The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-27
AN EXPERIMENT..

l felt that L could not do better than to
complete my education abroad. As l
wished to perfect my already excel
lent knowledge of modern languages, I
thought that a residence in some CONT
mental town would enable me to accom-
plish both purposes.
Whether chose the university of Got
tingen or Heidelberg do not care to
state; and if the ingenious reader can
learn from internal evidence that [ pur-
sued my studies at neither Of these great
institutions Of learning let him not be
surprised. l prefer not to indicate pre-
cisely the scene of the strange happening
about which 1 am going to tell, for rea-
SOILS which will be readily understood
by any one who attentively peruses this
story.
Let it be enough, then, to say that l
entered a foreign university, was prop
erly matriculated, joined one Of the
numerous student clubs, learned to COM
ply with its foolish customs, and became
thoroughly identified with the students.
We were instructed principally by lect-
ures. Some of US took notes, some drew
Caricatures or scrawled verses upon the
otherwise blank pages Of our books, and
only very few became thoroughly i'm
bued with the enthusiasm for learning
which animated many of the learned
men who expounded TO us the aCcumu-
lated wisdom of the ages and prOpounded
novel theories of their own.
While l was not equally interested in
all Of the lecturers, there were one or two
of them who deeply impressed me-none
more deeply than Herr Schwartz. He
was a short, thick set man, with tightly
curling black hair and beard. His nar.
tionality | am not certain about, but /
think he was German or Austrian. He
lectured upon Comparative Anatomy
and Physiology" and was an advanced
and uncompromising evolutionist. By
advanced l do not mean an evClutionist
of these latter days-one of the men of
science who admit away or explain 30
much that they state nothing definitely
but one of the old and imperfect dis
ciples Of Darwin. Herr Schwartz had not
the slightest doubt of mans descent from
the monkey or from some allied form. So
much soon learned from his lectures;
and when my close attention in the lect-
ure room had drawn his attention to me
and we became better acquainted found
his views to be even more downright and
avowed than supposed.
Outside of his lecture hours Herr
Schwartz was believed to spend the
greater part of his time in his laboratory
"a large and mysterious building stu
ated upon the outskirts of the town.
Much curiosity existed among the stu
dents as to the nature of the researches
he carried on in this gloomy building,
but never, SO far as we knew, had any
student been admitted within its window
less walls.
Great, then, was my surprise one morn
ing when the learned lecturer was tax
ing long walk with me-a thing that
he had done once or twice since he dis
covered my intense interest in his bold
theories-to receive an invitation to come
with him 20 inspect his laboratory. My
establishment must have been evident In
my expression, for he said:
Comet is it so strange that l should
ask a student to my laboratory"
Indeed, no" l answered, with some
hesitation; but imagined"-
YES" he interrupted, you thought
because l had never thrown open my
working room to the general rabble OF
students that there was some mystery
about it-something / wished to conceal.
All, no. You are different; you have a
truly scientific mind. To the ordinary
intellect what l am doing would seem
but nonsense. Incapable of oOmpre-
hending me, they would see in my ex'
periments but the vagaTies of lunatic.
But once l have shown You the plan, the
reason, the theory. upon which work
you VIII see the logical. basis for each
wheel and each cog iTeshe whole appar'
atus.
Il am proud, indeed, Herr Schwartz.
/ began, but he did not wait for the end
of my sentence.
There Is no reason for pride" he said,
waving his hand disdainfully. GU
cannot helpit. You are from the United
States. You Judge all things without
prejudice and upon their merits. II Is
the result Of your environment, nothing
more. VIII you come:
Most willingly" answered. When
shall my visit be made"
Today" he said promptly.
But it is your lecture day, said
looking at my watch; land in fact you
will have no more time than is necessary
even if you should 90 now to the lecture
room"
Bah" he answered. with curl of the
lip. ''-Ehat care l for the gaping faces
of those boobies now? II is true / have
spent two years in pelting their dough
faces with crumbs Of science which not
one Of them can receive. But now al
that is past. My apparatus Is at last
ready. Today it viii be put Ii opera
ton
"Will il not be better, then, for me &c
postpone my visit for another timer
asked, not wishing 70 inconvenience the
experimentor.
You do not understand said Herr
Schwartz, turning 10 me with smile.
81 do not sSk YOU TO come into the place
so long saEred to my deepest musings,
nv most Important researches, merely
as g spectator TO be amused, nor as a
student to be instructed. need help
= ".