Connecticut western news., 1895-08-15
HYPNOTIZED.

HYPNOTIZED.
 "There isn't anybody living who can hypnotize me. "
 Don't be too sure, Leonora," said her husband "You cannot afford to run tilt against science.
 "But deny that it is science. What has ever been proved by hypnotism? It is foolish to argue about it, for l will not even admit that there is such 8 thing. The shrewd people who go about the cauntry giving exhibitions of their power are always in collusion with some one in the audience-you know that yourself, Ned.
 Nothing of the kind, y retorted Ned, as Mrs. Darl called her husband "It is a science that is yet in its infancy, and there are only a few individuals who have the hypnotic power and are able to throw less positive subjects into trance. But have seen it done, and it is won derful-wonderful
 "What did you seer"
 II saw young man climb walls like cat, drink milk ont of saucer, catch 0 mouse, and then wash his face and hands as cat does. And when he came out os the trance he had no idea that he had done any of these things or that he had even lost consciousness. 1"
 "HumP' said Mrs. Darl incredulous- ly, 1T don't believe word of it. If he did all that you said he did, he was sim ply conspirator. And what good can such faculty bring to science, should like to know? Where is the scientific value in acting like cat or monkey?"
 "Why, don't you see, dear, it is the verifcation of a theory?'
 "No, do not see. And am not sure that would believe it if I did see it. The whole stock in trade of these hyp- notizers is the power of producing an il- fusion. T defy any of them to hypnotize me-
 1T had intended asking you to go with me to the exhibition tonight. :"
 "And be transmogrifed into cat? No, indeed If make sacrifice of my self in the cause of science, it must be for something worth while. You have yet to convince me, Ned, that what you call the hypnotic sleep is not assumed to help carry out the plan of the hypno- tiger or as means of creating 8 sensa- tion. There is no one living who could by few ridiculous passes, stare or pressure of my thumbs make me do any thing 1 did not choose to do. ,"
 But you acknowledge, do you not, that strong will can control weak onef''
 "Yes, and always could, but that is as old as the days of Adam, who was evi- dently in subjection to Eve suppose some ono will say that deep sleep which overlook our first father when his rib was taken from him was hypnotic. It would be just about as sensible. T have an idea," said Mir. Darl sud denly. Suppose, since Mohamlned won't go to the mountain, that the mountain comes to Mohammed. The hypnotist can come here after the enter. tainment, and we will invite few neighbors in, and he can give an exhibi tion of his powers. How does that idea strike you?"
 ''Favorably, Ned. There are the | Rusts. and the Pebbles and Dr. Smithly and his wife, and Cousin Fanny and hel husband. You can let them know, and will order refreshments, and we will have an evening of hypnotism. It will begin late, but we can find other amuse ment until your hypnotic operator comes.
 | Mrs. Darl had everything arranged her house in beautiful order and herself l gorgeous in dress of ruby velvet | which was far too fine for the occasion but was worn as piece de resistance she having read that velvet resisted hyp notic influence.
 The neighbors and relatives came, merry company, and the time passed il an animated discussion upon the powe of hypnotism, one friend going so far il research as to visit the library and lool up that wonderful story, the "House o Seven Gables, y and read aloud to at tentive listeners passage from tn weird history of Alice Pyncheon.
 He spoke, and Alice responded wit soft, subdued inward acquiescence am bending of her form toward him, ik the flame of torch when it indicates gentle draft of air. He beckoned wit his hand, and rising from her chair tn proud Alice approached him. He wave her back, and retreating Alice sunk agai into her seat.
 "'She is mine, said Matthew Maule Mine by the right of the strongest spil it.
 "'Oh, that was mesmerism,' sai Mrs. Darl as the reading ceased. And what is mesmerism?' aske one of the company. 1T think that it as unexplainable as hypnotism, if it not the same thing. Oh, here they a1 now! Let us hold on to our chairs, ( we may be spirited away to China. for one, am afraid.
 II am not, :" said the queenly hostes as she swept forward in velvet and dis monds to meet her husband and h guest.
 A pale, composed looking man accon panied Mir. Darl, and he did not seel surprised by the elegance of his hostes or flushed by the critical gaze of tl company.
 After the introductions were made an conversation became general, Mrs Da | slipped into the hall and beckoned t her husband, who immediately joine 7 her. Then she whispered in his ear: "H-if-by any possibility he shou
 be able to hypnotize me, you will not
 him make me do anything ridiculousi ], My dear Leona, how can you il
 agine such possibility? But if you ha'
 any fear'-
 "Fearl'' echoed his wife scornful D in stage whisper. ''You will see tn
 he cannot make the slightest impressi'
 on me- And she went back to the pa Tor and found one of her guests climbil