Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 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, a gray-haired,, lonely woman, the
whole scene rises as wildly before me as
though it had occurred but yesterday. / can
see the comfortably but plainly furnished,
dark, wainscoated walls, and its dim corners,
that the feeble light Of a couple of composite
candles could scarcely reach; I can see the
half circle of faces gathered round the hearth,
looking glowing and pleasant in the ruddy
glare of the firelight-all except one, that of
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 shadows made by the
Pickering flame touched the shock of bristly
hair that half concealed the low, narrow,
forehead, the cavernous eyes, sunken cheeks
and huge mouth, half open with a cynical
smile that showed the tusk-like teeth, 1
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 ", and, it being nom
play night we were assembled at the lodg-
ings of one of our members, lady, to do
honor to her birthday. Our usual theme,
the affairs of the theater, past, present and
future, being exhausted, the conversation, l
can not remember how, had turned upon
mesmerism and clairvoyance, and was
stoutly declaring my utter disbeliefin either,
my skepticism being greatly intensified by
the circumstance that Tony Arnold-the man
have just described, and who was one of
the low comedians OF our company-took the
opposite side. There had always been an
antagonism between us, and, although had
dislike upon my part, which 1 believe was
pretty strongly reciprocated upon his.
Although l was scarcely twenty at the
time, was what people would have called
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 Uis-d-Uis, expressed them
with bigotry and contempt that were any,
thing but polite to those who differed from
me. sr4sa~ a.s4
'By your positiveness, Miss Grace, -
sneered Arnold, 81 presume you have had
a very large, experience OF the trickeries of
"Oh, indeed have not, F" replied, sharp
ly, q 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
CLEAN in his eyes which indicated rising
temper" suppose 1 could give you ocular
demonstration that you are wrong, by plac-
ing some, one in this room under mesmeric
infiuence; 1 have done the thing often. II
did this before your own eyes, when you
would be quite assured there could not be
trick or collusion, would you believe it thens
L
added, with contemptuous smile, sswhy
don't you try it upon me?"
Arnold was evidently taken aback. 1 do
not think he dreamed OF my taking up his
onds with . doubtful, wavering glance,
which met defiantly and mockingly.
81 would prefer anyone else in the rOomo
he answered, hesitatingly: -...s
malicious laugh: 81 am not good subject;
the mystic influence is powerless over dis
believers oh, know all the jargon?"
And east . triumphant glance round the
company, who were exceedingly amused at
our discussion. va
Arnold turned alternately white and red
with rage and modification. 81"
50 1t is not that he answered, quickly,
then paused; but, evidently stung by my
contemptuous laugh, he added, instantly,
The prospect of having the discussion so
summarily tested and adjudged created an
immense excitement, and l could feel my
own cheeks burning, and my own pulse gal
make preparations for the experiment.
/ anticipated the usual passes and hand
wavings, Of which had heard and read, but
soon perceived that his method was to be
entirely different. He began by placing two
chairs exactly opposite to one another, in
one Of which he requested me to be seated;
then he draped large black cloak round |
me, so that only my face rose above it.; then
q lamp, borrowed from the landlady Of the |
house, was set in such position that the
light should focus upon my face; after which |
he took the chair opposite to mine. and de- |
sired me to fix my eyes firmly upon him, and |
not remove them for a second.
followed his instructions-and the next |
moment Iwas staring intently into pair of |
greenish brown orbs that / could feel did not |
meet mine with equal steadiness. There |
was profound silence, broken only by a lit |
tie suppressed giggle from the females, and |
Rs~y,
We bad been thus only few seconds when |
Arnold sprang up exclaiming: '.Irs no |
use, can not dc it."
A shout of LAUGHTER hailed this confession |
of defeat, and throwing off my drapery [ |
Jumped up and joined heartily in the chorus. |
Arnold was white az death and extremely /
agitated. He made no reply to the volleys
Of sschaf' that assailed him OH all sides,