Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-07-25
HYPNoTIzED BY A THIEF.

Don't be too sure, Lenord, said her
husband, "you cannot afford 70 run a
tilt against science"
"But l deny that 1t is science. What
has ever been proved by hypnotismt
1t is foolish to argue about ii, for
win not even admit that there is such
thing. The shrewd people who 30
about the country giving exhibitions
of their power are always in collision
with some one in the audience-you
know that yourself, Ned"
Nothing Of the kind" retorted Ned,
as Mrs Darl called her husband. ut
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 wonderful wonderful.'
What did you see?'
II saw a young man climb walls like
cat, drink milk out Of a saucer, catch
a mouse, and then wash his face and
hands as cat does. And when he
came out of the trance he had no idea
that he had done any Of these things,
or that he had even lost conscious
ness"
Hum" said Mrs. Darl, incredu-
lousy. Il don't believe word of j.
If he did all that you said he did, he
was simply Il conspiiator And what
good can such a faculty bring TO
science, l should like to know? Where
is the scientific value, in acting like a
cat or a monkey
why. don't you see, dear, it is the
verification of a theory"
NO, | do not see. And | am not
sure that | would believe 1T if I did
see it. The whole stock iii trade of
these hypnotizers is the power of pro
ducing an Illusion. defy any of them
to hypnotic me-"
Il had intended to ask YOU to go
with me to the exhibition tonight
And be transformed into a cat?
No, indeed If l make a sacrifice of
myself 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 hypnotizer, or as a means Of Great
ing a sensation. There is no one living
who could by few ridiculous passes.
stare, or pressure of my thumbs,
make me do anything l did not choose
to do"
But you acknowledge, do you not,
that strong will can control a weak
| one?"
Eyes, and always could; but that is
as old as the days of Adam who was
evidently in subsection to Eve. sup
pose some one will say that deep sleep
which overlook our first father when
his rib was taken from him was hyp-
motto. 1T would be just about as SEN
sible.
Il have an idea said Mr.. Da1l, sud
denly. Suppose, since Mahomet
won't go to the mountain. that the
! mountain comes to Mahomet. The
hypnotist can come here after the en-
teltainment and we will invite few
neighbors in and he can give an eX-
hibition of his powers. How does that
idea strike you?'
"Faborably, Ned. There are the
Rusts. and the Pebbles, and Dr.
Smithiy and his wife, and Cousin
Fanny and her husband. You can let
them know, and | will order refresh
ments and we will have an evening IF
~. 4 xt.i1 1ata i1iif ~
can find other amusement until your
hypnotic operator comes"
Mrs. Darl had everything arranged
her house in beautiful order and her.
self gorgeous in a 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
| hypnotic influence.
The neighbors and relatives came, q
merry company, and the time passed
in an animated discussion upon the
power of hypnotism-one friend going
SO far in research as to visit the u
brary and look up that wonderful
story, the House of Seven Gables >
| and read aloud to attentive listeners
a passage from the weird history Of
Alice Pyncheon.
He spoke and Alice responded with
q soft, subdued inward acquiescence,
and bending of lier form toward
him. like the fame Of torch when II
indicates a gentle draught Of air. He
beckoned with his hand and rising
from her chair-blindly, but inevitable
center-the proud Alice approached
him. He waved her back, and re
treating, Alice sunk again into her
seat
"She is mine" said Matthew Maule
mine by the right OF the strongest
spirit"
| "Oh, that was masmeriSm" said
Mrs. Darl, as the reading ceased
and what is mesmerismF asked
one of the company. Il think that 1t il
as unexplainable as hypnotism, if II Is
not the same thing. Oh. here they
are now! Let US hold on to our chairs,
or we may be spirited away to China
l. for one, am afraid"