The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-29
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 wildly before me as
though it had occurred but yesterday. / 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 tireight-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 shadowns 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,
could compare it only with a shifting series
of gargoyles from some old monkish ruin.
We were all members of the company of
the Theatre Royal Y, and, it being a nom
play night, we were assembled at the lodg-
ings of one of our members, lady, to do
honor so 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
mesmerism and clairvoyance, and I was
cTs
my skepticism being greatly intensified bv
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
no actual cause for such feeling, positive
dislike upon my part, which | believe was
pretty strongly reciprocated upon his.
Although l was scarcely twenty at the
time, was what people would have called a
strong minded girl, with opinions of nv
own that never shrank from asserting. with
an obstinacy that no argument could over
come; and on this night, excited by a spirit
Of defiance to my s-d-Uis, expressed them
with 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
very large experience Of the trickeries of
mesmerists. -
"Oh, indeed have not, :" replied, sharp
ly, :" was never at any exhibition of the
kind in my life, and never intend to be. l
should not have patience even to witness
such transparent imposture. F."
"Suppose," said he, and there was a
CLEAN in his eyes which indicated rising
temper" suppose l could give YOU ocular
demonstration that you are wrong, by plac-
ing some one in this room under mesmeric
influence; | have done the thing often. If 7
did this before your own eyes, when Won
would be quite assured there could not he
trick or collision, would you believe it then YS
81 don't know that should, +" 1 answered.
doggedly. ''1f you have such power, - /
added, with contemptuous smile, "why
don't you try it upon meW
Arnold was evidently taken aback. / do
not think he dreamed of my taking up his
challenge. He regarded me for some sec
onds with a doubtful, wavering glance,
which met defiantly and mockingiy.
g. would prefer anyone else in the room. %
he answered, hesitatingly.
"Of course you would" replied, with a
malicious laugh: 81 am not a good subject.
the mystic influence is powerless over dis.
believers. Oh, know all the jargon?n
And cast triumphant glance round the
company, who were exceedingly amused at
our discussion.
Arnold turned alternately white andrea
with rage and modification.
"It is not that" he answered, quickly.
then paused; but, evidently stung by nv
contemptuous laugh, he added, instantly,
every well, be it so, since you desire il. -
The prospect of having the discussion so
summarily tested and adjudged created an
immense excitement, and l could feel nv
own cheeks burning, and my own pulse gal
looping at fever heat as Arnold proceeded to
make preparations for the experiment.
anticipated the usual passes and hand
dus
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
lamp, borrowed from the landlady Of the
house, was set in such a 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.
I followed his instructions-an the next
moment was 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
an occasional low whisper from the men.
We had been thus only few seconds when
Arnold sprang up exclaiming: "Its no
use, can not do 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 as death and extremely
agitated. He made no reply to the volleys
Of "chaff" that assailed him on all sides,