The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-04-05
A SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT.

VIII some amount OF pleasure. lie
was to spend it at the house of his
friend Jack Spencer, of Guys. Not
only that, but Spencer's aunt, who
kept house for him, had been kind
enough to ask Amy Durant, Tom S
fd71cee, to come rs well. Tom had but
few opportunities of meeting Amy, so
he naturally was glad OF this one, es-
peciall y-bUt the reason why will soon
be manifest
However, for some reason or other,
he did not greatly enjoy himself. Miss
Spencer, having taken the somewhat
bold step, for her, of inviting the lovers
to her house, did not see fit to leave
them alone for an instant
Jack Spencer scarcely saw the fun Of
having Tom up to spend an evening
trying to be alone with Miss Durant: so.
after an hours insipid music, and more
insipid conversation, he drew Tom out
of the room on a very weak pretext,
and dragged him OF to his den.
look here, Tom, I've had enough of
that cackle. Come and have smoke. s"
Il don't care if | do; but I'm afraid
Amy won't half like my leaving her ="
"luite mistake; don't tlatter your
self so grossly. Besides, you'll see
plenty of her when you're married
Shell get on very well with my aunt
now they're alone, and it strikes me
you werea getting on very brilliantly
Now what will you smoke?n
i've some rather good cigars was
Wilkinson reply; ''let me offer you
one.
He put his hand in his pocket.
''COnfound itn' he exclaimed: 81
must have left my case in my great
coat
''Never mind, old man, try this pipe;
it's Il beauty; got it from an American,
whose leg / helped cut Off for him at
the hospital"
Wilkinson took it, thinking at the
same time the recommendation was a
strange one.
WHAT Jolly den you haver he
said. as he lit up.
"Not so bad. Don't let my aunt
hear you call it a den, though; it's q
STUDY
Wilkinson laughed.
"By Joye, though, Tom, do study
now, and Eomistake. I'm one of the
coming men, can tell you. I'm going
in for medicine on new theory"
And how about your practice while
YOU are perSecting your theory?'
"O my aunt will buy me practice
fast enough Yes, my boy, Pm going
TO reyolutonize medicine. No more
doctorlng up mans body; that avast
mistake.
"What are You going to do them"
doctor up his mind
Wilkinson smiled; he did not quite
see what his friend was driving at.
However, he had considerable interest
in science, and still more in Jack Spen-
Ger S progress, SO he asked to be fur
thcr enlightened.
There was nothing that Spencer
wanted So much as an appreciative
listener. He launched out under full
sail.
Its a perfect mystery to me, Tom,
and to few other men, why such mar
velous phenomena as we hear of oc-
casionally in the domain of electro
biology, us it's called, obtain so little
scientific attention"
"There's such a lot of humbup con-
nected with it. y suggested Wilkinson.
''0f course there is, butt has sound
basis of fact. The science is in its in
fancy as yet but it must grow. 1t is
a known fact that one mind can influ-
ence another even at distance, is it
not?'
81 once saw a mesmerist, and GER
tainly he seemed able to do ANYTHING,
but | thought he was onlya conjuror.'
Empirical generalization, unworthy
of you, ," remarked Spencer. 81 won't
quote cases. though | might do so for a
week, but just look at those books, they
are full Of well authenticated, scientific
ally-conducted experiments.
He took down from shelf Darwin's
Economic, Macnish's PHILOSOPHY of
Sleep and several volumes of the RE
vue Scientiiique.
"Now," continued Spencer, sit is
proved that the mesmerizer can con-
troll the will. the actions, even the be-
lief of his subjects; if he gives him q
draught Of water he can make him be-
lieve it is champagne; if he gives him
an ink-bOttle he will smell it and think
it lovely rose"
''Have you seen these experimental"
asked Wilkinson. ....
''Seen them? Why, I've made them. g"
Wilkinson looked up astonished.
''Yes, said Spencer, ''that's why
feel such an interest in this business. l
possess the power of mesmerizing to a
considerable degree, and 1 cultivate it
every chance l get. Have little
whiskyP"
Thanks, l will"
"Of course you will, ," replied Spen-
Ger, with u smile. 81 decided that
while we were talking. Influence of
one mind over another, you see."
Wilkinson made a hasty exclamation.
He was rather adverse to being expert
mented on in this way.
"How is all this going to help you in
doctoring?" he asked.
simply enough. Induce q state of
trance; give your patient some water;
make him believe it is the medicine he
requires, and it will have the same
effect. Or if an operation is required