Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-24
CREMATED.

markable experience l know tnat am
laying myself open to the accusations of
the incredulous and the skeptical, still,
on account of its unique character and
because / myself remain a skeptic, !
shall relate the adventure exactly as 1t
occurred to me.
When / was studying medicine in the
Scottish university of Aberdeen formed
the 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,
and our acquaintanceship soon developed
into friendship of the firmest and most
intimate description. / may say that
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
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 My
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 l 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
ago again met my old friend.
Twas sitting in my room in the Grand
hotel at Charing Cross making prepare
tons 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 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 not come
to spend the evening with himr 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 I 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 long story that he told me of
his arriving q. 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
human being. And before / can be
certain that my machine is perfect in
every detail must do this. Moreover
land 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 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 eye
and forward movement Of his body
and outstretched hand, he exclaimed:
"Sit where you are! You must do as
say! 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 babe me follow
him. With an uneasy sense Of PRESENT.
ment l rose unsteadily to my feet and
we passed together from the room. UP
a few steps to short corridor, along
passage and into small room about IL
feet wide by IS 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 the room stood num-
Der Of cells of large electric battery,
and a network of wires were conducted
from these to the under side of the box.
"Here is my apparatus" said Del Sell