Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-28
A SCIENTIFIC TRIUMPH.

finally succeeded in perfecting his inven-
ton. He had come so very near success
scores of times, only to fail; but now he
felt assured that everything was com
plcte, and the final test was to be made.
This idea of the professor was curl
GUS one, and he had lahored patiently over
it for wears in secret, his faith in Ultimate
triumph serving to carry him through his
many dismal failures. The device, as
have said, was {. curious one. It wGs a
continuance which, when placed In the
hat Of man and worn on his head, would
indicat trui hfully that person thoughts.
It was simple, inofensive looking arti-
Gle, closely resem bling a sheet of white
paper, and SO very innocent was its ap-
pearance that it could be placed in the
hat of even the most wary without Great
ing any suspicion. But this must neces-
sarily be done with caution, and when ex-
tracted, by the initiated only could be
read the hieroglyphies on the white sheet
the thoughts of the wearer Of the hat.
What advantage the realization of his
idea would be to mankind in general the
professor did not stop to inquire. He had
been too much absorbed for that; but he
was not the kind OF man who would
utilize his newly acquired power to
neighbours disadvantage. He was too re-
fined to be indelicately inquisitive, and
too Indifferent to his neighbors to care
much about them in aay WAY. HIS inven-
ton must be success first, and after
wards he might possibly stop to consider
how it might benefit the human race.
Now, however, that everything was
really finished, and be felt that he was
.Lo,,4 10 ba xvoS II, favar
TO experiment ON some one-and yet he
was loath to unearth any ones secrets.
Tine first person who occurred to him as
a convenient subject for experiment was
Adele, his nephew's daughter who danced
and sang about the house from morning
till night like veritable fairy. the pro-
fessor's spirits rose az he thought of her
and almost instantly sank again. 1t would
be SO easy to secrete the paper in her large
garden hat, where it lay on the table in
the hall, but the professor had qualms Of
conscience Would it be quite fair or
honorable to read the innermost thoughts
of young girl just blooming into woman
hood? The professor had old fashioned
ideas of honor and delicacy where women
were concerned, and he decided that it
would not be right. Then there was that
adorable woman Bertha, Adele's mother
and his nephew's wife. who had been
driven from her husbands side by his
cruelty and brutality (who looked scarcely
older than her tall l6-year-old daughter,
and had for five years taken charge OF the
professors house. He would like well
enough to know her secret thoughts on
many subjects, himself included; but she
was woman and he could not, honor
ably, pry into q womaE's thoughts.
Clearly the professor was in dilemma.
He must experiment upon some man,
that was certain; but whom? And when
the man was found. there would be more
or less difficulty Ia secreting tho paper IN
his hat, and in getting it again. The pro-
fessor had lived so mach to hinsalf, de-
voted to his studies and experiments, and
had gone so little into society. that he
was not learned in the art of small talk
ard little subterfuses, neither bad he any
acquaintance With the art known as
sleight of hand. little knowledge Of
which would have been Of great advan-
tage to him just at present.
a man coming to the house to cati-and
plenty came, for. altL ough the professor
hai few visitors, Bertha had many ad-
mirrors, in spite of her being neither a
ilirt nor widcw-would OF course, leave
his hat in the hall It would be IN easy
thing for the professor to pass through
tho hall and slip the paper in the hat un-
observed; but the difficulty would be in
getting it again, for ti.e man would natu-
rally wear his hat home. The professor
feared IL would be too long to wait until
he should can again; the impression
might be blurred or worn off, for be was
uncertain how long they would remain;
or, the man might discover the paper and
throw # away. At the idea of such reck-
lessness the professor actually shuddered;
but the shudder only strengthened his re-
solve. The experiment must be made,
and made it should be on the very next
man who called at the house.
The very next man" proved to be an
old friend and classmate of the professor S,
onewhom he had not seen for long time,
but to whom he vas deeply attached. An
opportunity offesing. the paper was
slipped into his hist. The professor then
suggested walk around the garden, rs
the evening was warm. and his guest
readily assented. But once out n the
garden. the professors nervousness and
excitement were SO great that conversation
languished. and. conscious that he was not
acting like himself. he soon proposed that
they should return TO the house. To this
proposition his guest responded with
alacrity. and on entering the hall they
both laid their hats on the table. At that
moment Bertha appeared. and the profes-
sor's friend turned TO her with relief. leav-
ing the professor to return to has study.
where he sat listening at the door. feeling
as guilty as any thief. The distant sound
of their voices soon convinced him that it
would be safe to venture forth and take
the paper from its hiding place. which be
accordingly did, trembling with JOY and
expectation Once more IN his study, be
closed and locked the door. and seating him
self at the table, he drew tie shaded lamp
toward him. and. confident and eager,
proceeded to decip6eF the ESeogiyphics
ON the white sheet. Yes! He was right
His invention was . success, but even at
the moment of triumph his face wa
clouded. What did be rea2 few
thoughts concerning the learned subject
they had been discussing IS they left the
house for the garden, and then-'SVhas
tho dsuce Is the matter with the man;
Ee must b losing his mind, for he-erows
sueerer every tine I see him Can 1t Be-
that TOO much Learning Is making hin
mad. Pshaw! In spite OF his learned
reputation the mans whole brain could
be packed IN q nusehell- BE has never
accomplished anything in the scientific
world, and he never will A paodder, and
as dull as plodders always are. 4 Certain
amount OF intelligence. but learned In the
strict sense of the term-pshawl" And
more in the same strain.
The invention WIS SUCCESS, the prp