Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-10-15
CREMATED.

though 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
in common, but none was stronger than
our desire to dip into the mysteries of
the supernatural. We passed out of the
university on the same day with our de-
grees 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
all 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 meter in the profession of journal
ism. But my visits to England have
been frequent, and upon the occasion OF
one of these flying trips about six years
dh3O L as ditl A4ICb 4lJ OlO lI1Clds
was sitting in my room in the Grand
hotel at Charing Cross making prepara-
tions for my return to New York in five
days time when bellboy handed me
the card of Isidore del Seilano. l pass
over our mutual pleasant greetings
Isidore told me he had been in London
for some four months, having deter
mined upon trying his luck as prac-
titioner 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 a crematorium on the most ap-
proved principles
He hoped would come and see this
new machine. He had it at his house in
Harley street. Why should I not come
to spend the evening with hirna 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 an
excellent dinner. Having lit our ciga-
rettes, at my hosts request l followed
him into his study, there to enjoy our
smoke by ourselves and to talk over his
great invention. Once comfortably
seated in our 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 a long story that he told me OF
his arriving at the conviction that Gre
nation was the proper mode of dispos
ing Of the dead. 81 have experimental
upon living and dead animals Of every
kind" he said suddenly, "but never upon
a human being. And before can be
certain that my machine is perfect in
every detail | 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), mean to have 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 will do me this favor, will
you notg"
How shall describe the sensation OF
horror which crept over me as I heard
these words spoken with stony coldness,
yet with an affectation of friendship
which positively shocked me. was
about to rise from my seat, indignant,
when, with peculiar glitter in his eye
and q forward movement of his body
and outstretched hand, he exclaimed:
''Sit where you arel You must do az
sayl You are the subject for my first
and greatest experiment."
sank back in my chair with sigh Of
helplessness and relinquished 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
few steps to short corridor, along
passage and into small room about 70
feet wide by 1S feet long.
The room was dark when we entered,
but as Isidore touched little wooden
knob it was flooded with brilliant light
from several incandescent electric lamps
Along one side of the room stood sort
of trestle bed, upon which was plank
on rollers. In front of the foot of this
bed was large box, apparently made of
iron, but japanned to represent oak. In
another corner Of tho room stood num-
Der of cells Of a large electric battery,
and network of wires were conducted
from these to the under side Of the box.
Here is my apparatus" said Del Sell
ano. SIS it not simple? The body is
placed upon this trestle; by touching q
spring the doors at the end Of this pretty
box open, and simultaneously the plank
begins rapidly to move forward until it
is well inside. Then the doors close
automatically upon the body. Next 1
touch this tiny knob. and in few sec
onds all is over. The doors at the other
end of the box open, the piank-which
is of pure platinum worked with asbes-
tos-comes out, and upon it are lying in
little heap the ashes Of the cremated
being. Simple, isn't it2 And beautiful
ly constructed. There cannot be fail
ure. Now, you must take your place
upon the plank
Without word, for could no longer
resist, lay fiat on my back on the plank.
with my feet to the doors Of the crema-
torium.
Capital, capitalw said my tormentor.
why, one would almost say you had
been cremated beforei Now lie perfectly
still, and observe. for want you to tell
me everything about 1t when you come
ont on the other side"
The next moment be had touched the