Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-04


self. / touched a butto n. lighted a cigar
and drew chair to the opposite side OF the
fireplace.
"Permit me-" began rather nervously,
''to congratulate you upo your success.
knew it must come to you in time"
Excuse me-" he retu rned. "you knew
nothing of the kind. In fact, you had be-
gun to look upon me as a,permanent failure.
But told you one night last summer that
wealth was within my grasp. You doubted
me then. You did not fully realize that four
parts of Ampere to one of Hamerton is the
formula for the Philosophers Stone"
Great Heaven, Rodney, you don't mean
to tell me that you have carried into
practice your strange theory regarding
electric currents? can't believe it..
He stood up and leaned against table,
his hands behind him.
This is my first visit to the club, he
said. "You just rang for boy did you
not?"
'rYes."
HE has never seen me, of course. Watch
him when he comes in.
We were alone in the smoking room, and
for a few moments there was silence, except
for the jolly jarkling of the fire.
A bov in uniform entered the apartment.
1.-TWO ponies of curacao said TO him.
He did not hear me. With strange
smile on his face, he was looking at Rod
ney.
1.-TWO ponies OF curacao, repeated.
The bow paid no attention to me, but
slowly approached Rodney, like rabbit
fascinated by an anaconda. 1 now believe
that Rodney reduced the force of the current
at that instant, for Buttons came to his
senses with a start
eyes. sir-vou want? You want?"
He was still looking at Rodney, who re-
peated my order, and again were we left
alone.
was more amused than astonished at the
time though since then I have pondered
day and night over the details of Rodney's
magnetic device The only thing that 1
ever learned regarding his methods was
that in attracting person he always held
at least one hand behind him, while in re-
pelling anyone he kept both hands before
him. Perhaps scientists can make better
use of these bare facts than / can.
Rodney resumed his seat and looked into
the fire, as he calmly puffed perfecto. He
did not seem to care whether or not L was
impressed by his power, and actually paid
no attention to my comments on his recent
performance.
watched him closely. There was a
shadow on his face, and a strained look
about his eyes, as though his effort to attract
the waiter had been made at the expense of
q certain amount of nervous force
W.
pose that now that you have achieved wealth
and fame you are perfectly happy"
He looked at me and smiled rather sadly.
mo, my boy I'm not happy. once thought
that money and glory were all that are needed
10 make a man contentad. But, it seems, there
is always one thing required to complete our
existence. Man never is, but always to be
blest.' The one thing necessary we never get"
He slipped his liquor musingly.
"And in your case that one thing is, lat pres
"A certain woman"
/ was astonished. EYou mean-you mean
that you're in love- faltered.
Yes, that's it. I'm in love God help mep
swell, if your recent manifestation of mag
netic power finds no obstacle in sex, am sure
would back your chances of winning any
That's the very point" he exclaimed. sex
makes no difference to my device, and so find
tion a man ever endured"
What do you mean?
sJust this. When found last summer that
me as chose. had no scruples about taking
advantage of my power. 1t made no impress
sion upon my conscience that could SO i'm
press a capitalist that he would invest money
in behalf of nv sight for rifles Was he not TO
be q gamer in the end? What did care that
by the use of my electromagnetic apparatus
could fascinate man and make him engage
me to run his business? He obtained more
benefit from the arrangement than l did.
Why, in short should lose my selfrespect if
obtained from the world that which was my
due2 l was simply repairing the defects with
which nature had handicapped me- And SO
went on from triumph to triumph, making
money, fascinating men, manipulating my
electric current that it would fill my pocket.
Behold the result From poverty am raised
10 aftiuence, from an Insignificant individual
have become a famous man; have my luxuri-
Gus apartments, my horses, my clubs, and
dress and live as well though had never
known the narrow affairs of the East Side. All
this is the result of simple invention which
enables me to make any man my friend"
"And yet you are not content" suggested
mo, Unfortunately my scientific expert
ment has shown me that have a conscience.
DO you Margaret Durand?"
'Yes. am going to her reception tonight"
$50 am ]. Well, my dear boy, love her.
love her with purity and intensity that no
man ever yet showed for woman. Why?
TO win her, and 1 will not give way to the
temptation. Do you follow me? could in an
instant place myself above all men in her re-
gard, but scorn TO take advantage of my
power. She must love me naturally. not scien-
tifcally. could make her as dOcile to my will
as the waiter who came to us awhile ago, but
would that be Iair to her? Would such a
course result in happiness to either of us?'
puffed on in silence for time Never be-
fore had had such subtle problem in ethics
presented to me. Had the temptation been
mine, know right well that should have en-
ployed every influence in my power TO win the
woman of my love, but could not undertake
seemed to expect me to speak, however, saId:
You have never used the means at your dis
DOsal then, TO win nerI'
LAS told you, no."
''Do YOU think that, laying aside the manipu-
lation of currents, you could attract herr
HNo,"
"What makes you think soY'
:Look at me. Am 1 a man that would be
likely to please such womanr'
"You might affect some women" answered
honestly, "but not Margaret Durand. As they
say in society, you are not her style"
"You right, my boy. Thank you for re-
plying TO me with so much frankness. But
place yourself for moment in my position.
can win her consent to our marriage by the
slightest effort. You have no conception Of
The power now WELD. If / was a bold, bad
man no family in the city would be safe for an
then to deny myself the only thing 1 crave be-
ca1se of a sentimental regard for that thread
bare word 'honOr?"
He arose from his chair and walked up and
down the room in a manner which recalled to
me our last meeting
But" said. "you know as well as do that
q union under such circumstances would not be
ultimately happy. Suppose, for instance, that
some day you forgot to keep with YOU your de-
vice, design, invention, contTivance or what
ever you call it. Where would you be thenf'
He stopped in his walk and looked at me
earnestly.
Thank you for those words They have
made man of me. love her too well to take
advantage of her. She shall love me for my
self alone. not at all. am willing to tap
men with my electromagnetic apparatus. but
shall not trust to it for life companion. o
Margaret, worship you If 1 win you not,
death snail be my portion. But shall play
square game. Rest content. Nature shall al
ways direct your current shall not tamper
with it,"
sprang up and grasped his hand.
There is something in you" exclaimed,
"more than pertains to the average electrical
expert. In fact, believe you are a man. You
are worthy a thousand Margaret Durands."
Rather an Oriental idea, isn't it?' he re-
turned, smiling But we must be of, if we
are going to the reception"