The morning call., 1892-03-10
THE LOADSTONE.

had many faults; he was very tall and
powerful, and delighted in contrasting the
English physique with that of inferior
races, by which be meant, among others,
the Raiah's race. His manner was abrupt
and overbesring, his laugh loud aud I'M
musical In fact, he grated horribly on the
Rajah and it was merely the final straw,
when in the eXhlaTati0n of bump supper
full, as the Rajah remarked in disgust, OF
cow and strong drink-he called that gentle
man in playful chef. a "ngger." The
Rajah swore melodiouSly In HiRdoostanee,
and | saw that he meant to be revenged.
In those days the entertainment Of the
Nebraska Loadstone created a Juror.
Every body went to see her and everybody
came away convinced that she possessed
marvellous powers. Her peculiar gitt--but
everybody remembers the details OF the per-
formance and how the tricks were finally.
one by one, exposed, so that her adherents
ard believers were driven from one position
to another, until at last they had To fall
hack on one single performance out OF ali
those that the Loadst0ne gave and MAINTAIN
that ON that OCCASION at least, something
unexplained and ineXpicabls did really
happen. 1t is with the events of that par
teular evening that l am concerned.
think can throw some light on them.
at first however, there were many be-
levers and few skepticS. The Dean care
fully pointed ont that Plato nowhere de-
bursar, who was generally supposed to be
little better than an atheist, declared that
Spencer, in one passage, implicitly asserted
it; even the warden, in bissermon, told US
that it was better, according TO Bacon, 10
believe TWO errors than refuse one truth
which was, 10 say the least OF il. sitting on
the fence. But none Of these authorities
shook the robust skepticism of the captain
Of the boat club He knew a conlurer, and
the cOnjurer had told him how 1t was done,
and J. r-f,ft 70 M
'But why haven't yOu?" L urged Shes
been here week.
HE will not be too hard on her at first"
said the Raiah, with little sneer
'PIl bust her up this very night" said
WatercT. 81 would have done 1t before, only
was gated"
The excuse was good, and Wa:erer de-
parted. full Of boaslugs and self-eoDtidence,
to gather together large number OF the
noisy men 10 make a pleasant party to
guy" the unhappy LoadStone. l stayed to
smoke pipe with the Rajah.
'0f course she's a fraud" said he; land
l believe that animal really has got hold Uf
the right explanation.
Il shall 20 and see it" announced.
After moments silent smoking the Rajah
locked up with twinkle in his eye. 80
shall If niggers are admitted"
After hall, he and l set out together for
the town hail. We found the first TWO rows
of stalls occupied by Waterer and his friends.
They were all in evening dress and mad OBJ
yiously dned-not in hall. TIE Rajah and
| seated OveTselyes just behind them. The
room was full and the feats we're most sue
cessiul; each was followed by general ap-
pause. broken only by some gioes from our
friends in front. The latter grew so pro-
nounced that the Loadstone's manager at
last came forward and p pinteGly invited one
OF the scoffers to submit himself to expert
ment.
Now was Waterer's chance He rose in
the majesty Of his bulb walked onto the
platform. and said ia loud voice as he set
tied himself on a chair: IF the lady can
move NE one foot from this chair I'll give
her 425.
The LoaGstone advanced and began TO
paw him about in her usual fashion.
Waterer. @ho was sober enough to have lost
nothing but his shyness, was apparently too
many fer her. He was immovable. and
cries of Now, then! when are you going 10
begin" and so on, became audible. Two
or three minutes passed and the Loadstone
turned with gesture Of despair toward her
81 can't"-she began.
Jumped to my feet, crying: Wait
minute! Look!"
Fer even as she spoke there was what Is
scientifically called a solution of continuity
between Waterer and his chair. Still ia
sitting posture, but sitting on nothing he
was at least TWO inches from the wicker
work Of the chair. l glanced from him 10
the Rajah. That extraordinary man was in
his elbow and pinched his ann; be showed
no consciousness whatever. | looked at the
Loadstone. She was standing motionless on
the stage, about yard from Waterer, with
ohe hand outstretched toward him and her
eyes fixed on his ascending fgure-for
Waterer was gradually, slowly, steadily
mounting on his strange journey.
He was nov a foot from his chair still In
sitting position-and up up, up he was
going. The wretch was white as sheet
and gasping with fright and bewilderment
Thunders OF applause burst from the audi
ence. 1t was again and again renewed;
but the L0adstOne did not, as was her Gus
tom, bow and smile in response. She still
stood mOtionless, and Waterer still as
cended
At last. at a height Of fully twenty feet
from the stage, he stopped. simultaneously
the Loadstone gave loud shrek as she fell
the Rajah awoKe.
81 / beg your pardon" he said politely;
was drowsy. ANYTHING going on?"
mo; he's stopped now," l answered, my
eyes eagerly fixed on Naterer.
The Rajah arose from his seat with
yawn. "1here'll be nothing more to-
night" he said; lets go home"
Go home, man!-with that before our
The Rajah shrugged his shoulders. "She
wont do anything MORE" he repeated.
Look at her; she's quite done up"
And, indeed. the LoadstOne looked half
DEAD as she gaZed fearfulty up at Waterer
Her demeanor was not that of a triumphant
do sit down." ! urged; I'VE must see
the end Of it."
With weary sigh the Rajah sat down,
SAVING, L u not sure you will, you know"
W nile we talked the audience grew i'm
patient However wonderful a feat NAV be
the public likes to have things kept moving
They thought Waterer had been in the air
long enough, and there were cries Of
IhafH DO! Let him DOWN. Give US
another"
The manager held busy conference with
the Loadstone. He seemed to urge her. but
she shook her head again and again and
would DO nothing but lie back in chair and
pass her hand to and fro over her head.
The ajah looked at her with a slight smile.
Inc ciamor Increased. / think sort of
panlc-an angry panic-seiZed the audience
Bring him down! Bring him downp
they cried, pointing to the palld Waterer,
VINO sat as rigid as trussed fowl.
After another despairipg appeal To the
Loaostonc, the manager came forward and
MADE lame speech. Tue Loadstone was
exhausted with her unparalleled exertions.
b Sne must must resi- presently she would bring
ana assembled the platform. They walked
ABOUT, they stood On one another's shoul-
ders; they made 1t clear that no cords held
WsteIer a step-ladder was called for and
brought. Placed on a sturdy table il inst
enabled a man to reach Waterer's feet. Ole
mounted amid intense excitement. Turn
ing TO the Rajah l exclaimed "Look %
he was asleep again, and the Loadstone
STOOD stiffiy upright, reckoning toward
Wnterer. Slowly and pra0ual1v he de-
seended, leaving the man grasping at empty
air TILL he sat again on his seat The an.
piause burst out and the Loadstone sank
back In faint Oh the floor The Rajah
sw0ke and the manager dropped the cur
tain, hiding the Loadstone, Waterer and his
friends from our view.
Give me your ARM" said the kajah, 81
Am tired" escorted him to a cab andwe