The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-17
WITCHCRAFT.
l Translated from the French for the San Fran
 cisco News Letter, by E. F. Dawson.l

I the others in defending his position, and strongly ridiculed pretended sorcerers and those who were good-natured enough to believe in them.
 The crowd gradually dispersed, and that antagonist 10 magic remained alone with another man, who had sat in a cor ner during the course of the dispute, and had appeared to listen attentively with out saying word.
 This person now approached the young man, and said to him, with serious air
 Then, sir, you do not believe in sor cerers?"
 "No, certainly not; will never be, lieve it
 "And if some one should prove to you their existence ?"
 That is impossible. defy all those who might undertake it."
 accept the challenge. Do you fec the courage to follow where l will take you? You have nothing to fear, and you shall be convinced"
 will go with you, sir, but you will not succeed in your purpose"
 That remains for Us to sec"
 They went away together. The un- known conducted the young man to the Rue can Saint Denis. There he made him enter an obscure house, and led him to the fourth story. He opened a door, and invited his companion to enter. The young man hesitated and the unknown .aid
 "Don't be afraid. If you doubt my promise take this pistol and search me-"
 The young man followed him into the room. He saw, by the light of a candle the other soon lighted, that he was in a dismal little room, where there was noth- ing but poor bed, some chairs and a table, whose surface presented a large round opening, and upon which was a short sword unsheathed and a glass of water. The unknown closed the door, which had two locks and bolts. He took the sword, fixed the point against the door, and leaned his head against the hilt, which he held in his hand. After a few momepts of silence he told the other to look in the hole in the center of the table, and not to move without his per mission.
 "What do you see ?"
 " A thick mist, which seems to be roll ing away Heavens see the square at B. recognize it. It is filled with people, who appear to be enjoying them selves"
 Look again more attentively."
 see De L., my intimate friend walking about there; he is this moment joining large group of people"
 Good ]" said the unknown, quitting his position and advancing tow..d the young man. 'Do you believe, now in sorCerers ?"
 " No, do not believe, and will never believe, in spite of what have just seen {; it is an illusion which cannot inspire me with any confidence"
 Then you need other proof Take that sword, and plunge 1t in that glass oi water"
 The young man ooeyed; nothing hap pened.
 "Glve violent blow" the unknown told him
 No sooner said than done. The sword penetrated the bottom of the tumbler. It appeared to the incredulous man that it had pierced tender skin, and that he drew il out covered with blood. He was seized with horror.
 "You obliged me to do it." said the unkn own, opening the door and dismiss ing him. C. in little while you will hear news connected with this. Meanwhile you will make investigations that will be useless. Only yremen Der what day ot the month 1t IS, and that 1t is half past nine in the evening""
 With these words, without listening to word or permitting him to look in the table, he forced him to leave.
 The amazed young man at once gave information to the police. They returned with him in a carriage to the Rue lean Salnt'Dsnis. They went up to the cham Der, whose door was fastened, and burst it open. They found no one. There was only the table, the glass of water. the bloody sword and the rest Of the furni- ture. The table was pierced in the four corners, outside the large hole in the cen ter, through which no one saw anything. The glass ot water was in one of these corner holes. The water was clear. It was learned that the unknown had rented the room for the past month that he al- ways carefully shut himself up there that he saw nobody, and that this same day he had paid ms bill and announced tn al he would go away in the night, but he had carried of the key as usual.
 All search was in vain. Sometime af- terward it was discovered that on the same day, aud at the same moment pointed out by the unknown, M. de L. was in the square at B. on a holiday, and found himself in the midst of crowd, when he suddenly received sword thrust, though no one could tell where it came from. It was even found that the sig. of the wound indicated blade exactly like that of the sword found in the room oi the unknown.
 "Take Courage, Heart" is the title of vocal gem, words and music by I. B.