New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-14
A MESMERIC EXPERIMENT.

hat
sitting here in my solitary room, grav-hared
io,elv woman the whole scene rises as VlVlulv oe-
sors me As though it had occurred but yesterday.
~, GO tina comfortably hut plainly furnished.
,-celca old-tashioned room. with Is dark walns-
- walls and it's dim corners, that the feeble
-. ~ a cOuple of composite candles could
..orcelv reach; ! can see the half circle OF faces
Gathered round the hearth looking glowing ana
s1osant in the 1uddy glare of the hrellght-sh eA-
ut one that Of a man who sat in the corner oppo-
site to me. 49,, ,;, ,d
-. tb, fascination Of ugllneSs; as the nehts
ana shadows made by the lickering flame touched
,he snoek of bristly hair that hall concealed the
low narrow forehead, the cavernous eyes, suhken
- an1 hinge mouth half open with cynical
milc that showed the tusk-lke teeth could COM
pare it only with shifting Seii'S "a H"'H'' '0' -'-
some old nlonkish ruin.
" so all members OF the company of the
~ Poral y. and il being nOp-play night,
,rors assembled at the lodgings of one OF our
.,he,s \ lady 90 40 honor TO her birthday. Our
suaI theme thc affairs of the theatre past present
and fnture being exhausted. the conversation, |
cannot remember now. had turned upon mesmerism
and clairvoyancc. anu was stoutly declaring my
inter disbelief in either my scepticsm being greatly
intensified by the circumstance that Tony Arnold
the man have Just described. and who was one
~ the low comedians of our company-took the
opposite side There had always been an antagon-
ism between US. and although had no actual
cause for such a feeling. positive dislike upon my
mart which believe wac pretty strongly recipro-
Gated upon his.
Although was scarcely twenty at the time,
was what people would have called rather
strong-minded girl, with opinions of my own that
with an
that no argument could overcome; and on this
night excited by spirit of defiance to my Us-dr's'
/ expresSed them with bigOtry and contempt that
were ANYTHING but polite to those who differed
from
BY your positiveness. Miss Grace sneered
Arnold i presume you have had very large ex-
perience of the trckeries of mesmerists'
.Oh. indeed have not replied sharply. was
never at anv exhibition Of the kind in my life and
never intend to be. l should not have patience
even to witness such transparent,lmposture
.SnnpoSe' he said and there was CLEAN IN his
ewes which indicated rising temper suppose
could give you ocular demonstration that YOU are
wrong. by placing some one in this room under mes
,nerie influence | have done the thing often II
did this before yOur own eyes. when you would be
cnite assured there could not be trick collision,
would you believe il then 2
I don't know that | should answered dog
redly If vou have snch power. added with
conteulptuous smile, why don't YOU try it upon
meP
Arnold was evidently taken ahack. l do not
think he dreamed of NV taking up his challenge
He regarded mo for some seconds with doubtful
wavermg glance, which l met dehantly and mock
ingly
4 woud prefer any one else III the room he
answered hesitatlngly.
or course you would replied with malicious
laugh: | am not a good subject the mystic in
fuence II pOwerless over dlsbeAeNers' Oh'
know an the argonp
And cast a triumphant glance round the com
pany. who were exceedingly amnseu at our discus
sion
Arnold turned alternately white and red with
rage and modification.
1t il net that he answered quickly, then
paused but evidently stung by my sontemptuous
laugh. he added instantly. Very wei, be 1t so,
since you desire It,.
The pIospect OF having the discussion so sum
marilv tested and adudged created an immense
excitement and / could feel my own checks burn
inp and my pulse gallopng at fever heat as
Arnold proceeded TO make preparations for the e4-
pertinent.
Ianticinated the usual passes and hand-wavings,
Of which had beard ard read, but soon per
ceved that his method was going to be entirely
dheTent lie began by placing two chairs eNactlY
opposite % one another. in one Oh winch De re-
qucstrd me 10 be seated then he drapeC large black
cloak round me- so that only my face rose above
it then lamp borrowed from the landady OF the
house. was yet in such position that the light
should focu, upon my face; after which he took the
chair opposite 10 mine. and desired me to Tx my
eyes firmly upon his ana not remove them Tor
second
followed ms iusrrnctions-and the next moment
] was staring intenty into pair OF greensh-
brow, ori,s that | could feel did not meet mime
with eoual steadincss There profound
silence broken only by little suppressed giggle
from the females and an occasional low whisper
froin the men.
We had been thus only few seconds when
Arnold slrang up exclaimIng It's 10 use' can
not 30 it,
4 shout Of laughter hailed this confession OF de-
feat and throwing "a my drapery ! Jumped mp ana
joined heartily ~ the chorus.
Arnold was white as death and extremely agi-
tated lie made no reply 10 the volleys OF chan
that assailed him all sides, but again turning To
me- said in "A tone Of intense earnrstness; cannot
mosnerize you but you can me; those strong steel
gray eyes o. yours with their metallic lusue are
iar more potent than mine. Come. Will you try
did not need the Indictment OF hand-clapping
and tie chorus OF Oh, dov that greeted the pro-
position to promptly consent. l began TO be
deeply interested in the experiment, and now that
was myself accredited with possessing this occult
power my seeptcism began to WAIVER.
But before we 20 any further, he said, must
make one condIton-and that is, that should fall
into comatose state. you will not put to me any
question of a private natuIe-as | shall be com"
PEELED to answer truthfully, literally. whatever
tmay be-
promised faithfully not TO do so.
Inc previous disposition now reversed, the
AAno was set 50 that the light should shine