Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-09
RUINED BY SUCCESS.
The Story Of a Man Who Re-
GREETED His Discovery.

GREETED His Discovery.
Shortly after DR.. Horace Wells of Hart
ford, DR.. Charles T. Jackson of Boston, and
distinguished foreign chemist discovered
that nitrous oxide or, as it was popularity
called, laughing or exhilarating gas pro.
duced when taken into the lungs the state
OF anasthesis or insensibility to pain, / was
a student in the most eastern of all our
colleges, the one located OF the elm-shaded
banks of the beautiful Kenebec. The dis
cussion which arose in relation to whom the
credit was due for discovering that nitrous
oxide would produce insensibility to pain,
the conjectures in regard TO the employ
ment of an9sthetics in surgery, and the
more general application OF chemistry 10
the useful arts had all tended to make this
science popular. Most of my class were de-
lighted when the term came in which we
were to receive instruction in something
beside Latin, Greek and mathematics.
shall never forget the day on which the
subject of the compounds of nitrogen was
to be considered in the chemical recitation
room. The professor had stated the day
before that he should make large quantity
OF nitrous oxide and that he would admin
lister it to as many OF the class as desired to
inhale it. My roommate Forbes and myself
read every thing we could find pertaining
to the subject. Much had recently been
published on the matter in the periodicals.
most of which was more sensational than
scientific. For instance, it was stated in
several journals that person under the in
fiuence of nitrous oxide. being unconscious
of what he was saying ard doing and not
bound by any restraint, would display his
natural disposition and manifest his leading
inclination and distinguishing character
istic to the fullest extent. One journal had
advocated administering this gas to persons
who were suspected of committing crimes,
with a view of satisfying the Claims of
justice
The class exhibited as much pleasure on
going to the chemical recitation that day as
country lads show on their way to circus
They were not doomed to disappointment,
either. The performance was quite as en-
joyable as any ever given under a circus
tent by our great moral Snowman, besides
being more novel and unique. Great excite
ment attended the administration Of the
gas, as nearly every one suspected that the
person under its influence would display his
leading propensity or characteristic If he
did so on this occasion some very strange
revelations were made. For instance, the
treasurer of the class and the favorite OF
the faculty took piece OF apparatus from
the lecture table and put it into his coat
pocket A meek-appearing and sancti-
monious looking student, who was supported
by woman's aid society with view of
sending him to preach the gospel of peace
to tie savages of Africa. assumed the atti-
tude of prize fighter and used the name of
his Maker in way that was discreditable
to home or foreign missionary. To make
the surprise greater. a youth who was very
careless in his conversations and studies re-
peated in a most solemn, most affecting man.
ner some of the moral maXims of Plato in
the language in which they were uttered.
The disclosures, if such they should be
called, made deep impression on Forbes.
He spoke of them for several days after
wards. He seemed to be convinced that a
large proportion of people appear to be ex-
actly the reverse of what they really are
He predicted most brilliant future for
nitrous oxide. AS other substances, known
as reagents, were used to detect the presence
OF various acids and bases whose properties
are concealed by the combinations they
have entered into, so this wonderful gas
would, in his opinion, be employed to de-
termine the true character of human beings
AAC uCSAaAC GU bhdI HC "Oulu use IL Ou every
person before he entered on intimate rela-
lions with them.
On Saturday, a few weeks afterwards,
Forbes and took long stroll into the coun- |
try. We visited the DEVILS Easy Chair and |
the Cascade, familiar places TO most of the |
students Of Colby. Though he was a great |
lover Of natural scenery, and that which we |
saw was beautiful, still it did not appear to |
engage his attention. He did not seem to |
be absent-minded, but to be thinking on |
some peculiar subject He was melancholy, |
restless and taciturn. As he was not in mood |
to be companionable left him under the &C. |
dars near the waterfall, which only needs a |
to make il as famous as Mime |
haha, and went a long distance up the bank |
Of the stream. When / returned l found |
that he had not changed his position. He still |
sat on the green bank, one arm about cedar
tree, his eyes fixed on the pool below the
the charming waterfall He did not appear
to notice my approach. After a few mo
ments OF silence, in which it was difficult to
determine whether he had observed me or
not, as he did not look up, he said:
1.-The world needs something besides nj
trous oxide. That is all well enough in its
way, but 1t does not accomplish all that is
desired. What is wanted is a substance
that person can inhale or swallow and I'M
der the influence OF which he will be able to
see others as they really are, to penetrate
all DISCUSSES, to read character and discern
intentions and purposes. am con-
WINGED that there is such a substance al
ready formed or elements that can be COM
bined so as to secure it. Quite likely it has
long been known, but that we are in ignor-
ance of its properties. Great Priestly, the
founder OF modern chemistry discovered nj
Irous oxide before our fathers were born.
but we are just beginning to find out what
Il is good for. He discovered better than
he knew He produced what others have
derived advantage from though he gained
none
Being very tired from our long walk
urged the propriety of our returning home
50 that we could arrive at the commons"
before supper was over Ny hunger, unlike
that of my companion, was of the kind
common to young fellows who have been
taking goodly amount of exercise. He'd
the way, and over most of the route nv
speculative friend was long distance be-
hind me. He took his place at the supper
table, but scarcely tasted any food Instead
Oh going to our room after supper we went
down to the bank OF the river and sat under
the trees. / had retired before 1 heard his
slow step coming up the stairs.
! changed roommates at the commence
ment Of the next term and saw less of nv