, 1880-07-26
The Lost Invention.
BY W. d. ROBERTS.


On certain street in the city of L.
stood the palatial residence of the re-
newned Prof. G. which, on the
evening our sketch opens, was bril-
liantly illuminated. In the large
drawing-room a number of gentlemen
we're assembled. After listening with
some amusement to the many inquiries
and surmises of his guests, at length
Prof. c. spoke.
Gentlemen he said," of what
you are to see or hear tonight none are
more ignorant than myself. l know
only this; some evenings since, as I
was ia my study, q visitor was an
nounced. Directing the servant to
show him to my library, I presently
stranger, who impressed me as being a
man Of intellect. After few common
place remarks, he informed me that he
had made a most wonderful discovery
which he did not care just then to ex-
plain, but would like the honor of
meeting some of my scientific friends,
when he would make a test of his in
vention. His manner SO impressed me
that acceded to this, and appointed
tonight as the time of meeting"
At this moment the door sell was
heard to ring. and Prof. c. pre-
pared to receive his guests. As the
door opened, there entered person
who, after shaking hands with Prof.
G., placed a small box on table in
the center of the room, and advanced
to the FIRE. He appeared to be man
some fifty years of age. His hair was
iron-gray, while the thick beard which
covered bis face was almost black. An
ordinary observer could tell fr.m his
countenance, and especially from his
cold gray eyes, that he was q man of
great ingenuity. Advancing to the
table in the center of the room, he took
from the box a small, circular, metal
plate, through which ran two wires
projecting some three or four feet on
either side. Holding it up to the in
spection of the audience, he spoke as
follows;
Most of you gentlemen are possess
ors of that knowledge of science Of
which l am utterly ignorant. I have
come into the possession of secret
which, it seems to me, will revolution
ize the scientific world. I have not as
yet discovered the direct cause of the
effect of which l will presently make
you sensible. To morrow I intend to
write what l know concerning it, and
deposit it in some safe place, SO that
should any accident befall me the ben
eft of my discovery will not be lost to
the world. But you seem impatient.
and will proceed. I have Reason to
think that with this little instrument 1
am enabled to almost entirely destroy
the weight of any body to which at
ariy overcome the laws of gravitation." p"
As these words fell from the lips of
the speaker, smile of incredulity
atted over the faces of his audience.
"Ysu appear to doubt what I say" !"
he continued, "but I will presently
demonstrate what, if not true, will at
least puzzle you to explain"
With these words the speaker at
tached the wires of the instrument to a
chair standing near him. By retaining
his hand under the metal plate alluded
eO9 MO xA0vVA WIG OA0A bAAOu6A bAV 0u-
mosphere with the utmost ease, as
though it were indeed weightless. At
length, detaching the wire from the
chair. it fell to the floor with crash.
He then applied the instrument to the
piano, and other objects in the room,
with the same result.
will now make test that think
far more wonderful than any other that
have as yet made"
He then wrapped the wires around
his neck and arms. Springing lightly
from the floor, by merely placing his
fingers upon the different objects in
the room, wonderful as it may seem,
he moved through the atmosphere
without the least exertion. Finally he
detached the instrument from his per-
son, and for a moment seemed quite
giddy, almost falling. Placing the in
strument in the box, he continued
"You are no doubt puzzled by what
you have seen. I can assure you it is
no triekery !or legerdemsin. The
charm lies in the instrument alone.
desire to meet you all again on tonight