The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-08-13
A HYPNOTIC CRIME.

1t happened in this way. We of the
Capital Comedy company, having one
summer months vacation, decided to
fill 1t in with a stock season, worked
on the joint stock system at Bleaching.
ton. We extended the commonwealth
principle from the stage to the home
and took a furnished house, wherein we
all resided with more comfort and at
less expense than is possible in seaside
lodgings. We fellows had smoking
billiard room for our amusement, the
girls had boudoir fo- their gossip, and
the married ladies kindly looked after
the consumable properties and the pro-
prieties. And very good company we
voted ourselves.
My sister We're and her husband, Ed
mond Hatherleigh, were in the "crowd," :"
and their special favorite was a young
Spanish girl, who had taken to the
boards-the Senorita Alcida Velasquez.
She was my especial favorite, too, but
l mustn't anticipate.
Being seriously in love with the fair
Spaniard-who was dark, by the bye
my jealous eyes noted all things affect
ing her in any way, and it seemed to
me that my brother-inlaw admired her
just little too much. He was most po-
lite and attentive to his wife, but every
now and again caught him looking at
Alcida with more admiration in his i'm
pressive eyes than was good for him or
for the object of it either.
One evening after the performance at
tho theater, tho ladies having retired for
the night, we gentlemen adjourned to
the smoking room for weeds and whis-
ky. There tho desulto1y talk somehow
veered round to hypnotism and such
phenomena, whereon most of us, being
ignorant of the subject, expatiated with
force and volubility.
Hatherleigh, however, who had been
n medico before he became q hummer,
spoke about it rs one having authority,
and we were all astonished though l
was by no means convinced by the ar
guments he advanced and the evidence
he adduced in support Of the theory of
hypnotic suggestion, especially in its re-
lation to crime.
"But do you mean to say" said in
credulously, THAT if you suggest crime
to a hypnotized subject he will commit
it2' ........ .......
Certainly" Hatherleigh replied.
"When in practice, hypnotized several
patients and by suggestion relieved many
of them of diseases which had hitherto
been considered inourable. "
80 you have frequently said," re-
turned, "but for my part doubt If there
is any such thing as hypnotism at all.
You may possibly obtain influence over
weal1ninded persons and by working
on their credulous imaginations effect
cures Of nervous disorders, but-well. /
should like to see the man who could
hypnotize mep'
"Would your Hatherleigh inquired.
with smile that was half sneer.
what do you say to allowing me to
make the experiment."
"oh, I'm game, if yon're willingi'
Il retorted rather warmly.
"Very well, said my relative eoolly.
when shall we begin?''
Now" answered boldly.
Thanks" said Hatherleigh. with
another sarcastio smile. "Now, gem
tlemen turning to the others-"may
ask you to leave us alone for few
minutesg"
For answer the fellows went solemn
ly out OF the room, adjnring me to bear
mp and promising me really hand
some funeral should the experiment
prove fatal. As for me. now felt
pretty much as man feels when he's
going to have tooth out Now, Sir
Doubtful" said my brother -in-law,
lust throw away your cigar and look
me full in the face. "
did so. Looking up into the mans
face, began to realize that it was Sc
rious matter for him, and that it might
be serious for me also. For moment
felt inclined to withdraw, for Hather-
leigh looked as though he really did
possess the power he claimed. but OBJ
stinacy and pride oyercame fear, and
said carelessly, go on with your hyp.
nothing.
| II have already commenced, he re-
piled, fixing his eyes on mine
/ had expected him to mako passes
with his hands and perform all that sort
of munmery, but he sat quite still,
looking mo quietly in the face. For Q
| time fearlessly returned his gaze, bui
suddenly all my surroundings seemed tc
fade away, and l saw nothing but Q