The Forrest City times., 1891-01-16
\ SINGULAR CASE.
"WcIl. what is ii?'

friend. Van Leonard, who after some minutes of deep thought. drew a hong breath with some appearances of relief.
 'I was thinking of Il singular ease"
 'Tha, occurred in your practice, l suppose?" quericd.
 Not exactly. and vet in reply l co,,!. say yes! You asking me about ThiiiNault. the mesmerist reminded me of it. l, was n singular case.'
 If mesncrism. or odylIic force is in any Way concerned in the ease let nie hear it by all means" l replied.
 We were sitirg in Van Leouard's s office, and had called ou purpose to consult him in regard to one Thim- bault who was creating q sensation . in social circles by his manifestations ! of magnetic force or hypnotic power.
 What was the csse?' inquired.
 My friend indulced in q reverie for some moments. as he in all absent man. i ner putled away at his fragrant NHavana. Then he gently dipped the h-hes from the end of his cigar and continucd:
 The sad death not long since of a popular official in a. ueighboripg city, after a defalcation which no one had suspected or even deemed in the slight est degree probable. brought this case to my mind It occurred some years ago in the town of Blank. where then resided"
 "Tell me all about it" said l. set tling myself into listening attitude.
 ''4Ss l said. Blank was my residence then. lpracticed my profession, but was not kept so busy by i, then as l am now. and from frequent conversa- tlons with an instructor in our city academy became deeply interested in phrenology and biology. Prof. Frank lin was the mans name. Ha had great force of character. in fact tremendous will-power. and his control of students was perfect; even the most refractory yielded to him. Besides being u man of quite extensive learning he possessed keen penetration. and l sometimes imagined that he could read my very thoughts. He would de- scant in most interesting manner about life-force. call it what you may, odyllic or magnetic force by which strong natures controlled the will and [ even the physical powers of others | HHf Aitti " ot Ii4 It- fractory pupils. he would say. and Z they would afterward declare that l had bewitched them. It would be well. he sometimes added. for you ' doctors to study the science of biology moro. It might aid you in controlling tho diseases of your patients by en- abling you 10 control the patients
 My mother was alive ut that time. and cultivated a farm in the neighbor- hood of Blank, in which myself was interested as a legatee. Customarily paid her city aud county taxes as well as my own, and thus became quite in- timate with Judge Alden. the city and county treasurer. Alden was most amiahle and genial man. member of tho Methodist church. and of unim- peachable probity and veracity. 1 liked to converse with him. for he had been great reader. and the very full nesA geniality, and aristocratic appear ance Of his countenance eyinced his mental culture, and his acquaintance with all that is good. ennobling. and elcvating in literature. Have you ever noticed that such was the elevAting effects of the good and beautiful in literaturep"
 No"
 Well, observe your acquaintances more closely. aud whenever you per- ceive . refined countenancc. betokeu- ing intelligence and wide information. you may be sure the owner Is pure minded man. versed in elegant litera- ture.
 Alden. who had once been judge of our Superior court. was such man. and 70 great was his probity that year After year hcwas elected city treasurer. But in tho course of time . change oc- curred in his appearance. Signs of care and concern began to appear on i, his face. At times an air of distrait took possession of him. and at last wrinkles and gray hairs became plain y visible. A close observer could dis eern a slight absence of that easy and genial conversational power which had made his company pleasure. The smile wns still on his countenance. but , 1t appeared strained.
 "'have you noticed the change which has come over Judge Aldcne' asked Prof. Franklin of me one day
 "Oh, suppose itis the usual change snperinduced by ago and business cares, l replied.
 Don't be too sure. There is always . Adeep-seated cause for such radical changes
 The subject passed from my mind until few weeks afterward. when the public was astounded by the announce mont that Alden was defauter to the amount of at least $25. 600; aud experts proved II by examination of his books"
 That accounts then l calculated. for those lines of care and concern. A troubled conscience. you know. What did he say for himselfp"
 He did not seem to know what to cay. He admitted receiving the money. as the figures in his books declared. But what had become of it, he did not remember. He disclaimed all inten- tional dedication, aad thosa who knew him best believed him"
 Had he not been speculatihg in letookse F" I asked.
 A There was no evidence of such . eAing.n
 Had he not bought property in his wife's namee" l inquired again.
 Neae e all It was admitted that he AAA .AsAa f9rb1aEiag wilA aany