Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1881-01-20
A MESMERIC EXPERIMENT.

THIRTY Christmas nights have come and
gone since that one, so memorable in my
life, and yet, Sitting here in my solitary
room, gray-haired, lonely woman, the
whole scene rises as YiYidly before me as
though it had occurred but yesterday. l can
see the comfortably but plainly furnished,
low Ceiled, old-fashiOned room, with its
dark, wainscOated walls, and its dim corners
that the feeble light Of couple of composite
candles could scarcely reach; / can see the
half circle of faces gathered round the HEARTH
looking glowing and pleasant in the ruddy
glare of the freight-all except one, that oi
"a man who sat in the corner opposite to me.
could not keep my eyes off that face,
which had for me the fascination of ugliness
,as the lights and shadOwns made by the
flickering flame touched the shock Of bristy
hair that alf-c0ncealed the low, narrow,
forehead, the cavernous eyes, sunken cheeks
and huge mouth, half open with cynical
smile that showed the tuBk-like teeth,
could compare it only with shifting series
of gargoyles from some old monkish ruin.
We were all members of the company OF
the Theatre Royal K, and, it being nom
play night, we were assembled at the lodg-
ings of one of our members, lady, to dc
honor 20 her birthday. Our usual theme,
the affairs of the theater, past, present and
future, being exhausted, the conversation,
can not remember how, had turned upon
Fnesmerism and clairVoyanCe, and / was
-stoutly declaring my utter disbeliefin either
my skepticism being greatly intensified by
fthe circumstance that Tony Arnold-the man
/ have Just described, and who was one Oi
the low comedians OF our company-tOokt the
opposite side. There had always been an
antagonism between us, and, although had
mo actual cause for such a feeling, positive
dislike upon my part, which I believe was
pretty strongly reciprOcated upon his.
Although | was scarcely twenty at the
time, was what people would have called q
strong minded girl with opinions of my
own that never shrank from asserting, with
AN Obstinacy that no argument could over
come; and on this night, excited by spirit
of defiance to my U{S S-G-U5S, expressed them
with a bigOtrY and contempt that were any
thing but polite to those who differed from
me.
"By your positiveness, Miss Grace, .
.sneered Arnold, 81 presume you have had
a very large experience Of the trickeries Of
mesmerists."
"Oh, indeed have not, "Ireplied, sharp.
Nv, "I was never at any exhibition Of the
kind in my life, and never intend to be.
should not have patience even to. witness
such transparent imposture."
"Suppose," said he, and there was Q
glenn in his eyes which indicated rising
temper" suppose | could give you ocular
demonstration that you are wrong, by plac'
ing some one in this room under m6smeri(
influence; have done the thing often. If
did this before your own eyes, when yOu
would be quite assured there could not be
trick or collusiOn, would you believe it thenP
81 don't know that | should, f" answered
.doggedly. "If you have such power, "
added, with a cOntemptuous smile, "why
don't you try it upon me~
Arnold was evidently taken abacl. I de
not think he dreamed of my taking up hii
challenge. He regarded me for some sec.
-Onds with a doubtful, wavering glance
which met deiantly and mockingly,
81 would prefer anyone else in the room, .
me answered, hesitatingly.
"Of course you WOULD" l replied, with Q
malicious laugh 81 am not good Subject
the mystic influence is powerless over dis
believers. On, know all the jargOnW
And cast triumphant glance round the
company, who were exceedingly amused al
our discussion.
Arnold turned alternately white and rec
with rage and modification.
. 1t is not that" he answered, quickly,
then paused; hut, evidently stung by my
eContemptuOus laugh, he added, instantly
''Very well, be it so, since you desire It,"
Inc prospect OA uuFlllB buG ulhCuSSlUu 81
.summarily tested and adiudged created al
immense excitement, and l could feel my
own cheeks burning, and my own pulse gal
1OpiDg at fever heat as Arnold proceeded II
make preparations for the experiment.
I Anticipated the usual passes and hand
,wayings, OF which had heard and read, bu
I soon perceived that his method was to bt
entirely different. He began by placing TIVE
chairs exactly opposite to one another, il
eOne Of which he requested me to be seated
,thenhe draped large black cloak rounC
me, SO that only my face rose above it; ther
a lamp, borrowed from the landlady Of thu
house, was set in such q position that tht
light should focus upon my face; after which
ne took the chair opposite to mine, and de
sired me to fix my eyes firmly upon him, anC
mot remove them for a second.
I followed his instruGtiOns-and the mex
moment was staring intently into pair 0
.greenish brown orbs that I could feel didno
meet mine with equal steadiness. Their
was profound silence, broken only by lit
tie suppressed giggle from the females, ant
an occasional low whisper from the men.
We had been thus only a few seconds Whei
Arnold sprang up eKcaiming: "1Ps NJ
use, can not do it."
A shout Of laughter hailed this confession
of defeat, and throwing off my drapery
.iamDed up andj0ined heartily In the chorus
Arnold was white as death and eXtremel.
agitated. He made no reply to the Yolley
OF 'chaff" that assailed him on ell sides