The record-union., 1894-03-17

emonstrates the truth of all have said.
Let us go to the laboratory"
With these words. the doctor took my
arm and led me toward the door of his
workshop.
must confess that it was with a feel
ing of some trepidation that / crossed
the threshold of this room, which no one
save its owner had entered for so many
years. On a first survey / thought the
place differed from the ordinary labora-
tory of the chemist in being more disor-
/ derly. Books, half-filled bottles, tubes,
retorts and many other objects, the names
and uses of which did not know, were
/ scattered about in confusion.
On stand in q window recess, looking
strangely out of place amid their prosaic
surroundings, were two hower-potS, one
of which contained camellia in full
! bloom, and the other a rosebush, the
leaves of which were dropping and life
less, and the blossoms faded and ready
/ to fall.
The doctor Immediately directed my
attention to a strange-looking apparatus,
| the like of w hich had never before seen,
resting upon a small table in corner of
the room. A CLAN ce sufficed to show
that this machine was Of extremely deli
cate and complicated str ucture. In its
center was large wheel IN ade wholly of
/
nected with it by means of cogs were a
number of smaller wheels. also of glass,
| but differing from the first in respect TO
color. | observed that the seven colors OF
the solar spectrum were represented In
them. Numerous fine silver wires were
connected with the wheels, and these
were SO delicate and so closely knit to-
gether that they presented the appear
ance of a spiders web.
Il will say nothing of tue long years OF
toll | have spent IN perfectlng this ap-
paratus,' said the doctor. Enough that
you see before you the instrument where
by the vital force is manipulated. You
will see it operate, and afterward | will
give you detailed explanation OF its
philosophy"
My eyes roamed about the room. "You
spoke OF a reservoir for your force" l
said. 'Do you keep it stored here?"
The doctor smiled. "The whole liv-
ing world is my reservoir" he siad.
Every plant, every animal is a we'll
spring of vitality" With that he un-
coiled two long silver wires which
meDt, and the free ends of these he
took to the stand on which were the
plants of which L have spoken. One of
the wires he fastened to the stem of the
living camellia and the other to that of
the dead rose.
This plant" said the doctor, pointing
to the camellia. lis, as you see, full of
vitality; the other is practically destitute
of 1t. You will now observe what effect
is produced by transferring the force
from one plant to the other"
With these words he touched key in
the instrument and Immediately the
large glass wheel began rapidly to re-
volve, the smaller ones starting into mo-
ton at the same instant. Their move
ont innrnaGnn in itxy II
were indistinguishable individually, and
only steady play Of rainbow colors
could be seen, through which the delicate
wires cleaned with a silver light. l was
so absorbed in contemplating the machine
that / did not notice the plants until the
doctor touched me and directed my at
tention to them. Here marvellous
change was in progress. The camellia,
which a moment before had presented a
beautiful appearance, with it's full, white
blossoms and brilliant leaves, was begin
ming to droop. Already the flowers were
turning brown and the leaves hung limp
and lusterless.
In the rose, too, a change was taking
place. but of different kind. The plant,
which when | last looked at it had the
appearance of being ready to perish, had
revived. Every leaf stood out crisp and
green; the blossoms were taking on their
pristine crimson loneliness, and as
looked their faint. delicious fragrance
reached me.
l gazed on the scene in silent wonder
At length the doctor turned to me.
Are you convinced ?" he asked.
"Who could witness this marvel and
not be?" replied.
My friend placed his finger on the key
of the instrument and at once it became
motionless.
''Sit down here" he said, ~ have more
to say to YOU"
AS the doctor took a seat opposite me
observed that he had become much agi-
tated. His face was pale to the lips; his
nostrils were dilated and quivering and
his long black hair hung in disorder.
"What shall be his reward who is the
worlds benetactor to the extent that it is
in my power to be ?" he abruptly asked.
Untold wealth and undying fame," l
replied.
Although l have known you so short
time. l have learned to feel strong affec-
ton for you, an affection such as l never
had for any other human being. You are
the first to whom have revealed my Sc
cret. l would have you share the glory
of the discovery with me-"
mo, no." l replied, while fully ap-
preciate your kindness and affection, 1
would not detract one iota from that fame
which should be yours alone"
Let me explain" he continued. ut
will be necessary in demonstrating my
discovery to have the assistance of a
| friend, of someone in whom I have all
faith, and who has perfect confidence in
me-"
LAS to that, will do all in my power
to help you,n I said.
II have wondered in what way to make
known the secret" said he. 81 have de-
cided to call together a number of the
prominent men of the city and lay 1t be-
fore them. Naturally l wish to have the
experiments which l make of the most
striking character, so that there can be no
suspicion of trickery or coDjuring to
which many will be too ready to ascribe
all that may be DONE"
'sTrue," / argued, ''the experiment of
the flowers might be looked upon in that
light"
II have decided to perform an expert
ment which cannot fail to convince the
most skeptical. hesitate to tell you of
it, so strange, so wonderful it will seem
to you."
''Pray continue" I said.
Prepare yourself tor another revela-
ton then" replied the doctor. .Tt is
nothing less than to reyitalize dead
human body"
''Surely you cannot do that?" 1 ex-
claimed, shocked at his audacity.
.'If you accept my theory you will
readily see that it is not impossible. Of
course, you will understand that the or
gans of the body must be in a normal
condition, and there must be no trace of
decomposition"
.'Still, the thing looks impossible" 1
insisted.
II have arranged the detals,u said the
doctor. "You observe that this instru-
ment not only conducted the vital force
into one of these plants, but it also drew
it away from the other. In the same way
the vitality of any other living thing can