Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-12-03


''You are too ridiculous, Carriston, "
said. ''Some people see what Others
don't because they have longer sight.
You may. Of course, imagine anything.
But your eyes-handsome eyes they
are, too contain certain properties,
known as humors and lenses, therefore
in order to see"
''Ycs, yes" interrupted Carriston; 'I
know exactly all you are going to say.
You. q man Of science, ridicule every
thing which breaks what you are
pleased to call the law of Nature. Yet
take all the unaccountable tales told.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine you ex-
pose TO scorn or throw grave doubts
upon, yet tho thousandth rests on evil
dence which can not be upset or dis
puted- The possibility Of that one
proves the possibility of all. "
''Not at all; but enough for your
argument. said, amused at the boys $
wild talk.
''You DOCTORS" he continued, with
that delicious air OF superiority so often
assumed by laymen when they are in
good health, put too much to the
credit OF diseased imagination.
mo doubt; it's a convenient shelf on
which TO put difficulty. But 20 on. {"
"Ihe body is your province, yet you
can't explain why cataleptic patient
should hear watch tick when it is
placed against his foot"
Nor you; nor any one. But per-
haps IL may aid you 10 get rid Of your
publishing theories II i tell you that
catalepsy, as you understand il. is A
disease not known to us; in fact, Il does
not exist"
lie seemed crest-fallen at hearing
this. But what do You want TO
ProyeP" / asked. What have Won
seen yourselfPn
Nothing, l tell you. And I pray J
may never sec anything"
After this he seemed inclined to shirk
the subject, but pinned him 10 IT, /
was really anxious TO get at the true
state OF his mind. In answer 10 the lead
ing questions with which / piled him.
Carriston revealed an amount of super-
stltion which seemed utterly childish
aud out Of place beside the intellectual
faculties which he undoubtedly pos
sessed. So much 30, that at last felt
more inclined to laugh than TO argue
with him.
Yet was not altogether amused by
his talk. His wild arguments and
wilder beliefs made me fancy there
must be weak spot somewhere in bis
brain-eyen made me fear lest his end
might be madness. The thought made
me sad; for, with the exception of the
eccentricities which have mentioned l
reckoned Carriston the pleasantcst
friend l had ever made. His amiable
nature, his good looks and perfect
breeding had endcared the Young man
TO me; so much so that | resolved.
during the remainder Of the time we
should spend together, to do all could
toward talking the nonsense out Of him.
My Efforts were unal ailing. kept a
sharp lookout upon him, and let him
fall into no more mysterious reveries;
but the curious idea that he posse ssed.
or could possess some gift above hu.
man nature was too firmly rooted 10 be
displaced. On all other subjects ne
argued fairly and was open 10 reason.
On this one point he WAS immoyable.
when could get him 10 notice my at
tacks at all, his answer was
You doctors, clever as you are with
the body, know as little OF psychology
rs You did three thousand years ago. ~
When the time came for me 10 fold
up my easel and return 10 the drudgery
Of life, / parted from Carrston with |
much regret One Of those solemn, but
often broken, promises to join together
next year In another sketching tour
passed between us. Then went back |
% London, and during the subsequent
months, although ! saw nothing OF him,
often thought OF nay friend OF the
.utumn.