass
the night in your present abode. Before
night Is over, you will be able, doubt
less, TO understand all about my machine,
apparatus or whatever YOU like To callit., ;
The idea suddenly entered my head
that there might be some means Of es-
cape. / again rose from my chair. and
began TO examine my dungeon more mar
rowly. found that was entirely sur
rounded by iron walls, as smooth a.
glass, and so highly polished that the re.
fection of the light Suspended in the
centre began to make my eyes ache.
could not discover the slightest crevice
or protuberance on the surface of the
metal. | cast my eyes up TO the ceiling,
and Judged that it was about ten feet
trnm the floor Tho oa;l;po UoS ON nv