Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-08
Gales aud Sketfhes.
ALICE DAWSON.
Continued from yesterday

| cipally from an old newspaper ME- VI
course was unable to learn the exact
cause of the removal Of the Dawsons, but
il seems quite reasonable to suppose that
Mrs. Dawson, being reminded of her lost
daughter every time she entered this room.
urged her husband to vacate the house.
However, am inclined to think that a
more powerful motive was the cause and
since have determined to clear up this
mystery, this will be my starring point.
Ten thousand dollars is a prize worth
working for. and NAV as we'll tell you.
since You will of course assist me in the
undertaking, that have theory of the
case quite at variance with that of the de:
tectives. They looked for motive and
found a natural and reasonable one. Since
this has tailed shall adopt an entirely
different metbod-one at once unnatural,
unreasonable and without apparent mo-
tive"
"Will you give me your deductions ?"
asked.
Not yet need . few links to connect
the chain. Let US retire. I can think
better Just before | sleep"
Itw was late when fell asleep, and
could not have slept long when awoke
and found my companion sitting up writ
ing. / soon tell asleep again, and was
awakened this time by a strong smell of
coffee My friend had breakfast prepared.
We drank our coffee, left the house, hailed
car and rode into the city.
Now" said my companion, Il have
prepared synopsis of this case, and l
find that our first step is to see NJ. Daw-
son. He can be seen at his office at IL.
We have nearly two hours to spare. and
we can use it to good advantage by search
ing an old file of newspapers"
Shortly after IL a carriage drove up to
the office. and Mr.. Dawson and a young
man alighted. They found us waiting
for them. Mr.. Dawson greeted us cordial
ly. and the other. his afflicted son, grinned
and left the room.
After few commonplace remarks. my
companion alluded to the son. and asked
if he was under treatment at present.
"A hopeless case" the father said,
Everything has been done that can be.
/ am not encouraged to try again"
My companion asked if he had tried
manopalhy or mesmerism; and he
launched out into a comprehensive and
entertaining explanation of their philoso-
ply their causes and effects. how equilibri-
UNI had been restored. and many diseases
of the nervous 81 stem relieved and posi-
lively cured by treatment. He cited many
instances of such cures-many of them
cases coming under his own observation.
Mr.. Wells was an earnest talker. positive
in his statements. and carried conviction
with nearly everything he eaid. On this
subject he was entirely at home, and
what he said interested MIR. Dawson. My
companion asked if he might see the son,
and the father called him IN. The young
man seemed quite shy at first grinned and
hung his head, but my friend was not
long interesting him, and at a nod of APP
prevail from the father the operator secured
the imbecile's attention. gazed tor a mo-
ment or two into his eyes, and made few
mesmeric passes. The subject evinced
signs of somnolency; the idiotic grin
faded from his countenance, and look of
intense interest took its place. In few
moments the young mans head dropped
upon his chest and he slept. At word
from the operator he awoke, stared vacant.
| " about him, and in a moment the idiOtic
grin returned to his cOuntenance. Again
the subject was impressed, and the same
facial changes took place. The operator
questioned him and received lucid respon-
ses The father was astonished and de-
lighted and before we took our departure
an appointment was made for my COM
panion at Mr.. Dawson's residence.
On our way to the castle my friend said
II have succeeded in my first step, and
the way is now clear"
Il cannot comprehend just what cen
nection all this has with the mysterious
disappearance of Alice Dawson" | said.
You shall very soon know"
The next evening he proceeded to the
residence of MIR. Dawson. was to meet
him at theatre near by at 10 o'clock
Re turning to our lodgings he seemed in
excellent spirits, and remarked that every
thing was going smoothly, II will reach
the climax Tuesday evening, and you are
to be present"
He spent the greater portion of tina,
night in reading an old volume entitled,
PHILOSOPHY of the mind" and in making
notes.
Tuesday evening arrived and we were
ushered into the magnificent parlors at the
residence of Mr.. Dawson. | asked nv
friend if the portrait lover the mantel was
of Alice Dawson, but at that moment Mr.
Mrs. and Alfred Dawson entered. The
latter greeted my companion very cordial
ly. but did not seem pleased at my pres
ence In few minutes he evinced signs
of "sleep- walking" and the wonderful
changes of facial expression took place
which | had noticed on the previous occa.
sion. The operator made one or two
passes and the subject closed his eyes and
slept Mr.. Dawson held whispered con
sultation with my friend, and Mrs. Daw.
son withdrew from the room.
Now, Mr.. Dawson" said nv compan.
ion. 81 have been informed that reward
of $40, 900 has been offered for the recove.
~ of your abducted daughter, or for the
conviction of the abductor or abduct ors
Have been correctly informed"
You have."' said MI Dawson; "bul
what has that to do with your operations
upon my SOM"
II will tell you. At my last operation
| ascertained that your son is a clarvoy-
ant; that the facts relating to this mystery
are known to him. and the principal cir.
cumstances are now in my possession.
have not succeeded, however. in elicitine
all the incidents but am convinced that
the conditions are such tonight that every
thing will be related just as it occurred
Convince me that what you say is true
and you shall have the reward before you