The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-09-07

tall, handsome, indolent man with
q big mustache, which had raptivat-
ed all the young ladies i'll Dullish-
and Miss Hannah Steptoe. But it
was not solely the mustache that
had wrought the mischiefin her case.
The Captain, in spite of his drawing
tones, and eyes which we're seldom
really open, was reputed to have
seen NJ. .'e of the world than most
people of double TIE age. This alone
would be quite enough to explain her
secret admiration OF him.
The preparations for her entertain
ment were prodigious. Never was
there such n baking of cakes and
toasting of mullins and washing of
quaint little cups and saucers. The
kettle was unusually tedious, and
when the tea was made the solemn
servant terrified her mistress with
the suggestion that the water had
never boiled after all. With awed
faces they peered into the splendid
silver teapot, which was reserved for
state occasions, and when they be-
held several leaves floating on the
surface their expressions were most
tragic.
Martha, this is too dreadful ex:
claimed Miss Steptoe, with uplifted
hands.
"Yes, ma'am, it il" replied Martha.
"Tve never known the like to happen
in our house before-no, never.
1t was some time before Miss Step
toe recovered from the shock. Her
domestic duties imposed such a strain
upon her she almost forgot the ex.
element of her plot. But when, at
tired in her best gray silk and dain.
test cap, she sat down to await the
coming of her guests, she was all a
tremble.
Her manner, when receiving them,
was marked by extreme nervousness,
but no one, looking at the prim little
lady, would have attributed the cause
to anything more extraordinary
than catastrophe in the kitchen.
When she had poured out the tea
and Martha had handed round the
cakes and mullins and retired, she
lost no time in coming to the point.
Wouldn't it be very nice and i'll
teresting, you know, Professor So
brinski," she said to that distin-
guished foreigner, whose big nose,
lowering over his cup, resembled the
beak ola bird, "to carry memserism a
little further than you do?"
A breathless silence fell upon all,
,, for the Professor was about to speak.
Every eyewas eagerly bent him
as he sat down his cup. The only
person who saw any humor in the
situation was himself, and he was to
clever to show it.
ain what way?" he asked.
"Well, replied Miss Steptoe, "your
subjects can't resist the power of
your will, can they?"
"No, Miss Steptoe."
you can make them do pre-
cisely what you like. You can
even separate soul from body"
"Just So" assented the Professor.
"Then why not make somebody's
spirit enter somebody else's body?
A sort of temporary exchange, you
know, and then each would have the
thoughts and feelings OF the other.
Wouldn't such an experiment tend
to more brotherly love? l mean, by
enabling us to see things from diff
ferent stdndpoints."
"No doubt" said the professor,
smiling, though the glitter in his
eyes was anything but pleasant.
"Upon whom, Miss Steptoe, do you
wish me to experiment.
"As she glanced round the silent
circle gathered before the fire, there
was very general shrinking. The
ladies covered behind their tea-cups,
and several Of the gentlemen stand
ing in the background were mean
enough to hide behind their neigh.
bors.
"Well," said Miss Steptoe, with
recognition, "if it will serve the in
terests of science, | don't mind offer
ing myself"
BY this time the ladies were thor
oughly frightened, and several be-
gan to demonstrate. But Professor
Sobrinski took no notice of them.
"Who else?" he asked.
Captain Henniker, won't your"
timidly said Miss Steptoe, after q
pause. "a soldier oughtn't to be
afraid, you know. Won't you join
me in the sacred cause of science?"
"With pleasure he drawled, bow
ing from a chair opposite. "Onlv
too happy to oblige lady. But no
larks, Professor! You must let me
get back to myself. or it might be
awkward for Miss Steptoe. I
wouldn't Inconvenience her for the
world"
"My experiments never fall" said
the Professor; "please let us begin at
once"
He proceeded in the usual way,
making each of his subjects gaze
fixedly at u coin held in such posi-
ton as to throw a strain upon the
eyes. The spectators watched the
the operation with some curiosity
and no little trepidation, not a word
being spoken by any OF them. 1t
was the Professor. and not his sub
iccts. who riveted their attention.
There was a strange fascination
about his glittering eyes, and as the
Pickering freight fellupon his tall
figure and sallow. bird-like face and
lowering hands he reminded many
vulture.
Captain Henniker, though ut the
first a trifie FESTIVE, eventually fell
under the magician's spell. Miss
Steptoe succumbed at once. When
Professor Sobrinski examined their
eyes he found that both his subjects
were thoroughly under the mesmeric
influence. Then he smiled grimiy,
just as he had smiled before.
$50 far, so good }" he said snow
for the nextstage." He fiuttered his
fingers in front of Captain Henniker.
Remember yon are Miss Steptoe."
He turned and repeated the gesture
before her "And you are Captain
Henniker.
With a singulary sly expression