Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-07-21

the globe TO account Tor the motion.
After u short time the man squatted I
down upon his mat and his strange |
eyes gazed at each one in the circle /
surrounding him for a moment. As
he looked straight into my eyes felt
"A most unusual chill and shudder pass
through nv veins. was not a nervous
woman, and this heart-chill was new
experience TO me. His gaze passed
slowly around our little circle. linger-
ing for moment as IT met some eyes,
and passing rapidly over others. |
thought he paused longer as he gazed
into my face than he did at any other,
but that may have been imagination.
When he had completed the circle he
raised the crystal globe and held it
poised upon one hand and spoke some
words to his young companion in the
strange musical tongue III which he
had carried ON all his conversation
since coming on board. She turned
from him and repeated to us his
words: "Tell the strangers to each
think of the dearest one in his own
far-otf land and to look deep into the
magic crystal if he would learn what
that loved one is doing at this in
slant"
We each fixed our attention upon
the globe, and | wondered what my
sister would think if she could see me
sitting here before this strange Indian
looking into the depths of Il glass of
water III water the globe contaiued),
and wishing that | could really see her
for but one moment. As these thoughts
passed through my mind l gazed
steadily ut the globe and saw the con
tents glitter and ripple as if moved by
some wind which we felt not. Slowly
across the surface passed a dim cloud,
which grew rapidly more and more
Opaque.
Then suddenly | saw II corner of the
old familiar dooryard III my far-otf
home. The big maple tree grew into
form before my eyes; its leaves tiut-
tered and swnyed in an unfelt breeze.
The green grass beneath its branches
waved and tossed rs if it felt the fresh
air of morning passing across Its YER
dnnt face. A slender form came swiftly
out of the dim haze which filled i'll the
background to the picture. 1t was my
sister, and look of wonder shOne in
her hazel eyes ms she seemed looking
straight across the thousand miles of
water which divided us | started up
and the picture faded away. | saw
nothing but the Hindoo squatting be-
fore me, holding the crystal globe
alott and watching the faces before
him with II keen intentness.
lie sat silent for moment, then
rose to his feet and began his perform
ance by giving us some Of the less i'm
portant tricks of the juggler, all the
time his eyes rowing from face to face
rs if he would read each heart to its
depths, and for one felt sure that he
could so read mine, for could feel his
gaze sink deep into my brain. was
half afraid of him, but wholly de-
tcrmined to do nothing to break up the
sitting.
After some minor tricks of sleight of
hand and Of the commoner class OF
legerlemain, he spoke to the girl in II
harsh, quick tone. She brought out
from under her voluminous robe a
small, fiat silver salver, which | noticed
was entirely covered by an intricate
pattern of engraving. This the man
put carefully down upon the exact
centre of his mat, and taking from his
bosom small silk bag, he scattered
the contents, white powder, upon
the salyer He addressed the girl in
earnest tones, and then took his seat
again upon his mat, with his head
bowed upon his breast and his hands
gripped closely together AS if he WAS
making some desperate effort or was
bearing some terrible agony. The
girl lighted small taper which had
been among the articles they had
brought with them and put it down
beside her master. Then she slso
stood with bowed head and clasped
her hands for II moment AZ if waiting
some signal from her master. She
waited but for moment, for with II
shudder he raised his head and spoke
to her in quick, shrill voice.
She in turn repeated to us hisrequest
that we should promise that, no mat
ter what happened, we would none OF
us move from our place. II we should
move no one could tell what terrible
accident might happen. OF course We
all promised, more or less readily, anG
the man, to make sure of our obed
fence, beckoned us to sit closer to
gether in ring almost touching tn,
mat upon which he sat. We did So
laughing and crowding together, and
when we had taken the required posi-
ton he spoke to the girl, who imme
diately caught up the signal line ND
proceeded to arrange 1t III ring sur
rounding our little group as we sa'
around our entertainer.
As soon as she had completed hel
task She took her station within tn,
ring, and, dropping her outer robe
stood in closer fitting undergar
ment, which left her slender limbs I'M
covered from knee 10 ankle, from WIS
to shoulder.
When she had taken her place the
man arose, and, muttering some in
cantation in a musical undertone, h,
walked around outside the ring formed
by the rope and scattered the ashe
over the line, covering it from sight
He then took his place again within
the circle, and after the girl had agar
impressed upon us that under no cir
cumstances were we to move, the MAJ
took the tape i'll his hand, and, hold
ing it high above his head, seemed t.
be invoking some power which he be
held in the air above our heads. II,
then stopped and touched the flame o
thn innnr To tho nnl of ihn rnnn IL h nl