The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-05-29
AN UNFORTUNATE AFFAIR.
THE RESULT OF HERR SCIIWARTz'S
PROMISING EXPERIMENT.

THE RESULT OF HERR sCIIwARTz's
PROMISING EXPERIMENT
- IL D.. j. u lbs
After / had received diploma from
one Of the Oldest American universities
| felt that could not do better than to
complete my education abroad. As ]
wished to perfect my already excellent
knowledge of modern languages, |
thought that a residence in some CONT
mental town would enable me to accom-
plish both purposes.
Whether | chose the University of
Gottingen or Heidelberg | do not care
to state; and if the ingenious reader
can learn from internal evidence that
lpurSued my studies at neither OF these
great institutions of learning let him
not be surprised. Iprefer not to indi-
cate precisely the scene of the strange
happening about which | am going to
tell, for reasons which will be readily
understood by any one who attentively
peruses this story.
Let it be enough, then, to say that ]
entered foreign university. was prop
erly matriculated, Joined one of the
numerous students clubs, learned to
comply with its foolish customs and
become thoroughly identified with the
students
We were instructed principally by
lectures. Some of us took notes, some
drew caricatures or Scrawled verses
upon the otherwise blank pages of our
books: and only a very few became
thoroughly imhued with the enthu-
clio rr-hi npt, oil
many of the learned men who ex-
pounded to us the accumulated wisdom
of the ages and prOpOunded novel
theories of their own.
While 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 short, thick-set man, with
tightly curling black hair and beard
His nationality / am not certain about,
but | think he was German or Aus
trian. He lectured upon Comparative
Anatomy and Physiology, and was an
advanced and uncomprOmiSing evolu-
ZIONIST. BY advanced do not mean an
evOlutionist of these latter days-one
of the men of science who admit away
or explain so much that they state
nothing definitely-but one of the old
imperfect disciples of Darwin. Herr
Schwartz had not the slightest doubt
of a mans descent from the monkey or
from some allied form. So much
soon learned from his lectures; and
when my close attention in the lecture
room had drawn his attention to me
and we became better acquainted
found HIS views to be even more down.
right and avowed than | supposed.
Outside of his lecture hours. Herr
Schwartz was believed to spend the
greater part of his time in his labOra-
tOry-a large and myteriOuS building
situated upon the outskirts of the
town. Much curiosity existed among
the students 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
it's windowless walls.
Great, then. was my surprise one
morning, when the learned lecturer
was taking long walk with me-a
thing that he had done once or twice !!
since he discovered my interest in his |
bold theories-to receive an invitation
to come with him to inspect his labora- |
been evident in my expression for he |
said:
Come is it so strange that should |
ask student to my laboratory ?''
Indeed, no." / answered. with some
hesitation but imagined''-
Yes" he interrupted, you thought
because ] had never thrown open my |
wOrkirg-room to the general rabble of
students thai there was some mystery
alb )1G it something | wished to con-
ceal. All, no. iou are different; you
have truly scientific mind. To the
ordinary intellect what | am doing
would seem but nonsense. Incapable
of comprehending me, they would see
in my experiments but the vagaries of
a lunatic. But once have shown you
the plan, the reason, the theory upon
which | work, you will see the logical
basis for each wheel and each cog in
the whole apparatus"
II 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.
. You cannot help it. You are from
the United States. You Judge all
things without prejudice and upon
heir merits. 1t is the result of your
nothing more. Will you
;ome?n
Most willingly l answered.
= When shall my visit be made ?''
To-day" he said promptly.
" But it is your lecture dav.n I said.
ooking at my watch; and. in fact.
Tou will have no more time than il
necessary even if you should 90 now
o tho lecture room"
Bah !" he answered, with curl OF
he lip. What care | for the gaping
aces of those boobies now? 1t is true
have spent two years in peltinS thcir I
lough-faces with the crumbs of science
which not one of them can receive. !
'ut now all that is past. My apparatus ,
at last ready. To-day it will be put I
n operation.
Will it not be better, then, for me
D postpone my visit for another time ?''
asked, not wishing to inconvenience {
he experimenter.
You do not understand" said Herr
'chwartz. turning to me with smile. 5
L do not ask you TO- come into the c
lace so long sacred to my deepest 7
musings, my most important researches e