The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-01-29

Dnr busy dream of insrOspection,
To Cod seem vain and poor beside
This da'ub. sincere reflection.
Yet he VII ne insOught, unNnown,
AMapleicss maidstone stand above him,
And the vast woodland, vague aud lone,
Be- oil that's lett to love him.
-Scri6ner's Monthly.
AMESMERIC EXPERIMENT.
THIRTY Christmas nights have come and
gone since thai one, SO memorable in my
life, and yet, sitting here in my solitary
room, gray-haired, lonely woman, the
whole scene rises as wildly before me as
though it had occurred but yesterday. can
sec the comfortably but plainly furnished,
)ow.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
haltcircle Of faces gathered round the hearth,
boxing glowing and pleasant in the rudy
gare Of the freiight-all except one, tina: Of
aman who sat in the corner opposite TO me.
] could not keep my eyes off that face,
which had Tor me the fascination of ugliness:
~ hS aiu SiluuO"HS ny Uut
AickcriDg flame touched the shock Of bristIy
mir that half-concealed the low, narrow,
forehead, the cavernous eyes, s,lnken cheeks
nd huge mouth, half open with cynical
mile that showed the tusk-]ike teeth,
auM compare it only with shifting series
dgsrgoyies from some old monkish ruin.
We were all members Of the company of
he Theatre Royal ", and, it being a non.
play night, we were assembled ut the lodg-
hss Of one Of our members, a lady. to do
honor to her birthday. Our usual theme
NE affairs of the theater, past, present and
pture, being exhausted, the conversation, |
nm not remember how, had turned upon
nesmerism and clairyoyance, and l was
xonty declaring my utter disbeliefin either,
lyskeplicsm being greatly intensified bv
Ae circumstance that Tony ArnoId-the mai,
lhaye Just described, and who was one of
AelOw comedians OF our ccmpany-took the
opposite side. There had always been an
tatssonisln between lis, and, although had
naetuai cause for such feeling. q positive
aake upon my part, which l believe was
pretty strongly reciprocated upon his.
Although | was scarcely twenty at the
time, Twas what people would have called a
aestroagsmiuded girl, with opinions of nv
owntbat never shrank from asserting, with
IN obslanaey that no argument could over
come; and Oh this night. excited by spirit
aeot deseace to my ris-0-ris, expressed them
II wlta blg0try and contempt that We're any,
thing but polite to those who differed from
ne.
by your positiyeness, Miss Grace, -
fatercd Arnold, 81 presume you have had
very large experience Of the trickeries of
resmeriSts.''
"Oh. indeed l have not, - replied, sharp.
II was never at any exhibition of the
KIND in my life, and never intend to be, I
should not have patience even to witness
web a transparent imposture.
suppose" said he, and there was a
eM IN his eyes which indicated rising
sMper-"slppose | could give you ocular
demonstration that you are wrong, by plac-
mg some one IN this room under mesmeric
mnuence; have done the thing often. II [
ua TINS before your own ewes, when YOU
would be quite assured there could not be
uiex orcollusion. would you believe it then %
dou't know that should, y answered,
uossedy: 'fyou have such power. -
iuuea, win contemptuous smile, ''why
oont you try it upon me-"
Arnold was evidently taken aback. 7 do
~ !nlnk ne dreamed Of my taking I'D his
1!llenge, tie regarded me for some sec.
sas with doubtful, wavering glance,
saEn met de!antly and mockingy.
would prefer anyone else in the room. y
answered, hesitatingIy.
~ course you would" ! replied, with a
l'sc'ous laugh: II am not good subject :
~ mystic influence is powerless over dis.
ae!e.s. Oh, know all the jargOn!"
. Aaa ! cast triumphant glance round the
.. 2:ay, who We're exceedingly amused at
a.; AsnoM turned alternately white and red
mo rage and modification.
y y not that" he answered, quickly.
~ paused; hut, evidently stuns by nv
s"s'H,elaptuous laugh, he added, Instantly,
ru.efy well, be it so, since you desire it,"
lae prospect Of having the discussion SC
Inmarily tested and adjudged created an
aease excitement, and | could feel nv
~ ~ eaesks burning, and my own pulse gal.
ssa sss - FEVER heat AS Arnold proceeded tc
~ preparations for the experiment.
.aas.as.eipatcd the USUAL passes and hand.
f,mss, OF which had heard and read, but
3 s..:s 49, perceived that his method was to bt
Avs .as'y different. He began by placing two
-. .s g exactly opposite to one another, in
MA y winch he requested me to be seated
81 ~ &c araped \ large black cloak round
~, 20 that only my face rose above it; then
~. borrowed from the landlady Of the
fS 81. = was set in such a position that the
.suoilld focus upon my face; after which
Il ~ ~ tne chair opposite to mine, and de.
- ~ w. We 10 FIX my eyes firmly upon him, anC
n lemoye them for a second.
loIlowed his instructons-an the next
ssssaa, was staring intently into pair o.
& S.ss Drown 0rbs that could feel did no
81 ~ .nlne with equal steadiness. There
pIolOund silence, broken only by a lit
sAsppiessed giggle from the females, an(
~ s'slonal low whisper from the men.
1Sssiss su oeen thus only few seconds wheI
lean not do it." " >
u r det q laughter hailed this confession
Sslsat, and throwing of nv drapery
speG uD and Joined heartily in the chorus
nod Was white as death and extremei,
G.Su.,he made no reply to the volley!
~ s.. a that assailed him on all sides
~. es.a turning to me, said, in q tone OF in
~ c.ss.fnestness: 81 can not mesmeriz,
- ~ ss you can me; those strong, steel
q: = ~ ~ Of yours, with their metallic luster
81 l RI more potent than mine. Come, will
: '2e net neel the Indictment Of hand clap
tlyS TIE chorus Of ooh, do" tba
Isu .ne proposition to promptly consent
20 De deeply interested in the ex
ss ..ss, ana now that was myself accred
Asan possessing this occult power m,
m began to waver. -
.... Oeiore We 80 any further" he said
z 49, Sss make one condi;ion-and that il
|js ~ sa.uId fall into comatose state, 70,
IS ~ !! put TO me any question of q privat
1SM',r.l ! shalt be compelled to answe
ay, literally, whatever it may be.
nsed faithfully not TO do so.