The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-10-20
CREMATED.


markable experience | know that am
laying myself open to the accusations of
the incredulous and the skeptical, still
On account of it's unique character and
because l myself remain a skeptic,
shall relate the adventure exactly as if
occurred to me-
When was studying medicine in the
Scottish university of Aberdeen formed
me acquaintance of Isidore del Seilano, a
young Italian who had chosen the
Granite City school for his studies Our
TASTES were in many respects identical,
end our acquaintanceship soon developed
INTO a friendship of the firmest and most
animate description. | may say that
slough we have long been separated by
the exigencies of our respective battles
for life, the friendship remains to this
day as cordial as ever.
Del Seilano and had many interests
m commop, but none was stronger than
eur desire to dip into the mysteries of
The supernatural We passed out of the
university on the same day with our de-
Erees of bachelor of medicine and mas
ter of surgery, and as we separated at
the great gate of Marischal college we
promised to keep each other posted as to
al our movements.
Del Seilano went to his home in the
vicinity of Marseilles, where his family
formerly possessed large estates. NY
star led me from one quarter of the
world to the other, forced me to give up
the practice of medicine, and finally
brought ME over to the United States,
where presently fancied | had found
my metier in the profession of Journal
ism. But my visits to England have
been frequent, and upon the occasion of
enc of these flying trips about six years
ago again met my old friend.
was sitting in my room in the Grand
hotel at Charing Cross making prepare
hons for my return to New York in five
days time when bellboy handed me
the card of Isidore del Seilano | pass
over our mutual pleasant greetings
Isldore told me he had been in London
for some four months, having deter
mined upon trying his luck as a prac-
htioner there. He had grown into a
steady. somewhat morose man, remark
ably handsome. dark and stern. But
his black eyes softened as we talked OF
our old friendship. Presently he told me
that he had continued his metaphysical
studies, and among other things had be-
come strong advocate for cremation.
He had even perfected and was about to
patent crematorium on the most an
proved principles.
He hoped l would come and see this
new machine. He had it at his house in
Harley street Why should not come
to spend the evening with him? Suffice
to say that in addition to the feeling of
amity which existed there was the news
paper mans anxiety to see something
novel. 1t was therefore agreed that
should dine with Isidore and spend the
evening with him.
found him awaiting me. We had all
excellent dinner Having lit our ciga-
rettes. at my hosts request | followed
him into his study, there to enjoy our
smoke by ourselves and to talk over his
great invention. Once comfortably
seated in cur big armchairs the light
hearted manner of my friend changed to
one of serious earnest, and | at once saw
that he meant to take me completely
into his confidence. and would insist
upon my doing" the crematorium very
thoroughly.
1t was long story that he told me of
his arriving at the conviction that cre-l
nation was the proper mode of lispos-
ing of the dead. II have experimental
upon living and dead animals of every
kind" he said suddenly. 'ibut never upon
a human being. And before can be
certain that my machine is perfect in
every detail 1 must do this Moreover
(and here found that he was gradually
becoming more serious in his manner
and was gazing with growing intent
ness at me), l mean to have a living
human being upon whom to expert
ment, and | have come to the conclusion
That no one could more appropriately
serve me than my oldest and dearest
friend. You viii do me this favor. will
you not?"
How shall describe the sensation Of
horror which crept over me as heard |
these words spoken with stony coldness.
yet with an affectation Of friendship |
which positively shocked me. l was
about to rise from my seat, indignant, |
when. with peculiar glitter in his eve
and - forward movement Of his BODY
and outstretched hand. he exclaimed:
''Sit where you are! You must do as
1 sayi You are the subject for my first |
and greatest experiment.
sank back in my. char with a sigh of |
helplessness and relinq quished myself to |
his will without = word of protest. Ris-
ing from his seat he bade me follow |
him. With an uneasy sense of PRESENT.
ment | rose unsteadily to my feet and |
we passed together from the room Up
a few steps to a short corridor, along
a passage andinto small room about II |
feet wide by IS feet long.
The room was dark when we entered,
but as isidore touched a little wooden
knob it was flooded with brilliant light
from several incandescent electric lamps.
Along one side of the room stood sort I
of trestle bed, upon which was plank
on rollers. In front of the foot of this |