Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-01-21
A MEsMERIC EXPERIMENT.

Ell
MESMERIC EXPERIMENT.
THuRTY Christmas nights have come and
gone, since that one, so memorable in my
life, sand yet, sitting here in my solitary
room, gray-haired, lonely woman, the
whole scene rises as vividly before me rs
though 1t had occurred but yesterday. can
SEQ the comfortably but plainly furnished,
low-ceiled,' old-fashioned room, with Its
dirk, wainscoated walls, and its dim corners,
that the feeble light Of q 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.
,ElOould not keep my eyes off that face,
which hadforme the fascination of ugliness;
as the Lights and shadowns made by the
fliekering flame touched the shock OF bristly
hair that half concealed the low, narrow,
forehead, the cayernous eyes, sunken cheeks
aud huge mouth, half open with cynical
SUITE ffhet showed the tusk-like teeth, /
could compare 1t 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-
ipgss of one of our members, lady, to do
hoporn to her birthday. Our usual theme,
the affairs Of the theater, past, present and
4
can Jnot remember how, had turned upon
mesmerism and clairyoyance, and 1 was
stoutlysdeclaring my utter disbeliefin either,
my skepticism being greatly intensified by
the circumstance that Tony Arnold-the man
Ishaye just described, and who was one Of
thea6y comedians of our rcompany-took the
opposite side. There had always been an
antagonism between us, and, although had
no actual cause for such a feeling, positive
dislike upon my part, which 1 believe was
pretty strongly reciprocated upon his.
Although i 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 rts-d-riS, / expressed them
with bigotry and contempt that were any
thing but polite to those who differed from
me. f.-i
"By your positiveness, Miss Grace -
sneered Arnold, 81 presume you have had
a very large, experience of the trickeries of
lts0h, indeed i have not, I" replied, sharp
lN"I was never at any exhibition of the
Kind In my life, and never intend to he. l
skeuld not have patience even to witness
such q transparent imposture.
AtsSuppose," said he, and there was
Glcam in his eyes which indicated rising
ttmper-ss suppose l could give you ocular
DEMONSTRATION that you are wrong, by plac-
iHgSkpme one in this room under mesmeric
influence; i have done tine thing often. II 1
did this before your own eyes, when you
would be quite assured there could not be
ckorcoliusion, would you believe it thenr'
:" don't know that should, answered,
dDggedly. III You have such power, ,, /
added, with ,contemptuous smile, "why
dopst,ypu fry. it upon meW
tflold was evidently taken aback. / do
not Think he dreamed of my taking up his
challenge.s He regarded me for some sec.
opds with q doubtful, wagering glance,
which met deiantly and mockingly.
ksI;would prefer anyone else In the room, -
heanswered, hesitatingly. '
malicious laugh: 81 am not good subject; /;
liemystic influences is powerless over dis
believers. Oh, know all the jargon!"
Aud cast triumphant glance round the
Company, who were exceedingly amused at
Opr discussion. iHi t.lAsaH l4tI ef
tArnOld turned alternately white and red
With rage and modification.
y'Itis not that" he answered, quickly,
thepu paused; but, evidently stung by my
cnnteihptuons laugh, he added, instantly,
'SYery well, be 1t so, since you desire it."'
Hhe prospect of having the discussion 70
stmmarily tested and adjudged created an
Immense excitement, and could feel my
0fn cheeks burning, and my own pulse gal
lcping Mt fever heat as Arnold proceeded to
r4lke preparations for the experiment.
H.apticipated the usual passes and hand
w&rfngs, of which had heard and read, but
I;soon perceived that his method was to be
entirely different He began by placing two
ctairs exactly opposite to one another, In
dbe.Qf,which he requested me to be seated;
thep he sdraped large black cloak round
me, so that only my face rose above 1t; then
a.}amp, borrowed from the landlady OF the
hpase, was set In such position that the
lght should focus upon my face; after which
lf took the chair opposite to mine, and de.
sFed ne TO Fix my eyes firmly upon him, and
npt remove them for second.
Isfollowed his instructions--and the next
inoment was staring intently into pair oi
edeenish- brown orbs that could feel did moi
meet mine with equal steadiness. There
was a profound silence, broken only by q lit.
tlesnppressed, giggle from the females, and
am occasional low whisper from the men,
We had been thus onlya few seconds when
Arnold sprang up excaiming: "Ips nc
use,sl can not do IT,, sJ..L t.s I'LL. r..,.-,
a shout Of laughter hailed this confession
ofa,defeat,, and throwing off my drapery
iumpednp and Joined heartily In the chorus
Arnold was white as death and extremely
agitated. He made no reply to the yolleyi
Of ''chaff'' that assailed him on all sides
but again turning to me, said, in a tone of in,
tense earnestness: "I can not mesmeriz,
you, but you can me; those strong, steel
gray eyes OF yours, with their metallic luster
are fsr more p potent than mine. Come, viii
I'D not need the incitement of hand clap
ping and the chorus of "Oh, do!n thai
greeted the proposition To promptly consent
j began TO be deeply interested In the ex
pertinent, and now that was myself accred
tied with possessing this occult power m,
skeptscisIh began TO waver.
"Bpt before we 20 any further" he said
must make one condition--and that Is
that shorid fall into comatosc state, yo,
wntpot put to me any question OF prlvat
npHgetas ! shall be compelled TO answe
HuthfuIly, literally, whatever 1t may be.
promised faithfully not to do SO.
The preyiousd disposition was now reversed
the lamp Has set SO that the light shoul,
sllne upon my face, and Arnold was enyel
qP&iinfhe cloak, as had been.
Min HOW, with all the nerve power DOS
~ fastened my eyes upon Arnold Is
Wbea4nd ghastly looked his face rlsin
out OF the blackness of the drapery, whic
gaze rit almost the appearance OF being di
yaed from the body and suspended in space
Thslips were Wide apart, and the GREEN'S
evesa dilated 10 their utmost extent
WIN a6trained fascinated look, such as the
night have worn under the influence OF
r1tfiesnaEe. could scarcely suppress
fhYer At this uneanny- y-looking picture; bu
aehildkpirit took possession OF me that nigh
which soon swept away all such "com
rts,letious yisitiDgs OF nature" Eyerybod
heetned TO be thoroughly impressed BY III
Msitdnurr OF Tic sItiintlon; there was n
HIHrilhct h0 MhiannfIun. nfl was Hii0nt 4