The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-13
A HEART SEARCHER.

I was Professor Peppers only heir
Among his effects found in his laboratory
after his untinely departure was the
curious mechanism he called his "heart
searcheF.'' In appearance it resembled
Waterbury watch OF its internal meohan-
ism know nothing Professor Pepper re-
garded the instrument as the greatest in
vention of the age, and he always refused
to explain it's principles of construction,
as he had an idea that if the world knew
how 1t was made the market would be
flooded with imitation heart searchers
Fortunately for me the professors in
vention was accompanied by card of ''di-
rections for use," so that I had no diff
Guilty in testing its great value as an aid
in the search after truth. The instru-
ment had q face like an ordinary watch,
except that there was only one hand or
pointer, and in place of the usual II figures
there were the names of the moral and
immoral sentiments. At the top, opposite
the stem OF handle, was the zero mark,
and when not in use the pointer rested at
the zero or neutral mark. From the stem
extended two insulated wires about yard
long. and at the end of these wires was q
fiat ivory disk that could be easily hid in
the hand
My first experiment. with the professors
heart searcher was calculated to inspire
confidence in the invention. 1t told the
bfutn WIN TeIr6S01QR 6XaCGlCuQ0. L nAQ
at the time of professors demise been
dwelling in state of rather distressing
uncertainty concerning the feelings of my
fourth cousin, Amy Clinket, toward my
self. My own feelings were quite clear
at least to myself. She seemed to be all
that was most desirable in a young wom-
an. wanted to tell her how much loved
her and had not dared, being uncertain
of the result of any such declaration. The
heart searcherl Fortunate legacy 1t
might tell me all, and then 1 could cheer
fully propose, knowing in advance that
WOuld be accepted.
First, it might be desirable to test the
heart searcher upon some minor subject
1t was the first experiment that led me to
press boldly forward in the search for the
pure truth. I placed the heart searcher in
my vest pocket and secured it there with
watch chain, to give the impress
sion that had my watch with me The
wires l passed through the sleeve of my
coat, leaving the ivory disk just hid in my
cuff. Thus armed set forth in the quest
of the unknowable. I took the trolley car,
intending to make calls. In the car 1 met
my young niece Diana, aged z. Slipping
the disk into my hand, cordially took her
hand and pressed the disk against her
active little pulse. Pretending to be alb
sorbed in learning the time of day, asked
her sundry questions, and at once saw pic
tured on the dial of the heart searcher
every passing change in the dear child's
transparent nature.
Are you not glad to see me, dear?''
The pointer swung slowly around to
"delight'
What are your views, my child, upon
the subject of caralnels?''
The pointer on the dial promptly moved
to 'hope. This was significant Clearly
the heart searcher was a most important
invention.
The dear child at once expressed herself
as interested in caramels, concluding her
remarks with the information that she
knew Of place where they sold ''two for
g." Manifestly the instrument and my
young relatives words did not agree. She
was evidently torn with conflicting emo
tions, for the pointer quivered slightly and
moved to disappointment She did not
wish to plainly ask for caramels, and yet
in the deep recesses of her young heart she
hoped I would give her some.
"I'm very sorry, my child, but I have
no caramels with me. II had only known
1 should meet you, would have brought
some with me-"
The pointer was greatly agitated and
vibrated between Disappointment and
doubt "
at once offered the child a dime, and
to my a1nazement the dial indicated ''dis-
appointment only.
''Oh, I beg pardon. Let me see. Was
that a quarter? Dear me. I'm sorry 1
made such a mistake. Here's quarter. -
At onco the pointer swung swiftly to
"delight."
The heart searcher was a triumphant
success. I squeezed the dear child's hand
once more The dial marked gratitude. -
'tGoodby, dear. must get off here. :"
She smiled sweetly and said, "They give
10 for q quarter. - This seemed to be truth
based upon experience and did not need
examination by the professors wonderful
instrument
As l left the car I saw young Brown OF
our Office walking quickly down the
street, as if in haste to catch a train.
graspe1 his hand fervently. my dear boy,
I'm so glad to meet you. How is your
mother and your sister-in-law and your
brother, Theodore Augustus? You have
plenty of time, remarked as PRETENDED
to look at my watch.
He pulled his hand away and said in
his usual breezy manner: "Delighted to
meet you. Goodby-train-awfu late.
By
He was gone, and I gazed upon the
white face of the heart searcher. Although
disconnected with my friends pulse, the
pointer still fingered at botheration." 1t
was more than an hour before it finally
settled back to zero. Brown had evidently
a very powerful emotional nature.
The heart searcher was a remarkable in
strument. 1t reported the exact emotional
truth concerning the subject. 1t was in
deed boon to bashful lovers. They could,
by it's skiIlful use, ascertain the exact state
of the beloved ones heart without the dis
tressing uncertainty of formal proposal.
1 would at once put it to its greatest test.
If it proved successful, L could proceed to
manufacture heart searchers upon large
scale, and no doubt live in comfort upon
the resulting profits.
Amy was at home when I called, and
when I shook her hand warmly glanced
hastily at the telltale dial pectation."
! This was encouraging I would proceed
to unfold my tale of love. still held her
hand with loVerlike fervor and staInmered
forth my blushing confession. At inter
walls 1 glanced at the white face of the