Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-07-31
A HYPNOTIC CRIME.

AAA ~ AAA mAth cNONA St1Arbut WOTktu on the joint stock system at Reaching ton We extended the commonwealth principle from the stage to the home and took furnished house, wherein we all resided with more comfort and at less expense than is possible in seaside lodgings. We fellows had Q smoking billiard room for our amusement, the girls had boudoir for 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 tho 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 tho 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-in-law admired her just a little too much. Ho 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 pressiye eyes than was good for him or for the object of it either.
 One evening after the performance at the theater, the ladies having retired for the night, we gentlemen adjourned to the smoking room for weeds and whis- ky. There the desultOry talk somehow veered round to hypnotism and such phenomena, whereon most of us, being funnrnnf nf fha StflNin~f snf force and volubility.
 Hatherleigh. however, who had been a medico before he became a hummer. spoke about it as one having authority, and we were all astonishcd, though I 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 it?''
 Certainly" Hathcrleigh replied. "When in practice. hypnotized several patients and by suggestion relieved many of them of diseases which had hitherto been considered incurable.
 ''So 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 weakminded persons and by working on their credulous imaginations effect cures of nervous disorders, but-well. I should like to sec the man who could | hypnotizc mcr'
 Would you:" Hathcrlcigh inquired. with n smile that was half sncCr. What do you say to allowing me tu make the experiment:'
 ''Oh, I'm game, if you're willing!' I retOrtcd rather warmly.
 "Vcry we'll. " said my relative coolly. "When shall we begin:'
 ''Now." answered boldly.
 Thanks" said Hathcrlcigh, with another sarcastic smile "Now, gen tlemen''-turning to tho others-''may I ask you to leave us alone for few minutcs:''
 For answer the fellows went solemn ly out of the room, adjuring mo to bear up and promising me really hand some funeral should tho experiment 1 prove fatal. As for mr. l now felt | pretty much as man feels when he's going to have n tooth out. Now, Sir Doubtful" said my brother in law, "just throw away your cigar and look me full in the face"
 did so. Looking up into the na;. face, began to realize that it was se rious matter for him, and that it might be serious for mo also. For n moment felt inclined to withdraw. for Hathcr leigh looked as though hc really did possess the power he claimed. but Ob stinucy and pride overcame fear, and said carelessly, Go on with your hyp notizing."
 '1 have already commenced, " he re piled, fixing his eyes on mine.
 l had expected him to make passe: with his hands and perform all that sort of mummery, but he sat quite still looking mo qu,ctly in tho face For : time fcarlcssly returned his gaze, but suddenly all my surroundings seemed tc fade away, and I saw nothing but [ pair of fiery eyes which seemed to burr into my soul. I tried to shut my OWL eyes to the sight. but in vain. Those terrible eyes grew larger and larger until they seemed to fill tho limits oi space, and then I awokc to find Hathcr leigh regarding me with an anxiou. but satisfied look. The other fellow: had returned, and they began asking me all sorts of questions. But l haC nothing to tell. I had no unpleasant feeling. seemed to have been doZing- that was all. The clock, too. showed that tho experiment had lasted but few rlinutte'. Well" asked Hathcr leigh, 'hnw have y"u succccdcd:' Beyond my mt SIn"uinc CXpvCta tions, " he replied, with deep meaning : in his tone. ''lI.> .in v,'u fcvi:''
 ''Oh, prairy we'll. I answered. q don't want to hurt yvUr feelings, El mond, but I don't fcvl hypnotiScd : bitr
 "No? We'll. we shall sec" ho sais quietly. shrugging his shoulders. H. looked fatigued, and staggered as h crossed the room.
 ''Aren't you well?'' asked
 "Quite well, thanks" he replied "but these experiments weaken me fo c time-it is nothing. Good night" So saying, he sank into chair, an we left him to finish his cigar by tn fireside while we wendcd our ways [ bed, all wondering how he would con vince mo that I was hypnotized
 l intended to turn in at once; but, { my dismay. I could not do SO I trie to undress, but I was by some strang force impelled to open my trunk an take from 1t n curious old hunting knif I once frequently used as a 'property. never use it now. Iexorted all tn will power possessed and endcavore to replace the weapon, for sense c impending danger was upun me, bu my will seemed paralyzed, and care fully drew the knife from its sheath fouli,,r. it. l-...