The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-11

very gradually turn on the current de-
signed TO heat the helium bar, which is
IN imperfect conductor announced the
Professor.
INSTANTLY sparks began to fly from
the electrodes To the ends of the bar
with cracking detonations; soon thsy
merged in steady arc of electric flame
IA continuous lightning flash. From
this, however, our eyes were presently
shielded by screens, so arranged that
we saw only the space crossed by the
bar of helium.
Slowly the massive crystal began
to show signs of heat. Its native hue
was lost in n dusl<y red, which bright
ened until it was vivid scarlet; then,
as the heat grew more intense. il. be-
came white-hot and shone like the
MONDAY sun.
THUS far explained Professor
Empsen. the phenomena, though i'm
pressive and beautiful, have been not
unfamiliar. AS the electricity raised
the temperature of the helium IL com
menccd TO give off waves, or vibrations,
which could be felt as heat, but which
could not be seen because they were
too low to he registered by the human
eve. Then as the heat mounted, red
rays, the lowest and slowes. which the
eye can detect. began to appear, and
we said that the bar was red-hot AS
the heat still increased. yellow waves.
which are little quicker, became
mingled with the red. giving bright
cherry color. The rod is at present
white and intensely luminous because
color waves of all lengths are given Off
in about equal proportions. Now, If
our theory is true, you will behold
something more novel. Observe that
by means of special appliances and the
unprecedented power placed at my dis
posal / am raising the heat TO point
where the shorter color waves greatly
predominate-a thing hitherto IInpos-
sible'
Even as he spoke, the white-hot
bar assumed a blush tinge. which
quickly deepeped to beautiful azure
glow unlike anything we had ever seen
before.
'Blue-hot, exactly AS my young
friend predicted cried tne Professor,
with enthusiasm. 1t should now show
violet And a moment later the violet
indeed appeared.
"'It is already many times hotter
than molten iron,' said the Professor,
but / will try 10 raise the tempera-
ture yet little higher
"What rainbow changes next?' we
wondered; but while we gazed, the
luminous arc of violet paled and van
shed; the bar seemed suddenly to have
cooled.
"a shout Of triumph broke from the |
lips of the young scientist.
~ have won,' he cried.
"'Yes, you have won,' echoed the |
Professor. For science |
,ou have won victory; for yourself |
he sweetest prize earth has 20 offer. |
Gentlemen he said, turning 10 the |
est of us, that bar which some of |
you suppose TO have mysteriously |
'ooled. has now been brought 10
legree of heat so intense that any |
feh't NOhit bt va.
a heat that its vibra-
ions have all passed above the upper
init of vision and no longer affect the
We. For just ns there are sounds too
thrill for man to hear, there is light
nd there are colors that no eye can
YER see. Behold the final proof of
What have said
"1Ie shut off the current. The
ooling crystal began 30 sparkle with
toilet light. This merged in glow
# blue, which slowly subsided 10
White heat; this sank TO red; and
ulled, and faded; again the light and
olor OF this rainbow OF helium ada
nant had vanished.
at has again fallen below the
ange of human vision said the Pro-
essor. exultantly. The demonstra-
ion is complete"
Wasn't it a perfectly lovely expert
nent? Only, do you know, those
ays that we couldn't sec tanned my
ace worse than n summer in the coun-
~. Aunt Julia hardly knew me; but
Arthur didn't seem 10 mind
Now, there's just one thing moro
hat want 20 show YOU. Here IL is:
Mr.. and Mrs Amos Storm
request the honor OF your presence
at the marriage of their niece,
Josephine.