The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-04-03
A SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT.

ON w llkIH5Ou Ilstu ipOfACO lOl w SliN
to the evening of the 18th of December
with some amount of pleasure. He
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, Toms
7fdlacee, to come as well. Tom had but
. few opportunities of meeting Amy, so
he naturally was glad of this one, es-
peciallv-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 lit to leave
them alone for an instant.
Jack Spencer scarcely saw the fun of
having Tom up to spend an evening
irving 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. "
81 don't care if do; bat I'm afraid
Amy won't half like my leaving her.
'sQuite mistake; don't flatter your
self so grossly. Besides, you'll see
plenty of her when you're married.
She'll get on very well with my aunt
now they're alone, and it strikes me
you weren't getting on very brilliantly.
Now what will you smoker"
s'Tve some rather good cigars was
Wilkinscn's reply; ''let me offer you
one"
He put his hand in his pocket.
''Confound itr' he exclaimed: 81
must have left my case in my great
coat"
sNever mind, old man, try this pipe;
it's 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 a jolly den you haver' he
said. as he lit up.
s'Not so bad. Don't let my aunt
hear you call it den, though; it's a
study"
Wilkinson laughed.
''By Jove. though, Tom, l do study
now, and no mistake. 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 perfecting your theory?"
80! my aunt will buy me practice
fast enough. Yes, my boy, I'm going
to revolutionize medicine. No more
doctoring up mans body; that avast
mistake
''What are you going to do then?''
''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-
GERS progress, so he asked to be fur
ther enlightened.
There was nothing that Spencer
wanted so much as an appreciative
listener. He launched out under full
sail.
'sIt's perfect mystery to me, Tom,
and to few other men, why such mar
yelous phenomena as we hear of Oc-
casionally in the domain of electro
biology. rs it's called, obtain so little
scientific attention"
There's such lot of humbug con-
nected with il" suggested Wilkinson.
"Of 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 intlu-
ence another even at a distance, is it
not?"
81 once saw a meSmerist, and GER
.-l, h. ohl 20 do onx-thinn
but thought he was onlya cOniuror.
Empirical generalization, unworthy
of you" remarked Spencer. 81 won't
quote cases. though might do so for q
week, but just look at those books, they
are full of well-authenticated,s scientific
ally-conducted experiments.
He took down from a shelf Darwin
ssZoonomia." Macnish's PHILOSOPHY OF
Sleep" and several volumes of the IRE
yue Scientifque.
''Now," continued Spencer, cit is
proved that the meSmerizer can con
troll the will. the actions, even the be,
lief of his subjects; if he gives him 8
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
1t a lovely rose"
Shave you seen these experiments?
asked Wilkinson.
''Seen them? Why, I've made them.
Wilkinson looked up astonished.
''Yes, )" said Spencer. ''that's why
feel such an interest in this business
possess the power OF mesmerizing to s
considerable degree. and l cultivate il
every chance l get. Have little
whisky?"
Thanks, L will"
s'Of course you will, p" replied Spen-
Ger, with smile. 81 decided thai
while we were talking. Influence o.
sone mind over another, you see"
Wilkinson made hasty exclamation
He was rather adverse to being expert
mented on in this way.
''How is all this goiug to help you il
doctoringP" he asked.
Simply enough. Induce a state Of
trance; give your patient some water
make him believe it is the medicine ht
requires, and it will have the same
effect. Or if an operation is required
you can perform it during the trance
as he is quite insensible to pain"
but can you always induce thi:
trahce?"
That's weak point. but in time We
shall get over that. can influence
four people out of five. Miss Durant
, for instance. would be very gooC
subject "
~ Wilkinson sat silently smoking for ;
New minutes. Apparently the mentor
Il Amy name had turned his thought.
inSo another channel.
He half wished he was back in tn,
room where she was sitting. Then. h,