The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-19
THE LOADSTONE.

the rajah thoroughly and heartily de-
club He had many faults; he was very
tall and powerful, and delighted in con
trasting the English physique with that
of inferior races, by which he meant,
among others, the raJah's race. His
manner was abrupt and overbearing
his laugh loud and unmusical In fact, he
grated horribly on the rajah and it was
merely the final straw, when in the ex-
hilaration OF a bump supper-full, as the
raJah remarked in disgust, of COW and
strong drink he called that gentleman
in playful chaff, 'nigger." The rajah
swore melodiously in Hindoostanee, and
saw that he meant to be revenged.
In those days the entertainment Of the
Nebraska Loadstone created furore
Everybody went to see her, and every
body came away convinced that she pos
sessed marvellous powers. Her peculiar
gift--but everybody remembers the de
tails of the performance. and how the
tricks were finally, one by one, exposed
so that ner adherents and believers were
driven from one position to another
until at last they had to fall back on one
single performance out of all those that
the Loadstone gave, and maintain that
on that occasion ut least, something I'M
explained and inexplicable did really
happen. 1t is with the events of that
particular evening that am concerned
think | can throw some light on them
At first. however. there were many
believers and few skeptics The dean
carefully pointed out that Plato no
where denied the existence of odic force.
and the bursar, who was generally sup
posed to be little better than an atheist
declared that Spencer, in one passage, i'm
pliedly asserted it: even the warden, in
his sermon, told us that it was better,
according to Bacon, to believe two err
rors than refuse one truth-which was,
to say the least of it, sitting on the
fence. But none of these authorities
shook the robust skepticism of the cap
tain of the boat club He knew con-
Jurer, and the conjurer had told him
how it was done, and he was going to
expose the Loadstone.
But why haven't your urged;
she's been here week"
He will not be too hard on her at
first" said the rajah, with a little sheer.
I'm bust her up this very night"
said Waterer, u would have done it
before, only was gated"
The excuse was good, and Waterer
departed, full Of boastings and self con-
. fdence, to gather together large num-
Der of the noisy men, and make a pleas
ant party to "guv" th IL. sl unhappy Load
sUone. ! staid to smoke pipe with the
r%Jan,
aUf course she's fraud" said he,
Land believe that animal really has
got hold of the right explanation"
Il shall go and see it." | announced.
After a moments silent smoking the
rajah looked up with a twinkle in his eye
$50 shall l-if niggers are admitted.
After hall, he and set out together
for the town hall We found the first
two rows of stalls occupied by Waterer
and his friends, They were all in even
ing dress and had obviously dined-not
IN hall The rajah and | seated our
full and the feats were most successful
each was followed by general applause
broken only by some gibes from oul
friends in front. The latter grew sc
pronounced that the Loadstone's mana
ger at last came forward and pointedly
invited one of the scoffers to submit
himself to experiment.
Now was Waterer's chance. He ros,
in the majesty of his bulk, walked ont'
the platform, and said in a loud voice
rs he settled himself on chair: IF tn,
lady can move me one foot from thi
chair I'll give her twenty-five pounds"
The Loadstone advanced and began
TO paw him about in her usual fashion
Waterer, who was sober enough to hav
lost nothing but his shyness, was appar
emily too many for her. He was i'm
movable and cries of Now, then
when are you going to begin?" and 81
on. became audible. Two or three min
utes passed and the Loadstone turne,
with gesture of despair toward he
manager.
Il mt she began.
jumped to my feet. crying; wait
minute! Look"
For even as she spoke, there was wha
is scientifically called solution of con
tinuity between Waterer and his chair
Still in sitting posture, but sitting o.
nothing. he was at least two inches fror
the wickerwcrk of the chair. glance
from him to the rajah. That extraord
nary man was in deep placid, profoun
slumber. logged his elbow and pinche
his arm; he showed no CONSCIOUSNESS
whatever. | looked at the Loadstone
She was standing motionless on the stage
about yard from Waterer, with on
hand outstretched toward him and he
eyes fixed on his ascending tigure-fo
Waterer was gradually, slowly, steadil
mounting in his strange journey.
He was now foot from his chair sti
in sitting position-and up, up, up h
was going. The wretch was white as
sheet and gasping with fright and be
xrildarrpoy,t ThuD6orq af applo nc