Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-26

said that nv hopes were based on the child.
1t is my belief that the sympathetic vibra-
ton existing between the mother and her
unborn babe was sufficient in this case, at
least, to transmit the last retinal impression
produced on her eyes to those of her child.
And, so terrible was the shock that caused
this vibration and so powerful the vibration
itself, it also suficed to destroy his sight.
As matter of fact, madam, the popularity
1 mentioned is nothing more or less than
just such q natural photograph or optograml
But you shall see tor yourself" And with
out further dedaY called the nurse, and
fully agitated, looked, and with a
low cry of astonishment acknowl-
edged the truth of my remarks.
1t was great disappointment,
however, that she could not recognize the
face. But the fault probably lay in Its
minuteness. And deeply impressed with
the possibilities Of the case Mrs. D. decided
on having the retina photographed, and
then reproduced, enlarged, upon a screen.
Meantime, she would telegraph for Judge
Brainerd, as the one most interested, and
the first throwing of the image should be in
his presence. Pending this, she desired the
matter kept as private as possible. For,
after all, our hope might be in vain, and the
knowledge of which was best reserved for
the family circle All things being thus
arranged, the lady took her departure. In
the afternoon the camera did its work, and
by noon the next day everything was in
readiness.
''In order to better observe the required
privacy had fixed up my private Office for
the occasion, and by way Of trial, threw the
face on the screen before the arrival of the
others.
"a startlingly handsome face, it was
handsome as only creoles and Southerners
occasionally are. A mans face-in the
prime of youth, clear cut, clean shaver, and,
in fact, almost feminine in the delicate style
of its beauty. There was nothing suggestive
of the hardened criminal; nothing limiting
at depraved tastes or brutal instincts. But
the expression! Startled horror and be-
wiiderment were there blended, dilating the
eyes and fixing the parted lips, as it the
man had been suddenly transfxed-momen-
tarily paralyZed-by some sudden and un-
expected shock or visionl But what struck
one the most forcibly was q nameless some
thing in that riveted look, something, sug-
gestive of blunder. As if there had Just
flashed through his brain the dread con-
sciOusness of having unwittingly committed
some terrible, irredeemable mistakel II
fascinated me-that look of startled horror
and amaze. If this man had indeed been
murderer, some deeper. darker tragedy must
have followed the deed. He looked himself
not unlike victim caught in the tolls of
some strange, inexplicable fate.
Promptly at the hour designated, Mrs.
D. put in an appearance, accompanied by
stately, gray-haired man, whom she intro
duced as Judge Brainerd; and with them
came also the nurse and child. The Judge
listened with the keenest interest to nv the
ory of the case, and expressed deep-voiced
wish that it might prove true. He had
never recovered from the shock of his sons
death, and the desire for vengeance on his
murderer was naturally strong within him.
First satisfying himself with regard to the
existence of The optogram in the eyes of the
child, he expressed himself impatient for q
sight of its enlarged image. Without de-
lay, therefore, we three adjourned to my
private Office. As we entered the room, 1
noticed that Mrs. D. seemed strangely agi-
tated and uneasy; she said nothing, how
ever, but afterward told me that she had
had, at that moment, an almost overpower-
ing presentiment of coming evil. That the
Judge was himself excited could not
doubt, but it was rather the excitement of
expectant curiosity, stirred by lively
hope. As for myself, though vaguely con-
uppermost thought was question: Would
the Judge recognize the facet And some
where within that inner consciousness of
mine there arose the answer-'YesP
"The final adjustments made, / slipped in
the slide, and the next instant, in bright,
bold relief, the beautiful face flashed out
upon the white field OF canvas thing of
almost supernatural vividness and power.
"a breathless silence followed the revela-
ton; heard Mrs. D. catch her breath con-
yulsiyely; and then from the man beside
me, there came long, low inarticuiate cry,
succeeded by heavy fall and q woman's
scream.
"'An apoplectic ftp the doctor said.
And as soon as possible they removed the
unfortunate man to his own house. In after
days he recovered hisgeneral health, indeed,
but by some curious half paralysis OF the
brain his memory of events for the better
part OF his past life was entirely blotted out,
and so it remained till the day Of his death.
That the judge had recognized the face was