The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-09-03

ing others at distance; and my own studies
had accustomed me to concentrate nov
thoughts, the first step toward exercising
such power, if, as / hoped, it was latent in
me. had never heard OF any attempt to
control spirit by such means; but the idea
did not appear to me impracticable. Where
so little is known, experiments are of use,
even though their results be only negative.
If there is a spirit-thus 1 argued with my
self-that wishes to communicate with the
owner of this Tower, surely reciprocal wish
on his part might render tide process easier.
Again, the simplest facts of mesmerism
show that one will can control another; sure
ly a spirit, freed from human grossness,
should be sensitively alive to every influence
exerted over it. 1t only remains to be proved
whether l have the needful strength and
whether / can keep cool and steady if sue
coed so far as to obtain obedience from the
spirit.
Having settled my plan or action, began
By taking long and brisk walk in the early
morning. Before dinner confined my read
ing to historical works. but in the evening /
perused curious and useful Information on
mesmerism. Soon after midnight seated
myself opposite my open door, having pre-
viously placed the lamp so as to completely
| light up the space before me.
| Two rather ludicrous difficulties then
the sex of my unseen visitor. Bonds story
would have led me to suppose that man
would haunt the Tower, but there was moth
ing masculine in the gentle football, or the
| sound of the trailing robe.
| Secondly, 1 knew that I must keep one
| idea before me, yet could hardly go on re-
peating the same formula, and l could not
think without words. This difficulty, how
ever, was very elementary one, and would
be easily overcome by practice. 1 fixed my
| eyes on the doorway, where the eyes of u fig
ure of average height would be, and soon sue
cceded in making myself think an almost
uninterrupted "Comel'
Unfortunately, the night was boisterous
and stormy, the wind screamed past the case
ment, and swept on, as if in hideous fugue
asross the gloomy fens; but as my senses
| grew more and more keen; did not doubt
that could distinguish the familiar footsteps,
even through all this storm music
After a while, the blood moved faster in
my veins, my eyes were unnaturally fixed
and hot, and my breathing was constrained
and rapid, as though every muscle were stiff
ened-a sensation quite unlike the deep full
| inspirations of severe physical exertion.
| should not have realized how great was
the tension of my will had nota gust of wind
made gate in the garden bang suddenly
when the quiver with which my nerves re-
sponded to the sound betrayed to what
pitch l was excited.
1t was close on the hour for the ghosts
visit. passed my hand across my forehead
and eyes, and at the same instant, distinct
through the wailing of the wind, / heard the
distant football. l grasped the arms of my
chair, and half-rose in the intensity of my
wish; but when the steps reached the top of
the stairs, something seemed to give way in
my brain, the room and lights swan before
my eyes; but as l sprang up, with my hands
to my temples, l saw, or fancied / saw,
against the bright background, the shadowy
outline of a figure.
1t was an instantaneous impression, and
sank back as helpless and weak as child
all power of will entirely gone. An hour
passed before 1 could shake off my lassitude
sufficiently to go to bed; but L slept soundly,
and to my great satisfaction found that, in
stead of being fatigued, l was more active
than usual on the following day.
To Bonds inquiries merely replied that
| was carrying out a plan that l hoped
would succeed in time, but that 1 could not
give him the details.
1t was unnecessary to describe the expert
ments of each succeeding night. / soon
found that the power of concentrating my
will increased with every effort. On three
occasions L saw the same shadowy outline;
but on each chance sound disturbed me, or
irresistible fatigue deprived me of strength
just when I most needed it. At length re-
solved to take one nights uninterrupted rest,
and to begin my next attempt only a few
minutes before o'clock; so as to have more
power in reserve when the critical moment
should arrive. 1 was to find that l attained
almost Immediately the required state of con-
centrated volition; but endeavored to make
my condition more natural than it had ever
| x-af 7 L. y,1 .abs
antly at the spot where l hoped the spirit
might appear, and made mesmeric passes as
if before figure facing me.
As l o'clock struck, my senses grew
more alert; never before had / felt myself
possessed of so much subdued and controlled
strength; even my breathing became deer
and regular,
1 could not account to myself for these
novel sensations, but was filled with buoy
ant delight which was almost ecstacy. My
hand, as l continued my passes, seemed to
feel an opposing force, as though l were
drawing a weight toward me. There were
none of the former heat and excitement, but
a genial warmth prevailed every limb.
L knew had power over the spirit if
could but keep myself steady.
AT last it was close on the quarter, when
heard the first step in the passage. Istretchcc
out my hands in motionless command an6
{ expectation. As the steps reached the turf
of the stairs the outline became visible once
more; it grew distinct, came nearer, an(
, pausing at the doorway, seemed to trembl'
and gather itself into the form of woman il
IA clinging robe, who bent toward me with
look that 1 shall never forget.
She was very young, and the misery OIL
/ her face might have made the hardest hear
pitiful. In her eyes there was that abiding
look Of horror that sometimes remains afte
a great mental Shocks look almost impos
, sible to describe, but which conveys it
! meaning instantaneously. Her mobile lip
were slightly parted, and her small hand
: tightly clenched at her side. Although ev
! cry feature was distinguishable, there wa
no semblance of humanity about her; sh
was pale shadowy figure, and the outlin
! of her head and dress remained tremulou;