The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-06-18
THE LOST INVENTION.

tlemen were assembled. After listening with
some amusement TO the many inquiries and
surmises of his guests at length Professor
c. spoke.
Gentlemen" he said, "of what YOU are
to see or hear tonight none are more igno-
rant than myself. l know only this: some
evenings since, while | was in my study, a
visitor was announced. Directing the ser
want to show him into my library, presently
repaired hither, and was met by a stranger,
who impressed me as being a man of intel
lect. After a few commonplace remarks,
he Informed me that he had made most
wonderful discovery which he did not care
just then to explain, but would like the honor
of meeting some of my scientific friends,
when he would make a test Of his invention.
His manner so impressed me that [ acceded
to this, and appointed tonight as the time Of
meeting"
At this moment the dOor-bell was heard to
ring, and Prof. C. prepared to receive his
guest. As the door opened, there entered
person who, after shaking hands with Prof.
c., placed a small box on a table in the
centre of the room, ard advanced TO the fire.
He appeared to be a man some fifty years Of
ege. His hair was iron-gray, while the thick
beard which covered his face was almost
black. An ordinary observer could tell from
his countenance, and especially from his cold
gray eyes, that he was man of great inge-
nuity. Advancing to the table in the centre
Of the room, he took from the box a small.
circular metal plate, through which ran two
wires projecting some two OF three feet on
either side. Holding it up to the inspection
of the audience, he spoke as follows:
Most of you gentlemen are pOssessors of
that knowIedge Of science of which am ut
teTly ignorant. have come into the posses
sion of secret which, it seems to me, will
reyolutionize the scientific world. 1 have
not as vet discovered the direct cause of the
effect of which 1 will presently make you
sensible. Tomorrow l intend to write what
1 know concerning it, and deposit it in some
safe place, so that should any accident befal
me the benefits of my discovery will not be
lost to the world. But you seem inpatient
and l will proceed. have reason to think
that with this little instrument l am enabled
to almost entirely destroy the weight Of any
body to which / attach it in other words,
can temporarily overcome the laws of grayi-
tation.''
As these words fell from the lips Of the
speaker a smile of incredulity fitted over
the faces of his audience.
"You appear to doubt what 1 say" he
continued, "but l will presently demonstrate
what, if not true, viii at least puzzle you to
explain"
With these words the speaker attached the
wires of the instrument to a chair standing
near him. BY retaining his hand under the
metal plate alluded to, he moved the chair
through the atmosphere with the utmost ease,
as though it were indeed weiehtless. At
length, detaching the wire from the chair, it
fell to the floor with crash. He then ap-
piled the instrument to the piano. and other
objects in the room, with the same result.
81 will now make test that think far
more wonderful than any other that l have
yet made
He then wrapped the wires around his neck
and arms. Springing lightly from the floor,
by merely placing his fingers upon the differ
ent objects in the room, wonderful as it may
seem he moved through the atmosphere with
out the least eXertion. Finally he detached
the instrument from his person, and for
moment seemed quite giddy, almost falling.
Placing the instrument in the box he cOntin-
ued-
''You are no doubt puzzled by what you
have seen. l can assure you it is no trickery
or legerGemain. The charm lies in the in
strument alone. / desire to meet you all
again on tonight week, when we may make
some further experiments, and discuss the
merits and your explanation of the instru-
ment. ! can trust to your honor not to dis
close what You have seen to any one at pres
ent'
During the remarks of the stranger his
/ audience listened with the most marked at
tention, and observed his actions with the
most intense interest.
Among those present was a foreigner a
person who had recently arrived in l.,
/ and who, by his genial, engaging manners,
and familiarity with learned subjects, had
/ inducted himself into the friendship Of Pro-
/ fessor c.. Hence his presence here
During the experiments of the stranger this
/ person seemed III at ease, sometimes even
/ starting from his chair as he described some
different powers of his invention. His coun
! tenance changed from an open, intellectual
/ expression to an expression of intense jeal
ousy and envy. ....
The wind had driven away the snow
clouds, and the moon now shed its mellow
. light over the city. Along deserted stree
fronting the river, a muffied figure trod tht
I suow-coycred pavement, seemingly in deel
meditation. Some distance behind there fol
lowed another figure, closely muffied, dOdG
ing along in the shadows as though he de
sired his presence unknown. Out upon tn
bridge that spanned the broad river, nov
filed with ice, walked the figure in advance
closely followed. Near the centre OF tn
bridge, he paused and leaned against tn
+ railing. At this moment passing cloud Oh
scured the moon. The figure peered int
the darkness below, where could be hear,
the rushing waters and crashing ice. y deep
toned bell in a neighboring spire tolIed fort
the hour of midnight.
"What a time and place to die 90 muttere
the figure.
\ step was heard behind him, he half turn
ed, and received the blade of poniard il
his breast. lie sank to the floor of the bridg
with a smothered groan.
The assassin bent over the lifeless body G
his victim, and presently arose with a sna
box closely cienched in his hand. With a
effort he raised the body and cast it over tn
rail. 1t struck the water with a splash, an
all was still save the rushing of the river
The murderer walked swiftly, stealthil
away, and upon the bloody pages of the hi.
tory of crime was written another scene c
horror
On a low chair sat the figure Of a man, hi
attention riveted upon some object he held
I his ha.d np his ,.o ,,-ars A., 1aor, f,,rrg,,,