The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-05-11
RUINED BY SUCCESS.
The Story of Man Who Re-
gretted His Discovery.

=
Shortly after DR.. Horace Wells, of Hart
ford DIR. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, and
distinguished foreign chemist discovered
that nitrous oxide or, as it was popularly
called, laughing or exhilarating gas pro
duced when taken into the lungs the state
of anesthesis or insensibility to pain, | was
student in the most eastern of all oul
colleges, the one located on the elm shaded
banks of the beautiful Kenebec. The dis
Cussion which arose in relation to whom the
credit was due for discovering that nitrou.
oxide would produce iusensibility to pain
the conjec ures in regard to the employ
ment of aninsthetics in surgery, and tn,
more general application of chemistry t,
the useful arts had all tended to make thi
science popular. Most of my class were de
lighted when the term came in which w,
were to receive instruction in somethinl
beside Latin, Greek and mathematics.
| shall never forget the day on which tn,
Cubiect of the compounds of nitrogen wa!
10 be considered in the chemical recitation
room. The professor had stated che da,
before that he should make a 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, IL was stated in
several journals that a person under the in
tueuce of nitrous oxide. being unconscious
of what he was saying and doing and not
bound by any restraint, would display his
natural disposition and manifest his leading
inclination and distinguishing character
isLic 10 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 a circus. |
They were not doomed to disappointment, |
either. The performance was quite as en-
loyable as any ever given under n circus |
tent by our great moral Snowman, besides |
being more novel and unique. Great excite
mcut attended the administration of the |
gas, as nearly every one suspected that the
person under its Influence would display his
!elding propensity or characteristic. If he
did so on this occasion some very strange
re elations were made. For instance, the
treasurer of the class and the favoritc of
the faculty took piece of apparatus from
the lecture table and put it into his coat
pocket. A meek-appearing and sancti-
10y Il woman's aid society with a view of
sauding him to preach the gospel of peace
TO tie savages of Africa assumed the atti-
tide of prize fighter and used the name of
his Maker in n way that was discreditable
to u nome or foreign missionary. To make
tho surprise greater, II youth who was very
careless in his conversations and studies re-
peated in a most solemn, most affecting man
ncr some of the moral maxims of Plato in
n 10 in oh boy ,,tt
lhe disclosures if such they should be
called, made deep impression on Forbes
lie spoke of them for several days after
va.ds. be seemed to be convinced that IA
larSc proportion of people appear TO bc ex-
acty the reverse of what they really are.
He predicted a most brilliant future for
nitrous oxide. AS other substances. known
"a. reagents, were used to detect the presence
Of various acids and bases whose properties
are concealed by the combinations thev
have entered into, so this wonderful gas
would, in his opinion, be employed to de-
tcrmine the true character of human beings.
He declared that he would use it on every
person before he entered on intimate rela-
tO.s with them.
On Saturday, 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 q great
10 ar 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 ce-
ddrs near the waterfall, which only needs
Iongfellow to make it as famous as Mime
hama, and went long distance up the bank
OF the stream. When returned found
thiit he mad 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
70 notice lny approach. After few me-
riauts Of silence, IN which it was difficult TO
determine whether he had observed me or
not as he did not look up, he said
''The world needs something besides nj.
trous oxide. That is all well enough in its
way, but it does not accomplish all that is |
desired. What Is wanted is q substance |
that person can inhale or swallow and un- |
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 |
motives, intentions and purposes. ! am con-
vlnced that there Is such a substance al
ready formed or elements that can be com
blned so as 10 secure it. Quite likely it has !
long been known, but that we are in ignor-
ance OF its properties Great Priesty. the |
founder Of modern chemistry discovered nj |
trous oxide before our fathers were born.
but we are just beginning TO find out what |
II is good tor. 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
so that we could arrive at the 'commonsn
before supper was over. My hunger, unlike
that OF my companion, was OF the kiud
common 10 young follows who have bosn
taking goodly amount Of exercise led
the way, and over 'aost of the route my
speculative friend vas a long distance be-
hind me. He TOOK ais place at the supper
table. but scarcely ,asted any food. Instead
Of going 10 our room after supper we went
down to the bank of the river aud sat under
the trees had retired before heard his
slow step coming up the stairs.
changed roommates at the commence
ment OF the naIt term and saw less OF my